Neither rain nor hail nor snow ... and certainly not dark of night seem
to keep the now familiar faces of our North neighborhoods' street dealers
from congregating at the corner of West Broadway and Irving Ave N. The drug
corridor called 26th Ave. N. from Penn to Lyndale and beyond, is a street
fair of drugs at every other intersection. Is it surprising that a young
woman was carjacked a hop away at 2600 West Broadway this week? NO! I am told
the recent shooting of a street dealer in the ass was welcome news to some
people trying to have homes or legitimate business's at Lowry/Lyndale. I am
sure this reflects the quiet desperation of citizens worn down by street
crime, in this neighborhood by the river, more then it reflects hate for a
fellow man. How safe are the hundreds of children attending the bright,
shiney, new elementary school just opened within this drug corridor, if
street dealers are hustling nearby?
Street dealing is nothing new for our North neighborhoods. That
officers are working hard to fight crime is witnessed by me every day. And I
KNOW they risk their lives every day and I am grateful. I have no doubt of
the efforts and huge input of the sergeants, lieutenants, and our Precinct
commander to create a safe environment for us citizens. The problem of street
sales of drugs is clear, the solutions less so.
I respectfully ask our 4th precinct commander, the honorable Tim Dolan,
to make a resolution for the New Year. He should say, " I will know longer
allow street dealers to openly sell drugs on any street in the 4th Precinct.
If I get a report of such activity, or my patrolman believe such activity is
occurring, I will assign the resources necessary to STOP the problem. These
resources will include decoys to buy or sell drugs to dealers and their
customers. At the very least, a blizzard of tickets will be issued to help
attach drug sellers and buyers to the court system and city and county
prosecutors."
Of course his own words and solutions are my goal, but the Bottom Line
is that top line, "I, Tim Dolan, will no longer allow street dealers to
OPENLY sell drugs on any street in the 4th precinct." Every great journey
begins with the first step; if we do not reach, how can we grasp?
Keith Reitman, NearNorth, walking and watching on West Broadway and
beyond every day.
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