IMO: The STOP Unit will provide the Department some of the flexibility needed to react to crime patterns in a timely and proactive manner. If the current strategy is successful crime levels, will be reduced, eliminated, and/or displaced. It the case of the later, the STOP team would move its deployment into the area where the displaced criminals have set up shop.
The current configuration of the Department is a result of decentralization. This was a widely accepted and national industry practice of providing resources and structure to support policing on a more localized level rather than a citywide response. In theory, each police precinct was a self-contained police department, with, street staffing, investigators, crime prevention, and other police services stationed and administered locally. Special investigative functions and operations (such as Homicide, Child Abuse, etc) remained centralized. Each precinct then reacted to different levels of crime patterns and desired policing services based on need and community expectations. However in practice, each precinct became somewhat rigid when new types of crimes or new levels of crimes appeared within their geographical boarders. Patrol, investigations and other tasks are for the most part set and the influx of new crimes and patterns placed a demand on the resources that were committed to provide "localized" sets of policing services. Nor did the precincts find an effective and permanent manner in which to "borrow" resources from other precincts or divisions to problem-solve and react to crime. In some ways decentralization was too successful. Five independent police departments, whose commanders (rightfully so) were concern about maintaining staffing to provide services within their assign commands. It was difficult (but not impossible) to utilize the resources of other assignments to work on local issues. Hence STOP. In essence, a 6th precinct without borders. And commanders, in theory, no longer will be faced with conflicting staffing levels or needs. If you will a permanent flexibility has been recreated. Those familiar with the department history will recall the "flying squads" of more than 20 years ago: squads who rushed into trouble spots and then like the wind, flew out when calm and order was reestablished. But policing units such as these are particularly vulnerable to the rise of police abuse. In this current incarnation, the STOP Unit should be monitored and held accountable for its actions and levels of crimes, just as other precinct/divisions are held responsible. The STOP Unit is a welcomed addition in MPD. But be careful for what you wish for, you might get it, and will need to pay for it. Such is the problem with simply calling for more cops. How are you going to fund an expanding workforce? Federal funding is not available and as pointed out before it may not be desirable. Cuts to LGA funds have not been restored, and more cuts are on the way. There is no interest in this legislative session to create an extra tax, user fee, or sales tax to fund public safety in Minneapolis. With less than two weeks left in session, there does not seem to be any help from the state availble. Nor does the City seem to be in position to raise taxes for public safety. The City will be force to cut other services to pay for merely maintaining the status quo, let alone increasing the size of the department. It would be helpful to hear from any of the candidates contesting for Minneapolis' public offices on how this will be accomplished. What cuts will be made and what are the ranges of services that are considered core to public service? Supporting stronger, flexible, and adequately staffed Public Safety Teams may get you elected. But without a fiduciary sound plan to do so, is disingenuous. Greg Reinhardt Excelsior 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. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
