News
Bostrom Encouraged by Gang Strike Force Settlement
Matt Bostrom was encouraged by the $3 million settlement on August 25 for victims of the Metro Gang Strike Force. “While this is a significant step in making the victims whole again, I remain concerned about how we got to this place,” says Bostrom. “What people may not realize is that while officers and administrators of the 
strike force were coming and going over the past eight years, one constant was Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher. Still to this day, Fletcher has expressed no concern, despite his own direct leadership and substantial involvement in this unit." According to the reported terms of the settlement agreement reached by the parties, after the victims are compensated, any remaining settlement dollars will go towards creating a fund to retrain officers and supervisors in community policing. Bostrom is the author of Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention of Community Policing Officers: Character Based Selection and Assessment, a study developed in concert with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Candidate for State Representative Endorses Bostrom for Sheriff
Candidate for State Representative 66A, Chris Conner, agrees it's time for a new sheriff, someone who can restore the public's trust. "Bostrom will drive efficiencies, cost-saving partnerships, and diversity, and turn vision into reality as our next sheriff," says Conner. "He knows the challenges facing our public safety agencies, our communities, and our families. And he proposes a unique and transformative vision for rebuilding a safe and secure Ramsey County."
New Chief Joins the List of Public Safety Leaders in Support of Bostrom
The newly appointed Saint Paul Police Chief, Tom Smith, joins the list of public safety leaders in support of Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. He agrees that Bostrom has the collaborative leadership skills to improve public safety for Saint Paul and all of Ramsey County: “Bostrom will make a great sheriff,” says Smith. “And I’m looking forward to collaborating with him on innovative strategies that will increase our ability to serve our community.”
Resident Writes Letter to Editor of Maplewood Review
In the July 7, 2010 issue of the Maplewood Review, Christeen Stone writes a letter to the editor: "I support Matt Bostrom for Sheriff. I am very impressed with his qualifications and proven experience as an extended family of law enforcement officers." Stone encourages her community to study the candidates and to be informed voters in the upcoming primary and general elections. The primary election is August 10 and the general election is November 2. Bostrom will be on the general election ballot.
IBEW Endorses Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 110 has endorsed Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. IBEW represents more than 2,100 workers in the electrical industry. "Please accept our endorsement for your candidacy for Ramsey County Sheriff. We appreciate all of the outstanding work you have done and will continue to do for working families in Ramsey County," says Michael Redlund, Business Manager/Financial Secretary. "We look forward to working with you in the future."
Hmong Leaders Support Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff
Several Hmong Americans have added their names to the list of Bostrom supporters for Ramsey County Sheriff. Community leaders including Charles Vu, Nucheng Xiong, Saint Paul Police Officer Charles Ly, and local attorney Fue Thao, spoke about Bostrom, describing him as “fair,” “honorable,” and “humble.” As sheriff, Matt will continue utilizing community liaisons to immigrant communities because it has made all the difference in everything from social service referrals to improved police-community relations with new Americans. "I realized long ago that the key to safe and vibrant communities is not about trying to identify the ideal number of uniformed police for a given population, but about developing and improving the fabric of safe the communities and neighborhoods – the parks, neighborhoods, churches, schools, and families," Bostrom told the Asian American Press. (AAP story and staff photo by Tom LaVenture)
Bostrom is IUPAT Choice for Ramsey County Sheriff
District Council 82 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) has chosen to endorse Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. The IUPAT represents a growing force of over 140,000 working women and men whose skills are in high demand. Their goal is to build and nuture a bond with elected officials, regardless of party affiliation. "It is an honor to award Matt the endorsement of the IUPAT District Council 82 in his run for Ramsey County Sheriff," says Nelson and Mullin. "We take our commitment very seiously and we look forward to a long and properous relationship." Terry Nelson is the Business Manager/Secretary/Treasurer and Don Mullin is the Political Director of IUPAT.
Bostrom Is Greeted Warmly at Numerous Community Events
If you've attended a community event in Ramsey County recently, you've probably seen Matt! Matt has been greeted warmly as he talks with members of the community and shares his message on collaborating with local law enforcement, restoring trust through fiscal responsibility and connecting with youth. Check out the photos on Facebook!
Minnesota Nurses Association Supports Bostrom Candidacy
The Minnesota Nurses Association, a statewide union of nearly 20,000 registered nurses, has endorsed Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. "Our endorsement reflects our whole-hearted support," says Linda Slattengren, Chair of the MNA Political Committee. Some of the criteria the MNA uses to screen candidates include demonstrated leadership ability and electability, such as the candidates' other endorsements, how they present themselves to the public, and their fundraising to date.
Bostrom Attends American Indian Event
Matt attended a powwow hosted by the American Indian and World Cultures Magnet School in Saint Paul. Brenda Peltier (pictured at right) has served as principal of the school for seven years. Friends from the American Indian Family and Children Services (AIFACS) were also kind hosts at the annual event. In the last three years, AIFACS has provided care for over 250 American Indian children who come to placement from all the tribal communities within the State of Minnesota. AIFACS also serves American Indian children affiliated with tribes outside of the state such as San Carlos Apache, Lakota and Dakota from Rosebud, Standing Rock, Sisseton, and Pine Ridge, HoChunk from Black River Falls and Ojibwe from Turtle Mountain. Watch Facebook for more event photos.
United Auto Workers Endorse Bostrom for Sheriff
The Community Action Program Council of the UAW is the union’s nonpartisan political department of the International Union and it endorses candidates on the basis of their records and their stand upon issues that affect working Americans. "The UAW Minnesota State CAP Council is pleased to inform you that you have been endorsed for Ramsey County Sheriff...and we would like to wish you success in this endeavor" says Dan Manuel (Chairperson) and James Reinitz (Secretary-Treasurer). Local and regional political endorsements are made by the UAW's 160 CAP Councils or by other union bodies action upon CAP Council recommendations. CAP Councils are made up of rank and file union members and retirees.
Bostrom Campaign Has New Headquarters
The Bostrom for Sheriff campaign has leased office space in a strategic location where the cities of North Saint Paul, Maplewood, and Saint Paul converge. At the corner of White Bear Avenue and Larpenteur Avenue, campaign volunteers will be using the space as headquarters for administration and volunteer support. The campaign is also looking at additional space in a community in northwestern Ramsey County.
Bostrom Files Affidavit for Candidacy
Matt Bostrom, candidate for Ramsey County Sheriff, has filed paperwork to officially kick-off the general election season in Ramsey County. Bostrom will be campaigning against current Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, who has announced his intention to seek reelection. “It’s going to be a spirited campaign, but in the end, one of the critical skills to the job of sheriff is the ability to build relationships to solving our most pressing problems.” states Bostrom. As former colleagues with the City of Saint Paul, John Choi, who is running for Ramsey County Attorney, and Bostrom have worked together in helping the city fight crime at its source and leveraging resources to help keep people from returning to crime. Bostrom, the author of a study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice on character-based policing, and Choi, a nationally-recognized leader on restorative justice and diversion initiatives, have proven that their shared experience and expertise will lead to lower crime rates and more cost-efficient outcomes once people enter the criminal justice system.
Latino Peace Officers Get Behind Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff
The NLPOA-PAC and the Minnesota Chapter Latino Peace Officers Asssociation are both endorsing Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. Their decision was based on Matt's views "regarding the promotion retention and hiring of Latino peace officers, civil liberties, and general Latino issues," says Arnulfo Curiel. Curiel adds that Matt's views on these issues "exceed the threshold we established for all candidates wishing to be considered for our endorsement." The Minnesota Chapter was particularly impressed with Matt's commitment to the communities of the City of St. Paul and of Ramsey County. "This is exactly the type of long standing relationship we would like to develop with our law enforcement leaders."
DFL Endorses Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff
Senator Mee Moua, Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, and Saint Paul Police Chief John Harrington introduced Matt Bostrom at the DFL Ramsey County Convention Saturday at Roseville High School. It's unusual for a police chief to support a candidate, but Chief Harrington says, "Matt has led the way on our most challenging projects, such as integrating the communication centers and using innovative technology to aid public safety efforts. As important was managing one of the largest budgets in our city with notable skill and great fiscal responsibility." Chief Harrington adds, "I am particularly proud of the Saint Paul Police Department’s success in reducing domestic violence. Our Blueprint for Safety project has become a national model and Matt Bostrom has been an integral part of our efforts from day one. If elected Sheriff, we can count on him to take our success to the rest of the county."
Ramsey County Deputies Supporting Bostrom for Sheriff
DARRT-PAC is a group of Ramsey County sheriff's deputies, including active, retired, and reserve members.They formed their committee "out of concern about the leadership, image, and reputation of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. No one can tell us what we already know so well. Ramsey County needs a sheriff who will lead by example. We need someone who will provide sound, ethically-based leadership and vision to our deputy sheriffs and our citizens. For these reasons, we have endorsed Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff. Matt Bostrom will bring a new sense of duty and honor to the office of Ramsey County Sheriff. Controversy will be replaced with cooperation. Negative headlines will be replaced with real accomplishments. And the citizens of Ramsey County will have a sheriff of whom they can be proud. Please join us in supporting Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff."
DFL Veterans Caucus Endorses Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff
The DFL Veterans Caucus endorsed Matt Bostrom for Ramsey County Sheriff because he “stood apart with astrong commitment to serve our veterans,” says Trista Matascastillo, chair of the caucus and military veteran who served in the Navy, Marines, and Minnesota Army National Guard. “Matt Bostrom is committed to training line officers to recognize and identify someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis and ensuring that anyone who has served in the military is identified and connected with appropriate services” said Matascastillo. “This includes mental and physical health services, shelter, and chemical dependency services.” As sheriff, Matt Bostrom also plans to partner with veterans organizations at job fairs to recruit from this strong pool of qualified candidates.