Dennis Plante said: A week ago Friday, at about 12:30 AM, my wife and I called 911 as there was a group of roughly 40-50 youths in the middle of the street (in front of our house) causing a very loud disturbance. The reason they're congregating there? There are two (2) portable basketball hoops opposing each other on the side of the street.
Three squads responded in short order, and when the kids saw the squads coming, they scattered immediately. The next morning, our suspicions were confirmed when we found a 5" knife lying in our front yard. One of the youths more than likely tossed-it as they were fleeing. As the weather has warmed-up, the number and frequency of kids playing in the middle of the street has increased. Many of the kids aren't old enough to be in school. I'm talking 2-4 year-olds, relying on the good graces and common sense of the drivers going up and down the street to come to a complete stop and honk their horns, instead of hitting them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- Keith says; I needed to visit my building at Lowry/Lyndale in North Mpls yesterday afternoon. When approaching the intersection I noted with dismay that 25 to 35 young men were streaming-about, at two corners there. They were soliciting drug sales, messing with each other, drinking, and littering with no indication that there was a time or a need for them to move on. I felt a great personal safety concern, and I did not stop. I kept on going. My three unit building, there, has a total of two individuals as occupants, an easy 50% vacancy rate, with discounts provided by me to induce them to remain at this MDC (Most Dangerous Corner). There has been an ongoing safety condition, and the practical outcome is VERY real. I can barely pay for ongoing bills and repairs, and there is NO money for long term, and needed, improvements such as tuckpointing the bricks and a new roof. I will mention that I have recently replaced the front sidewalks, residential windows, and the water line to the street among other expenses (no subsidies), leaving NO net income. I believe the permitted lawlessness and the outright unsafe condition at the street is the underlying cause of my dilemma. How can we provide, and enjoy, equal protection for all? How can we ensure a modicum of safety that will allow reasonable use of a neighborhood commercial corner at Lowry and Lyndale? And how can we make this corner safe and livable this summer? I will not wait till this year's murders at this corner to discuss these issues. So Dennis, the children are shooting hoops in the street near 26th Ave, and the young baby-daddies are slinging drugs, and drinking at Lowry and Lyndale. The rest of us are waiting to exhale. I am offering this corner as the MDC (Most Dangerous Corner) in all of Minneapolis, to kickoff The MDC Contest. I invite other residents to identify and nominate their candidate corners. I will be creating a selection process, an award, and an appropriate award ceremony. You are all invited to forward your ideas to me at this List. Keith Reitman Voluntary Chairman MDC Award Committee NearNorth REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
