The 2020 Minneapolis riots left a lasting impact on the city, with businesses suffering extensive damage and significant product losses. The chaos underscored the need for enhanced physical security measures, particularly for businesses in urban areas prone to civil unrest. One such measure that could have made a substantial difference is using safety glass laminate.

Chuck Freiberg was a long-time resident of Minneapolis and lived in a sleepy, diverse, “boring” neighborhood. In South Minneapolis, the average resident was friendly and kept to themselves, yet “Minnesota Nice” to each other.

Upon the death of George Floyd on Lake Street in Minneapolis, the world was forever changed. Having lived within a mile of the incident, Freiberg saw a disturbing paradigm shift in the neighborhood's tone. The sleepy neighborhood of East Nokomis was put on the world map for violence. 

May 28, 2020, the epicenter of the riots was at the AutoZone on Lake Street next door to the 3rd Police Precinct. A mysterious person broke the glass on the building, setting off rioting and burning of the city of Minneapolis. 

That evening, Freiberg had a USMC friend come into town who wanted to go sightseeing. This sightseeing started at a Walgreens on 46th Ave in East Nokomis. Upon arrival, Freiberg’s son and friend went into the Walgreens and saw firsthand the looting that was taking place. The Marine told Freiberg that several people in the pharmacy were stealing everything they could, including cutting open the narcotics safe. 

Upon this notification, Freiberg armed himself, blocked access to the store, and called 911. When calling for an officer assist, the operator informed Freiberg that help would be approximately 5-6 hours. The  2020 Minneapolis riots left a lasting impact on the city, with businesses suffering extensive damage and significant product losses. The chaos underscored the need for enhanced physical security measures, particularly for businesses in urban areas prone to civil unrest. One such measure that could have made a substantial difference is using safety glass laminate.

Chuck Freiberg was a long-time resident of Minneapolis and lived in a sleepy, diverse, “boring” neighborhood. In South Minneapolis, the average resident was friendly and kept to themselves, yet “Minnesota Nice” to each other.

Upon the death of George Floyd on Lake Street in Minneapolis, the world was forever changed. Having lived within a mile of the incident, Freiberg saw a disturbing paradigm shift in the neighborhood's tone. The sleepy neighborhood of East Nokomis was put on the world map for violence. 

On May 28, 2020, the epicenter of the riots was at the AutoZone on Lake Street next door to the 3rd Police Precinct. A mysterious person broke the glass on the building, setting off rioting and burning of the city of Minneapolis. 

That evening, Freiberg had a USMC friend come into town who wanted to go sightseeing. This sightseeing started at a Walgreens on 46th Ave in East Nokomis. Upon arrival, Freiberg’s son and friend went into the Walgreens and saw firsthand the looting that was taking place. The Marine told Freiberg that several people in the pharmacy were stealing everything they could, including cutting open the narcotics safe. 

Upon this notification, Freiberg armed himself, blocked access to the store, and called 911. When calling for an officer's assistance, the operator informed Freiberg that help would take approximately 5-6 hours. 

Upon leaving, a rental van without plates or other identifying marks pulled up to the drive-through, broke the glass, and the contents of the Pharmacy were then loaded into the van, and new prescription drugs were on the streets. 

Later that evening, Freiberg watched the 3rd Precinct be attacked, and ultimately be burned down. Freiberg also watched countless businesses ransacked for their products, where thieves casually walked in and out of the stores with stolen goods. Many businesses were intentionally flooded with their sprinkler systems, DVRs were stolen for their security systems, and dead bodies were found in burned-down buildings. 

Freiberg and his Marine buddy then drove around Minneapolis and St. Paul, where they assisted public safety officers and private companies in putting 4x8 plywood on doors and windows to help mitigate further losses. 

The media did not cover much of what was happening on the streets. Freiberg recalls his home smelled like a burning pile of trash for over a week from all the destruction. A couple of weeks after most of the chaos died down, Freiberg went around his neighborhood and recalled how the area had looked like a combat zone in the 90s in the Gulf. 

Less than 5% of small businesses could stay in business after the riots. Freiberg is convinced that much of the loss could have been prevented and mitigated with simple technological changes. Installing Clear-Armor window laminate would have been a game changer in risk mitigation. Regardless of internet reliability, power outages, or flooding, the covert laminate would have made the average business impossible to breach. Thieves are opportunists, and the deterrence that Clear-Armor would have provided small businesses would have been a game changer.  

Safety glass laminate, particularly ballistic-grade laminates like those provided by Clear-Armor, is designed to reinforce glass surfaces, making them much more resistant to shattering and forced entry. This technology involves applying a multi-layered film to glass surfaces, creating a barrier that can withstand significant impact and prevent glass from breaking apart easily.

During the Minneapolis riots, numerous businesses experienced looting, vandalism, and arson. The primary points of entry for looters were often glass doors and windows, which, once shattered, allowed unrestricted access to valuable inventory and equipment. The immediate and devastating impact on these businesses highlighted a critical vulnerability in their physical security.

A Call to Action for Business Owners

The events of 2020 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of physical security in safeguarding businesses. As urban centers face the potential for civil unrest, business owners must consider all available measures to protect their investments. Safety glass laminate offers a practical and effective solution to enhance the resilience of commercial properties.

For more information on how Clear-Armor’s ballistic-grade laminate films can protect your business, visit our website or contact us today. Let’s work together to build a safer, more secure future for all. 

info@casualtyprevention.com or 208-509-5455

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