As stated before, arrests are one set of data. There are other sources, perhaps harder to come by that estimate the amount of money in the trade and thus giving a glimpse at the size of the customer base.
There is no possibility that the extent of the drug trade is the arrest record. When Jonathan says suburban buyers are purchasing in open air drug markets, he is referring to the entire customer base, not just arrests.
Without a modicum of security the drug trade would fade quickly. Thus most buyers get away with their purchases. Looking more closely at this perspective reveals the bigger picture and takes us into those arguments of how hard it is to police the trade.
Best,
Laura Waterman Wittstock Southeast Mpls
On Monday, May 16, 2005, at 11:39 AM, Mark Wilde wrote:
"No one is saying that no drug dealers or buyers live in the City or even in the neighborhoods, but the primary demand for drugs in impacted neighborhoods comes from suburban buyers who are purchasing their products in open air drug markets."
Jonathan Palmer Victory
Allan Knox....ran a report for all people arrested on narcotics charges from May 1, 2004 through April 30, 2005
1,836, or 71%, listed Minneapolis as their home town. 745 or 28% listed a city other than Minneapolis.
.... The majority of drugs bought and sold in Minneapolis are by people who live in Minneapolis.
Laura Waterman Wittstock Minneapolis, MN 612-387-4915 www.laurawatermanwittstock.com http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
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