Bob Davis, a conservative talk radio show host who happens to live in Uptown, was going off this morning about smart growth and crime. His position is all the smart growth, tall buildings and urban greenways will mean nothing if we cannot get crime under control. People will leave the city. He was commenting on what he says is the recent spike of armed robberies in Uptown. Apparently the last two involved mothers with toddlers being held up at gunpoint. (I have not seen news reports of these robberies.) He says more police are needed in areas like Uptown and says the merchants and bars may have to pay for extra police protection. He says the merchants are drawing customers who the robbers presume are carrying money and other valuables. Davis also wants merchants to put large signs in their windows saying do not give panhandlers any money. He claims a large panhandler presence in Uptown. He claims if one is used to being approached by panhandlers your guard is down and you are more susceptible to armed robbery. I hear more and more talk about the business community helping to supplement the police force. I am OK with businesses paying for private security but paying for an increase in sworn police officers needs to come from the city budget through tax increases, budget cuts or a combination of both. Bill Dooley Kenny 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
