Dennis, You certainly have my empathy, and I think you've every right to be outraged.
What's happening in North Minneapolis, as well as in certain parts of South Minneapolis, is, well . . . capitalism. That's why I think it's counterproductive to maintain the drug laws we have. A practical and humane solution would be to legalize and zone. This would get rid of the riff raff that's making your neighborhood unsafe and unlivable. But because doing the right and sane thing would undermine the wealth and power of a very privileged class in this country, neighborhoods like yours are going to suffer, just as I risk my safety riding my bike to work in the Seward neighborhood from where I live in Uptown. >From my workplace I've made a few 9-1-1 calls myself, regarding loiterers who are aggressive and inebriated. And I've gotten the same response you've received. The police, I was told, were occupied with more pressing emergencies. Face it Dennis, in Minneapolis, as well as the rest of the United States, politicians in charge are comfortable containing crime in the low income neighborhoods rather than getting rid of it altogether. That's capitalism for you. And while your neighborhood and the neighborhood where I work are being under served by the police, and therefore unprotected, our City Council votes to extend extra protection to downtown with surveillance cameras provided by Target. My advice to you is to contact Michelle Gross and the good folks at CUAPB. Not only do they take calls regarding acts of police brutality, but they log complaints from citizens who have been refused police protection. I hope this problem becomes a major issue in our next city election. As I've said before, the New Guard at City Hall has turned out to be considerably worse than the Old Guard. Shame on our Police Chief, the Police Federation, Mayor Rybak and our current City Council.--------Peter Schmitz CARAG
--- Begin Message ---I understand that the City is currently going through tough financial times. However, I would be interested in views on the following.
As a neighborhood, we've been successful in "cleaning-up" the activity at the corner of 26th & Knox Av N. However, the activity was only displaced one block, to the corner of 26th & James (actually closer to my home).
On Sunday, my household (among others) made 911 calls related to drug dealing, gambling AND public urination/exposure on this street corner.
As I write this, there is a group of 10-15 young men in LAWN CHAIRS gambling and dealing on the corner. There have been numerous calls placed to 911 in the last 1-1/2 hours regarding this activity, yet we are all told that a "squad is not available at this time".
Last time I checked, between my property taxes and the income I've generated for the city through permit fees, etc.., I believe I've paid for a fult-time police officer myself. I'm not asking for anything special. Just a resonable response to what I think is a reasonable request. Yet, when I call the desk at the 4th precinct, the usual response is either "if you want better service, talk to the Mayor's office about the recent budget cuts", or "you should really call the City Attorney and get some of these guys locked-up so we don't have to arrest them again". I really truly wish that someone could point-out where I'm being unreasonable in my expectations.
What was the name of that movie Michal Douglas did not too long ago about the lower middle-class white guy in the inner city that goes ballistic - Falling Down?
Thoughts/empathy appreciated
Dennis Plante
Jordan
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