In this post I am not wanting to open a debate on county issues....but the issue below specifically impacts Minneapolis and , in my opinion, will disproportionately negatively impact homeless persons in DownTown Minneapolis. At a recent County Commissioners meeting I attended on March 1st, a resolution was approved to put more money into "cracking down" on livability crimes in the Mpls. Downtown Area-- I have the resolution in front of me and here is one section: ".. be it resolved, that three additionally funded probation officer positions be established...and that four additionally funded Sheriff's Deputy Positions be established...to begin working in tandem with the Minneapolis Police Department First Precinct to intensify efforts to serve warrants in downtown Minneapolis no later than April 15, 2005..." As Commissioner Opat pointed out at that March 1st meeting, there is no plan behind this and no accurate, well-researched facts were presented at that meeting. Despite that, the resolution passed. What was pointed out by County Public Defender Lenny Castro when asked for his feedback by the Commissioners, is that this will not work, as it does not get at the deeper issues underlying livability offenses facing Mpls. It just moves the problem around. Further, the issue of the treatment of homeless persons downtown was not addressed in a substantive manner. Although it was heartening to see that the issue of homelessness was discussed at length by the commissioners. I attribute this to the efforts of Commissioner Dorfman and homeless advocates who are pressing more and more to decriminalize homelessness. Commissioner Dorfman voiced her concern that the above resolution will be used to target homeless persons, to further criminalize their plight, rather than really look at solutions to relieve their situation. This sort of "Law and Order" approach, although it may appease in the short run, does not really get at resolving problems. And of course, is the harassment of homeless persons the best use of Police and County Sheriff Officer's time? >From the Police officials I have been able to get feedback from, they really are not wanting to spend their time serving warrants, citing homeless persons for "crimes" that simply consist of having no where to go to get off the streets. Margaret Hastings-Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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