"Yes, the benefit to this decision is that we will all continue to be able to drive the boulevards in more affluent neighborhoods and view the magnificent foliage. And continue to keep the "dirty little secret" of the northside out-of-sight and out-of-mind."
Just so they do not feel totally discriminated against, let me assure Dennis and Northside residents that the same situation also occurs on the Southside. It is not a matter of Northside - Southside, it is a matter of "Impacted" poor minority neighborhoods being discriminated against on both "Sides". Believe me Dennis, the improvements on the Southside have NOT come because of efforts of politicians, those improvements have come because of efforts of residents and sometimes in spite of the City Politicians.
Britt Robson says,
"But it doesn't really answer Mr. Brauer's question, unless Mr. Graham really would countenance and endorse Mayor Rybak stripping NRP of all its funding and entering into a partnership with Basim Sabri, provided that those things guaranteed additional revenue that could be used to support public safety."
To start with, Mayor Rybak has NO power to strip NRP of anything. If Mayor Rybak had any real power over NRP, then why has Rybak not fully fund NRP as he promised so many times when he was running for the job? Rybak can cast a vote on the NRP Policy Board, and attempt to influence other voters, but the Mayor does not get to unilaterally make decisions about NRP as if it were a private slush fund. (Though the Mayor and Council's attempt to cut or kill NRP is probably due in part to Neighborhoods, County Commissioner members, and some others not allowing the Mayor and CM's to continue to use NRP as a slush fund).
And while the Mayor's only veto in four years in office was in favor of Basim Sabri, I doubt he will attempt raising funds and adding police because of any partnership with Sabri. Remember Sabri is bound for that long term, all inclusive, vacation resort called the "Federal Prison". Like another arrogant criminal named Al Capone found after his convection, Sabri's politician friends are discovering amnesia faster than a New York second. Sabri's crime organization will go on, but Basim will have to run it from the pokey. It worked for Lucky Luciano and Martha, so who knows?
So let's say you hire fifty "new" street cops at 3 million per year. Then assign fifty seasoned Minneapolis police officers to a task force to directly attack gangs and street crime. Would that make a difference if they came to work each night with the sole purpose of hunting drug gangs and street criminals? Would fifty additional "eager seeker" cops hunting criminals in a small area like that "two square miles" that Dennis talks about make a difference? I bet it not only would, but if the police then moved to stay with the crime wherever it next appeared, we might actually drive these criminals out of our City. How much economic development would such a responsible investment by our "leaders" generate? We know that property values for both commercial and residential property is degraded by the perception of that area as dangerous and crime ridden. The additional tax revenues would probably pay for the investment directly. Maybe try Tax Increment Financing. Have the increased tax revenue pay for "Public Safety" like they pay for real estate development.
Speaking of taxing, the "poor neighborhoods" already pay more than their share of taxes. Remember, they are far denser than more affluent single family neighborhoods and because of their density of rental property they pay a disproportionate amount of taxes. Renters simply pay a disproportionate amount of property taxes, without receiving nearly the same services.
The residents of Jordan should be mad as hell about what the present politicians have allowed to happen. They should be screaming bloody murder about crime being "contained" in their areas. But the rest of Minneapolis should also be mad as hell at these "Executives" who have allowed the City to start down that road to the bad old days.
As Dennis says we can find 150 million for a new library (and I don't know how much for Elm trees), but can't find 3 million for additional (still not adequate) policing? Something is just wrong with this picture. Our City leaders remind me of someone reviewing architectural plans and paying a contractor to build a three-season porch onto a house that is on fire. And when questioned about it saying it is alright because the credit cards are overdue and your pay was cut. I think it is time to cut the bull! I think the "leader" should show a little of that "Executive" responsibility and put out Minneapolis' fires first. If they do not have at least that level of responsibility then we should simply "hire" new executives that do understand their jobs and responsibilities.
Michael Thompson asks for a definition of non-essential services and contends that "services" are some how equal. Michael, "essential service" are those that are mandated by law. I am sorry to be self centered, but stopping my neighborhood kids from being offered drugs and threatened with guns is just more essential than "summer art camp"! The real problem in Minneapolis is someone could even make such a comparison. Public safety (including fire and police), sewer and water, are essential services. They are essential to the safety and health of the residents. Everything else is an extra. We should take care of the essentials first, (for everyone equally) then deal with other issues. We in poor neighborhoods know we will never get the amenities equally, but please do not compromise the health and safety of our children. We are tired of being containment zones for crime so that the rest of Minneapolis can feel more secure.
The number of Cops we need is the number adequate to stop open drug dealing and crime, so that ALL neighborhoods and residents are equally safe. When you have that level of safety then go ahead and allow attrition to lower the number of officers. Until then it is irresponsible management to allow gangs and open drug crime to rule certain areas of Minneapolis. Add more if we have another crime wave. It is called resource management and good leaders and executives should exercise such management for a change. Clearly they have not, or we would not have the problem. Minneapolis needs to establish a reputation among the crime business world as a very bad place to do business. It certainly established the reputation as one of the best places a few years ago. Then and only then will we need fewer cops.
And Margaret, more and better policing should not equal more harassment of the homeless. Just the opposite. Being homeless is not a crime and the homeless should not be treated as criminals. We do not have a shortage of real criminals to take up the time of police officers.
Minneapolis needs a lot more beef and a whole lot less bull.
Jim Graham, Ventura Village
"It is always an utter folly to underestimate the lure and attraction of a great evil. The whitened bones of their victims litter the highways and byways of mankind's history. Stopped only by the few willing to pay the ultimate price and make a stand."
- Toe
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