Is this really about the police? Or is it about the inability of our
administration to envision a community that supports both it's citizens and
it's police force? Or is it about the effect of other areas of our
administration that fail to recognize what is not working in our
communities? Or is it the lack of vision and vitality our city leaders have
while they are more bent on climbing the next rung in the DFL ladder? Or
cozying up to big downtown developers? Or worse yet, sticking around for 20
years because they believe nobody else can do the job.
We have a city that has rested on it's laurels and those laurels are pretty
low as far as I'm concerned. A friend of mine who used to live a block from
me moved to a suburb because she believed the suburban government was less
corrupt and that the suburb understood basic services better. This past
summer she had vandalism to her flower pots and a police officer actually
came out to investigate. I'm not kidding! In my several instance of
vandalism, I've called and left a message to a recorded machine and nothing
has ever happened. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what our officers can
do, but I think the problem rests clearly with our mayor and city council.
They decided that we are going to be a tourist trap with a huge convention
center and lots of mega retail and glitzy entertainment downtown. They want
us to be a consumer city. As far as I'm concerned, their vision only
creates low paying jobs and wastes taxpayer money. And in terms of policing
they went after the Murderopolis track and got lost on a train to nowhere.
Now they can't figure a system out that can really serve AND protect.
I'm outraged that Holle Brian was attacked in her kitchen. I'm outraged
that when I called the police about a burnt drug spoon in my alley they just
said they were watching several houses in my neighborhood and no one ever
came out. I'm outraged that when my house is vandalized or something is
stolen that all I get is a recording and no investigation. I'm outraged
that someone can commit arson at my local video store and no one is ever
caught. I'm outraged that a sex offender identification on my block can be
completely mishandled by our police and nothing is done about it. I'm
outraged that a drunk can threaten and abuse me in front of my 4 year old
and nothing is done about it until he threatens someone else a second time.
I'm outraged that I catch someone breaking into my neighbor's car and all
they get is probation. I'm outraged that a thief smashes into my car with a
stolen vehicle and the police only sit in their cars and write up a report
while I stand outside freezing in below zero temps. (Do you think they could
have invited me into their vehicle to stay warm, huh?) I'm outraged that a
police officers lets a drunk lady get into a car and drive off without any
notice. I'm outraged that it takes six months in this city to get an
illegal business out of a residential neighborhood. I'm outraged that a 911
operator can leak information and apparently nothing is done.
But mostly, I'm outraged that we don't have a better vision of ourselves
that the police, city attorney, courts, city council and our mayor aren't
outraged enough that we can't have a better environment to live in. It is
time to quit resting on our laurels and kick this city up a notch.
However, I am thankful for one thing. There are a great many new people
willing to replace the status quo in this city. I just can't wait til next
November.
Russell W. Peterson
Standish
Ward 9
