A new program designed to keep people safe on Nicollet Mall downtown Minneapolis.
It's not every day you see a golf cart on Nicollet Mall, but for the summer, two security guards will be making their way up and down the street to keep people safe.
"They're unarmed, but they've got a lot of training," says Shane Zahn with the Minneapolis Downtown Council.
"You know, they've already got over 600 miles and they only patrol Nicollet Mall from Washington to Grant, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
He says they are there to build trust with the community, and be there when needed.
"Yesterday, a guy in a wheelchair was having heat exhaustion," Zahn said. "They had cooling towels in the golf cart. We were able to put him over, call 911 for EMS, stay with the person until EMS could get there."
Zahn says the security can play multiple roles on one of Minneapolis' busiest streets.
"From de-escalation to check welfare, this role is about building trust in the community," Zahn explains. "Not rotating security officers here. Officers that understand the community and get to build trust in the community."
The pilot program runs through the summer.