Even former law enforcement have publicly stated they wouldn't use the pouch.

On Thursday, September 16 the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced their new campaign to reduce deadly encounters between drivers and police -- with "not-reaching pouches."

"Our troopers, along with several law enforcement agencies across the state, want to make it easier for drivers to store the information and for law enforcement to see when motorists are reaching for documents," MNDPS posted on Twitter. The post included a photo of a pouch.

According to a statement by the department, the pouch's intent is "to store a person's driver's license, and insurance card in a pouch that's kept in plain sight in the vehicle on an air vent or other visible location." The Not-Reaching Pouches were created by Valerie Castile -- mother of Philando Castile, who was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop for a broken taillight in 2016 -- in partnership with Jacquelyn Carter. The hope is that the pouches will make it easier for drivers to store the information and for law enforcement to see when motorists are reaching for documents, ultimately leading to a reduction of deadly traffic stops.

Get our free mobile app

Public response to the pouches has been split, with many critical or outright opposed.

In a follow-up tweet, the MNDPS said that troopers and other agencies -- including St. Cloud PD -- will be handing out the pouches during community events and other contacts with people. Here's the full list of participating agencies:

  • Minnesota State Patrol
  • Saint Paul Police
  • Brooklyn Park Police
  • Crystal Police
  • Bloomington Police
  • St. Louis Park Police
  • Richfield Police
  • Eagan Police
  • St. Cloud Police
  • University of Minnesota
  • Rochester Police
  • Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Read the full statement from the MN Department of Public Safety here.

12 Items You Didn't Know Were Invented In MN (And A Few You Did)

What Are the Signature Drinks From Every State?

More From 96.7 The River