Evidence has been called for. Vicky and Peter S. and Jim G. have provided it (see below). Ron provides evidence in each chapter of his book and regularly in his bi-weekly column and daily web log at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com. And what about Black Youth? Of interest to both sides of the ticket and cleanup discussion should be the evidence regarding the state of emergency regarding Black youth as Ron discusses in two of his blog entries, #93 and #90, and the statistics from a study he reports in his book, pp. 154-156, and in his "Occasional Papers" section of his web page, in the paper State of Emergency For Black Youth" at http://www.theminneapolisstory.com/pages/emergency.html I believe this relates to much of what Vicky, Peter S and Jim G., among others, are saying, and particularly so to our country's continued lack of developing a coherent approach which has left the cities open to the premeditated (and often unreported and unpunished) violence Vicky reports that occurs in the "contained" areas. Ron asks the question in his new column Wednesday, when he writes about THE HOLLMAN/HERITAGE PARK SAGA CONTINUES and then makes this statement: A LITTLE BIT OF POISON IS OK; AFTERALL, THESE ARE ONLY BLACK CHILDREN (read it at www.TheMinneapolisStory.com). It suggests we could ask the same question about Black on Black crime. It seems to me that the common thread is the missing answer to Vicky's question, "What is the purpose of City government anyway?" And the answer all would be seem to be saying is, to a greater or lesser degree, "public safety," which the discussants have claimed has come to the White suburbs but not Black neighborhoods. My belief is that the answer regarding the process to follow to close this gap is found in Chapter 17 of Ron's book, "The Minneapolis Story, Through My Eyes," soon to be at your local library. Think what the amount now being paid in debt service (twice that spent on police) could to for such a process. Peter Jessen, Portland
Vicky writes: I suggest setting higher standards for everyone, starting with ourselves. We must pay attention to the SPENDING side of the budget equation and insist that our money be used to PROTECT EVERYONE. Only a small amount (8%) of the City's budget is spent for Police. What a disgrace. If you are really tired of being taxed and fined out of your homes and businesses, take action. Call, write, email your Council Member. Call, write, email your Mayor. Call, write, email your State Representative. Call, write, email your State Senator. If these people don't hear from you, they assume that their actions are brilliant and wonderful. Vicky wrote earlier: I am getting the distinct impression that "black on black" crime doesn't matter much in Minneapolis. Peter Schmitz writes: Victoria's distinct impression regarding black on black crime, I'm sorry to say, is correct. Jim Graham writes: The City of Minneapolis and their "Non-Profiteer" buddies collude to violate City laws and ordinances by concentrating poverty and "Supportive Housing" in a few poor neighborhoods of color. ... The Chair of the Zoning & Planning Committee and member of the Planning Commission argues that such practices are discriminatory and illegal, what did the City do? Just wait until she left office and continue on with their illegal activities. But thanks Lisa you tried. ... That discrimination is a crime! Perhaps we will only solve the other crime problems when we start to solve the City's crimes against poor people! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Victoria Heller Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:15 AM To: Minneapolis Forum Subject: [Mpls] What do you folks care about? David Brauer wrote: "..........I'll bet a lot of people on this list worked really hard last year and two years ago, etc. to fight a much larger dynamic that results in fewer cops, more crime, fewer prosecutors and public defenders, and financial pressure against incarceration/rehabilitation. They lost. " Vicky responded: Wrong again David - they won! Steve Minn got his Stone Arch Apartments, and a mighty fine management contract for his wife. The Park Board got its lavish headquarters - already over budget. Brookfield Development got $37.5 million. McCaffery got Block E. NRP and its paid activists got funded - with debt. CSM got its ice skating rink back to convert into a corporate conference center. Target Corp. got its property taxes reduced. Glen Taylor got a free ride on taxes, plus renovations. The theater crowd got a new Guthrie. If you look at the City's financial statements, you will see that Police and Fire expenditures are at the bottom of the totem pole. Minneapolis spends more on INTEREST expense than it does on Police. Your argument reminds me of the family, having just bought a new Mercedes, demanding food stamps because it has no money left for groceries. Now that the 2004 budget is in play, it would be nice to see the 2002 financial reports. I keep checking the City's website for the 2002 CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report) -- but its not there yet. [Note that the largest companies in the world must file their tax returns by March 15th.] snip The issue we're working on is the vast UNDERreporting of Minneapolis crime. You see, when my caretaker was attacked - there was NO police report - until I raised a stink. A month ago, there were SIX shootings in Phillips - NO police reports. All of these violent crimes, because ambulances were dispatched, were recorded as "medical" calls - right up there with heart attacks and insulin shock. If the VICTIM doesn't specifically request a police report, IT IS NEVER RECORDED!!!!!!!!! Did you know that only 4 criminals, OUT OF 1,200, were prosecuted by the City Attorney's office? I was shocked when Luther Krueger (CCP Safe) told this to the Cedar-Riverside Business Association last month. And get this - the City Attorney's office "doesn't know how that happens." I asked Luther if someone forged an attorney's signature on the other 1,196 dismissals. More on these subjects later.......I've got work to do and criminals to catch. Vicky Heller North Oaks What is the purpose of City government anyway? TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
