On Friday, April 9, 2004, at 09:46 AM, FNA wrote:
4th Ward CARE Task Force has been addressing the many reports and concerns about hoops (games in the street that will not yield to traffic)
I didn't realize the traffic volume was that high in Folwell. BTW, traffic congestion on side streets is usually a sign of drug dealing and/or prostitution... which should be much higher police priorities than a game played with a ball and hoop.
with 4th Precinct Inspector, Robert Skomra. He has initiated a
process in the Precinct; the following ordinance will be enforced with a
one time warning. If a second complaint is received (call 911 for a
Squad dispatch) the hoop(s) will be impounded. Notices of this policy
will be sent to 4th Precinct neighborhoods, SAFE is working on the
issue.
The other night I had a couple folks in a station wagon smoking crack in front of my house for a couple hours. A block away an open air drug market persists. Methinks those offenses might be a better use of police resources than "zero tolerance" of street b-ball.
The following ordinance pertains to impeding traffic and use of the
street for playing games:"427.180: Games and fires in streets. No person
shall, within the limits of any street or highway of the city, play at
any game of ball or fly any kite or balloon, or throw any stone or
missile, or engage in any other game, amusement or exercise interfering
with the free, safe and convenient use of such street or highway, by any
person traveling or passing along the same; nor shall any person build
or cause to be made any fire within the limits of any street or alley of
the city."
And we've got laws on the books outlawing all kinds of other petty offenses too- fortunately they're not all enforced.
The Precinct can be reached at 612.673.5704, 4th Ward CARE Task Force can be reached at 612.521.2100.
There are better solutions- like putting the hoops back up in our parks and making said parks safe so the kids can play there. In the meantime I'm tempted to practice a little civil disobedience. I have a 1/2" cordless drill and concrete bits in my tool arsenal. Hoops and basketballs are cheap enough. Anyone up for a half court pick up game in front of City Hall?
casting devious eyes at a freeway noise wall in Hawthorne,
Dyna Sluyter
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