While the numbers are indeed as Mark presents them, they are heavily skewed by theft figures. Even car theft, if no one is in the car, is more of a nuisance than a threat to personal safety. The stats that matter are the ones where people are directly affected and threatened. Murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, battery, strong arm robbery and burglary of an occupied house. Those are things that concern people. Ask any woman to rate the threat of rape or a stolen car and you will get the message.
The idea that Downtown and Whittier are as dangerous as Jordan, Hawthorne, Phillips and Ventura Village is faulty at best. The statistics again are manipulated by what is included. Statistics are only as good as the collection method and the questions asked. How many of us no longer beat our spouses, or no longer cheat on them? How many Minneapolis men will not cruise for prostitutes on Broadway and Franklin? I would say almost 100%. Does these statistics mean anymore than a bad question that was asked? No Unfortunately our culture has placed a very high value on theft, and in particular car theft. Maybe it goes back to the days of hanging horse thieves. But I have a very hard time with statistics that lump rape and murder with car theft. That our society would value an automobile equally with a woman's body or life is totally repugnant. The only thing this statistic proves is that there is a high probability of the person making up the CodeFor list having his or her head up a certain part of the anatomy for including them in the same profile. Every time I see those statistics I immediately make the same observation. (I should not use "her" because I can not believe a woman put together the list of what "Important" crimes would be included) It is instructive that some in Minneapolis believe it is more important to catch those who might steal and affect downtown business than to protect a woman or child from bodily harm. Some actually believe downtown business is more important than to deter someone from selling drugs to children; a Federal Felony. I am not begrudging the crime prevention techniques for downtown, just jealous. Jealous of their importance to the City, and wishing that we in the "Impacted Neighborhoods" mattered as much. Maybe we should pool our money and hire lobbyists and high buck law firms to represent us. Do you think the politicians would pay a little more attention then? Last year we were promised that cameras would be placed at Franklin and Chicago and Park and Franklin to interdict the flagrant drug sales going on. I am still waiting. I am sure the same camera would also have an effect over North on 26th. But then criminals are not wanted downtown and they ARE expected to be concentrated in the "Impacted Neighborhoods". The relative value of Target and the "Impacted Neighborhoods" are very evident. Who got the 60 million dollars of subsidy? Between Brookfield and Target how much money has the City committed our taxpayers to? And they quibble about NRP? They should be ashamed! It is one thing to rob us, quite another to tell us they are doing us a favor and promoting development. Development of WHO? Jim Graham, Ventura Village >"Why is it the Mongols of this world always tell us they're defending us against the Mongols?" TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
