-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 9:18 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Mpls] Warmer, fuzzier police/Pretty good 20 years
In a message dated 1/15/02 4:40:40 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<<
I think that it would be better for everyone, even the officers themselves,
if police could learn to observe ordinary social conventions (especially
those regarding violence) when dealing with most of us.
>>..>>
Mel; I agree with Keith's below statements.
I have witnessed the same unbelievable disorder on the south side.
Our new Mayor should direct Police Chief Olson to order the rank and
file police, who are more than willing, to use decoys, stakeouts, stings etc.
If New York can inprove, why can't Mpls?
I have also heard that New York has a new program called Operation Clean Sweep.
They are rounding up all the street panhandlers, Horizontal Performance Artists,
and unlicensed Street Pharmacists and others who cause street disorder.
Attention: Mayor and Police Chief; we expect better!
Mel Gregerson
South Mpls.
.
Keith says; Believe this. I have stood on the corner at West Broadway and
Penn (for years), the alley north and the alley south of West Broadway and
Irving (for 2 decades), Adjacent yards to 26th and Penn (also 20 years),
night and day, rain and shine, noon and midnight. I have seen mayors come and
go (not quick enough) and police chiefs pass through. Remember ' there is no
gang problem in Mpls.' ? I have rented to murderers and murderees (and all in
between). Come see my bullet hole collection at West Broadway environs, I
took the pleasure of saving them when I could since 1982. I was shot once in
the chest in a drive-by at 26th and Penn around 1986 (BB gun to my down coat,
no damage or pain). But I have rarely seen the Police act anyway but
honorably and decently the whole time. Acknowledged that what they do out of
my sight I can't vouch for and won't.
They have always been calm and polite and cool as I have witnessed. I
cannot report otherwise and I would if there were cause, believe me. Folks,
you would not believe the things I have witnessed over and over in twenty
years in the hood. It is routine; shots fired, fleeing cars, battered and
wounded men and women, break-ins. God has blessed me so far and I have had a
few minor knocks; but I am just the Landlord. The cops have to approach and
touch these BAD, angry, dangerous types everyday, all day. And you and your
second cousin couldn't care less. You may just not know, no 'experience' and
that is OK. God bless you. But do not make hasty judgment, I have watched and
judged for twenty years on that mean street. Over and over again. I just got
back from 'today in the hood' and took my shoes off, had a glass of red wine,
and started typing for you. I observed 20 drug deals at Bro/Irving TODAY;
just our neighborhood youth making a couple bucks. But it is disruptive and
occasionally someone is shot on that corner. And sometimes a cop is injured
there too. The cops do smile, even at the offenders, and they do not yell.
Mostly they just nod their head and glance at their buddies as a way of
signaling another human disappointment in front of their noses. They put
people in the back of a car and they drive DT. And then they come back. The
cop and the offender; I never know which will return first. But the next day
or the day after, or sometime later, I will see all familiar faces on the
Avenue. And, as time passes, a lot of new ones.
Do not be hasty, do not rush to cliche'd judgment. I haven't, but I
will be out on West Broadway tomorrow, Wednesday. Dealing with the issues as
they arise, shmoozing. Doing my job and being part of the rhythm of the
street. Watching again the cops patrolling and doing their job. And doing it
with calm, decency, and a very professional attitude.
Keith, every day counts as two in the hood-believe me, NearNorth
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_______________________________________
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