Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's pandemic tattle-tale hotline sparks controversy 🔥🚨🚓🦠💉💊😷

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a hotline set up by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s in March 2020 to inform of violations of his stay-at-home order generated thousands of reports of people snitching on their neighbors for activities like playing basketball, walking dogs, and throwing small parties. The hotline was monitored by law enforcement until November 2020.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) revealed that the hotline handled around 10,000 COVID-related emails, reporting non-essential businesses staying open and violations of masking rules. One report in October 2020 alerted authorities to a church service that didn't comply with legal requirements.

Republican lawmakers criticized the “snitch line” from its inception, arguing it was divisive. Gov. Walz defended it, saying it freed up 911 lines. Criticism resurfaced when redacted emails were released following a data request. Matt Birk, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, condemned the hotline on Twitter, stating it further divided the state. Three days later, he announced the hotline had been shut down.

Kevin Gutknecht of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety clarified that while the hotline was operational until recently, monitoring ceased in November 2020. Many emails were likely spam, unrelated to the hotline’s purpose.

Examples of reports included a large gathering for a basketball game, people working out in a Shorewood park, and non-essential purchases at a White Bear Lake store. Other complaints highlighted overcrowding at Walgreens and a St. Paul police officer hosting a birthday party. Additionally, some emails criticized the hotline itself, deeming it juvenile and unnecessary.

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