MPD is more active than ever. In the past few days, I've observed a lot of MPD squads patrolling my neighborhood here in Jordan. The other night, I watched the corner of 27th and Penn Avenues North and saw 5 or 6 squads go by within a 30-minute span of time. Two nights ago, I watched two prostitutes talking with the corner drug dealer (one of about 7 who usually hang out there) late at night. After about 20 minutes, I decided I really should call MPD and let them know about it. At the very moment I made that decision, two squads rolled up and grabbed the two women.
When you have fewer officers, they have to focus on the major crimes, so lesser crimes like truancy and curfew violations don't get as much attention. These crimes increase, and they lead to bigger crimes eventually. The kids who keep cutting school end up on the corners after a while. This is why cutting officer strength is a short sighted solution to budget problems. We all realize that early education means better chance of success later. In crime, early intervention also means a better chance of good behavior later. Keeping kids in school keeps them off the streets. But when 9-1-1 gets calls about both truants and shots fired, they have to focus their resources on the shots fired first. If any resource are left, then maybe truancy will get some attention. It's understandable. It's the nature of the painful choices that have to be made when economic times are tough. The thermostat at my house sits at 50 degrees much of the time because natural gas prices are 25% higher than they were last year. I'd like it warmer, but you make the choices you have to make.
Dorothy Titus Jordan
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gregory Reinhardt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 7:12 AM
Subject: [Mpls] Do MPD promotions spark backlash? (Article)
Minneapolis had 98 murders in 1995 (adjusted for a late death determination). There are 52 victims of Homicide this year. Crime in general, has decrease significantly since then. The Minneapolis crime statistics are posted on the cities website. Please follow the below linkhttp://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/police/stats/ucr/index. However, whether crime rate numbers are up or down, it's the fear of crime that is a reality for many. Perception is the reality that many of us live by (although that perception can be obscured by many internal and/or external factors). What drives this fear? In part, conflict; which includes but is not limited to the unequal distribution of wealth, rights, social and economic mobility, gender/power, and race. The alleged racial backlash, as described by the Recorders article is unclear. Is it the race of police Commanders, the races of the rank and file police officers, or the races of the citizens which has affect crime rates? Is it citywide or localized to one or more police precinct/division? Is it officer's inputs (work) that determine outputs (crime rate)? The article would suggest so and yet does not present any verifiable documentation or evidence that this is so. The discussion of race and the causation of crime is an uncomfortable topic for most Minnesotans to discuss. Yet it is an important one to have as it will lead to a clearer perception of us, our neighbors, and community. If you need further Minneapolis crime statistics, email and I will provide the data. It's public information. Lt. Gregory ReinhardtMPD/CODEFOR [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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