A little fact for the discussion about dancing in the street fiction. Since 1989 in all of Minneapolis, there have only been 3 arrests for dancing in the street. Bear in mind MPD officers make between 50,000 to 55, 000 arrests a year. Hardly a misuse of an ordinance, or any use at all. Granted some enforcement actions do disproportionately affect certain portions of the population. However, it is most likely the result of antiquated laws, attitudes, institutional racism and/or ageism/sexism/economic disparities than by any great design.
The homeless gentleman, arrested on 3/31/04 for dancing in the street, has since been arrested 7 mores times for warrants and various other offenses. He's be arrest over four dozen times in the last ten years. He's been in the system...but the system and the gentlemen haven't meshed. Although I would not have used this ordinance to change/modify a citizen's disruptive behavior, I expect the officer used the ordinance as an alternative to the begging laws recently overturned. If there is an issue with this single enforcement action, bring it up to the arresting officer's supervisor, and request a resolution. If there is an issue with the ordinance, let's work to change it or strike it off the books. G.W. Reinhardt Excelsior 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
