Minneapolis Isn’t Lost – Yet

 

WalgreensIt’s an odd thing to see your city on the news night after night. I suppose those living in New York City, Washington DC, or Los Angeles hardly bat an eye at the attention, but for Minneapolis it’s been surreal. Those of us in the Twin Cities have a sort of little-brother complex – always chasing the coattails of other, bigger cities, like Chicago or New York, trying to elbow our way into relevancy. Now in the summer of 2020, we have our moment. And it’s not at all what it’s cracked up to be.

The initial riots and violence in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death engulfed the city like a blowtorch. But there is still a city here, with people struggling to survive, to pick up the pieces of their neighborhoods, to find hope in the ashes of their reality. There is a fight to save a city – once at the threshold of vibrancy and decency and opportunity – now at the edge of the morass.

Once the fires in the streets receded to smoldering embers, the national news outlets chased the rioters to the next blazing city. But when they left, other groups were quick to take advantage of our wounded city. Citizens were angry. Angry at leaders who utterly failed at everything except casting blame at each other, and of course, Trump. Angry at suffering economic ruin after months of state-mandated shutdowns, immediately followed by unopposed, violent rioters and looters. Angry at civic institutions that failed to protect lives and property. All the anger provided the perfect opportunity for groups marching under the flag of justice to step in and promised solutions – and radical change.

The City Council and the privileged class were more than willing to play that role of enablers to these violent opportunists. In 2015, a young man named Jamar Clark was killed by Minneapolis Police. In the aftermath of the event, a group called Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar was formed. They repeatedly protested at city council meetings, and even occupied the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct. They used intimidation tactics over the next few years to encourage not justice and reform, but to defund and formally disband the police department. TCCJ4J is a branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR), a Marxist group allied with Angela Davis and the Black Lives Matter organization. The city council, a group more interested in making sure COVID mask mandates are racially sensitive than the actual safety of the city’s streets from violence, give a platform and voice to these groups.

TTD

Outside the Iconic Town Talk Diner after being hit by rioters in May

Instead of listening to the residents of the city who are directly affected by their decisions, or indecision, the city leaders cave to arbitrary rules set by intimidating mobs. They think they can trade threats of retaliation for capitulating to lawless mobs who care nothing for the individuals, families, and businesses trying to survive an urban pandemic, let alone a viral one. A state senate hearing held in the aftermath of the violence revealed the crushing blow the city’s community absorbed. Business owners cried as they detailed watching their livelihoods burn before their eyes. The husband and wife owners of the city’s iconic Town Talk Diner on Lake Street wrote on their Facebook page, “Unthinkable and surreal…Brought down by a mighty blaze, the old bright sign illuminated for the final time, in the wee hours, from the flames that surround her.” My local Walgreens, where I and many neighbors get prescriptions filled was burned to the ground.

This was just the beginning. Mayor Frey’s infamous walk of shame at the site of the George Floyd memorial on Chicago Avenue and Lake Street is a lasting image of a city in mourning, unable to move on from old wounds; it was a violent takeover by forces who would rather see it all burn to the ground than be revived in its potential glory. And so violent crime is spiking to unprecedented levels. Tuesday, the city marked its 49th homicide. The 2019 total was 48. The future looks grim for residents who are left rudderless in communities still boarded-up, graffiti-laden, and hollowed-out. The senseless crimes don’t discriminate between black and white, young and old, men and women. Earlier this month, a 12-year-old was shot while sitting in his father’s car. There was a shooting at a community prayer tent, open for people in the surrounding neighborhoods, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. These are just two examples of the blatant street violence happening throughout the city. The Mayor’s response is to cut 100 police positions. The Governor is more concerned about maintaining his emergency powers for COVID, now stretching to September 11, than the safety of the most vulnerable neighborhoods.

But community leaders don’t care. It is now painfully obvious as Mayor Frey announced he would not fill 100 police jobs in the city. He bowed to the radical city council – the same group that has private security forces and that lives by one set of rules while subjecting the citizens to lawlessness, chaos, and despair. “There is no single policy proposal that will, in one fell swoop, undo 400 years of institutionalized racism.” With those words, the Mayor condemned another generation of Minneapolis residents to street violence and crime all in the name of anti-racist posturing. He is no leader. He is a coward and a liar and a stooge for power-grabbing, anarchy-promoting groups like BLM.

The people living here are begging to be heard, but their pleas fall on deaf ears. A Star Tribune poll released last week found the majority of black people didn’t want the police presence reduced. When a homeless shelter was announced to replace a youth activity center, neighbors rightly protested because they weren’t consulted about the change. Community groups like A Mother’s Love, Mad Dads, and We Push for Peace have started policing their own communities, mostly because they have no choice. Bob Woodson’s Woodson Center is trying to counter the violence propagated by BLM and NAARPR by giving resources to community groups that actually care about and live in these damaged communities. It will be a tough fight for the soul of Minneapolis. There are thousands who are willing to join the battle and make Minneapolis a place where the American Dream is alive, instead of the nightmare it is becoming.

If it takes destroying the city to rebuild, Minneapolis is halfway there. I hope we make it to see the other half become reality.

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  1. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    Just unbelievable. The left is unhinged. Let’s hope they are sent packing in November. 

    • #1
  2. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    Just unbelievable. The left is unhinged. Let’s hope they are sent packing in November.

    I’d like to be optimistic, but in this city it’s a real challenge. But it doesn’t mean we can’t try like hell!

    • #2
  3. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    Just unbelievable. The left is unhinged. Let’s hope they are sent packing in November.

    I’d like to be optimistic, but in this city it’s a real challenge. But it doesn’t mean we can’t try like hell!

    I hope there are grass roots efforts to get out the vote for law and order.  We can’t be timid now and just hope that others feel the way we do.  

    • #3
  4. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    Gossamer Cat (View Comment):

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    Just unbelievable. The left is unhinged. Let’s hope they are sent packing in November.

    I’d like to be optimistic, but in this city it’s a real challenge. But it doesn’t mean we can’t try like hell!

    I hope there are grass roots efforts to get out the vote for law and order. We can’t be timid now and just hope that others feel the way we do.

    Absolutely. We can’t expect change if conservatives & Republicans keep assuming our cities are lost. If we care about our communities we need to work at it-offer an alternative to disorder and violence. Strengthen families, schools (not administrators) and small businesses. They’re the lifeblood that keep cities & towns healthy.

    • #4
  5. namlliT noD Member
    namlliT noD
    @DonTillman

    First off, thanks for the report.

    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places.  (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this.  Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    To me, the big lesson here is the corruptibility of one-party rule.

    I would hope to see the few people still left in the city who care to gather together and form a political movement based on the concept of making their city  better instead of burning it down…  but I’m not hearing that.

    • #5
  6. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    namlliT noD (View Comment):

    First off, thanks for the report.

    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places. (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this. Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    To me, the big lesson here is the corruptibility of one-party rule.

    I would hope to see the few people still left in the city who care to gather together and form a political movement based on the concept of making their city better instead of burning it down… but I’m not hearing that.

    The transition from DFL to Republican in greater Minnesota is something to behold. There’s still the stubborn Blue Dog Democrats who vote D generationally, but it really mirrors what happened across America. The Iron Range and farmland MN realized the Democrats were standing for issues opposing their values and embracing the dark blue urban center of Minneapolis/St. Paul. It’s been very interesting, while very frustrating seeing the depression of voices in rural areas in favor of progressive politics- mining, climate, taxes, regulations, jobs… But from Governor Walz, both Senators, AG Kieth Ellison, City Council, one side of state congress. It’s an out of control train wreck. 

    • #6
  7. DonG (skeptic) Coolidge
    DonG (skeptic)
    @DonG

    The problem with Minneapolis is all those Leftists-socialist-farmer-Democrats.  As long as the population chooses to put them in power, a rebuilt city will be the same.   Cities should embrace a libertarian philosophy and build back the old school way.

    • #7
  8. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    DonG (skeptic) (View Comment):

    The problem with Minneapolis is all those Leftists-socialist-farmer-Democrats. As long as the population chooses to put them in power, a rebuilt city will be the same. Cities should embrace a libertarian philosophy and build back the old school way.

    I really think the willful destruction of families in the poor neighborhoods is doing the most (irreparable) damage. Life is very cheap. The percent of kids in public school who have no stable home life (or even any home) is staggering and is reflected in a HS graduation rate that hovers in the high 30- low 40% rate for schools like North High. When Administration and schools boards care more for their salaries than kids, this is the outcome. Why waste time in school? No positive male role models, shuttered businesses mean little job opportunities. It’s not a good situation that lends itself to easy answers. But feeding the city council hogs with PC slop isn’t one of them.

    • #8
  9. namlliT noD Member
    namlliT noD
    @DonTillman

    JennaStocker (View Comment):
    The transition from DFL to Republican in greater Minnesota is something to behold.

    Good.  But what about the city?   What’s happening there?

    Is there an effort to recall the mayor?  An effort to remove the city council?  Protests?  Lawsuits?  Arrests?

    It looks like no Republican even tried to run for office in Minneapolis in the last election.  Heck; the Rainbows, Butterflies and Unicorns Party (!!!) showed more initiative. 

     

     

    • #9
  10. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    I’m going to add this to give you all news that you probably won’t see on national news. Heck, I had a hard time finding it. This is video of a state congressional candidate (Democrat endorsed) beating an effigy of a local news reporter on her own property. She’s married to the president of the MPD Federation Bob Kroll. The raging mob is BLM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/kylehooten2/status/1295471158985359361

    • #10
  11. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    namlliT noD (View Comment):

    JennaStocker (View Comment):
    The transition from DFL to Republican in greater Minnesota is something to behold.

    Good. But what about the city? What’s happening there?

    Is there an effort to recall the mayor? An effort to remove the city council? Protests? Lawsuits? Arrests?

    It looks like no Republican even tried to run for office in Minneapolis in the last election. Heck; the Rainbows, Butterflies and Unicorns Party (!!!) showed more initiative.

     

     

    A lawsuit was filed by eight Minneapolis residents against city leaders for failing to perform police duties in line with the city charter: 

    “The lawsuit says that you are in violation of the charter by you defunding the police department you have gone below per capita the number of police officers that are required according to the law and the charter is the law of the city of Minneapolis it’s like our constitution”

    https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/08/18/worried-residents-sue-minneapolis-leaders-over-crime-spike/amp/?taid=5f3cfb20165c730001334233&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A%20Trending%20Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter&__twitter_impression=true

    • #11
  12. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    I’m going to add this to give you all news that you probably won’t see on national news. Heck, I had a hard time finding it. This is video of a state congressional candidate (Democrat endorsed) beating an effigy of a local news reporter on her own property. She’s married to the president of the MPD Federation Bob Kroll. The raging mob is BLM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/kylehooten2/status/1295471158985359361

    I’m afraid your title is misleading: Minneapolis is indeed lost.

    • #12
  13. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    Yeah.  If they keep voting in the same people they will keep getting the same results.  Hopefully their will be someone with some ambition that will rise to represent the real people.

     

    • #13
  14. Ansonia Member
    Ansonia
    @Ansonia

    Outstanding post, JennaStocker.
    I’m so sorry about what’s happened to your city.

    • #14
  15. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    I’m going to add this to give you all news that you probably won’t see on national news. Heck, I had a hard time finding it. This is video of a state congressional candidate (Democrat endorsed) beating an effigy of a local news reporter on her own property. She’s married to the president of the MPD Federation Bob Kroll. The raging mob is BLM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/kylehooten2/status/1295471158985359361

    I’m afraid your title is misleading: Minneapolis is indeed lost.

    I guess we will find out, but I’m not yet ready to give up. Most people have deep connections to place. It’s what forms the  framework of community. Half my family is buried in the cemetery a couple miles from the riots. I worked through college at a Mexican restaurant on Chicago Avenue. My parents & brothers live here. Good people still exist here. I want them to have a life here.

    • #15
  16. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    Ansonia (View Comment):

    Outstanding post, JennaStocker.
    I’m so sorry about what’s happened to your city.

    Thank you! The good people of Minnesota don’t want to see Minneapolis self destruct. We’re pretty tough. We manage through these long, cold winters, hopefully we’ll make it through this.

    • #16
  17. Jon1979 Inactive
    Jon1979
    @Jon1979

    Ihan Omar’s resounding win in last week’s Democratic primary wasn’t an election that directly impacted Minneapolis city government. But it was a sign that three moths of upheaval in the city has not changed a lot of peoples’ minds in terms of backing hard-core progressive politicians.

    That doesn’t mean things can’t change when the city and state elections roll around. But it is an indication that a significant number of voters still aren’t ready to admit to themselves what’s causing their sudden quality-of-life drop, and at best, would simply rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic for now, just replacing the current group of progressive leaders with another group of like-minded people.

    New York went 28 years between going all-in on limousine liberalism in 1965 with John Lindsay and deciding enough was enough in 1993 with Rudy Giulani, with a brief pause at the end of the 1970s with Ed Koch. But lots of cities don’t have a foundation that’s strong enough to survive 28 years of decay (New York may not even have it anymore, in the wake of Bill de Blasio), and if local voters maintain the mindset the the problem is only with the fecklessness of the current politicians and not with their ideology, Lake Street 20-25 years from now could become one of those monuments to progressive urban failure, like Woodward Avenue in Detroit or Euclid Avenue in Cleveland.

    • #17
  18. namlliT noD Member
    namlliT noD
    @DonTillman

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    namlliT noD (View Comment):

    JennaStocker (View Comment):
    The transition from DFL to Republican in greater Minnesota is something to behold.

    Good. But what about the city? What’s happening there?

    Is there an effort to recall the mayor? An effort to remove the city council? Protests? Lawsuits? Arrests?

    It looks like no Republican even tried to run for office in Minneapolis in the last election. Heck; the Rainbows, Butterflies and Unicorns Party (!!!) showed more initiative.

    A lawsuit was filed by eight Minneapolis residents against city leaders for failing to perform police duties in line with the city charter

    Good.  But it’s gonna take a heck of a lot more than a lawsuit.

    There needs to be an organized group of passionate patriots who have the resources and energy to pull something off.

    • #18
  19. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    I’m going to add this to give you all news that you probably won’t see on national news. Heck, I had a hard time finding it. This is video of a state congressional candidate (Democrat endorsed) beating an effigy of a local news reporter on her own property. She’s married to the president of the MPD Federation Bob Kroll. The raging mob is BLM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/kylehooten2/status/1295471158985359361

    If the Dems had any soul left (or even any shame) they’d force this thug to resign. Instead, I doubt a single national Democrat will even condemn his actions, although they’ll probably have the excuse of not knowing about it since the national media will make a point of ignoring this incident.

    • #19
  20. drlorentz Member
    drlorentz
    @drlorentz

    Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.  – H. L. Mencken 

    It’s harsh but true. Thanks for the report and best of luck fixing your community. You’ve an uphill battle and I’m not optimistic. 

    • #20
  21. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    namlliT noD (View Comment):
    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places. (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this. Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    No, not really. Besides, I kvetch on my own site. 

    We’ve not had a return to riots and violent protests – yet – and that’s helped. I vacillate between an unfamiliar pessimism and cautious hope, because I cannot believe that the people who run this city are so  [CoC redaction] stupid they would squander and ruin this beautiful and civilized place. But the current leaders are as daft a batch as you’ll find outside of Portland, and seem impervious to the lessons of economics and human nature. 

    It’s surreal, as if the very idea of arresting criminals has become politically toxic for the city’s government. 

    • #21
  22. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    Thanks Jenna.  I’m really sorry about what’s been lost in your city.

    I tend to think of both the politicians and policies that accrete onto political organizations (local, state, federal) as barnacles.  Once they latch on, they’re hard as hell to scrape off.

    This happens because for the most part, Republicans/Libertarians generally prefer to be left alone, to live their lives as they are able to carve them out of the countryside.  This inevitably opens a wide gate for Democrats to take up positions in political organizations, and to start doing things that cement their place onto the side of the USS America’s hull.  And it creates a huge bloc of voters who will look for more of the same, or promises of more, all on the backs of the people who are too busy working and living their lives to stop and see what’s going on, and try to do something about it.

    It’s a mess.  Our incentives at all levels of government and politics is upside down.  You are trained to want to spend more money than last year.  You are re-elected more when you do that.  The net of all of this is, you’ll get more of the same, good and hard, eternally, until we create a system by which politicians are not rewarded for this catastrophically irresponsible behavior.

    Whipping people into a frenzy of destruction in order to keep your gov’t or political gig is treasonous behavior.

    • #22
  23. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    namlliT noD (View Comment):
    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places. (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this. Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    No, not really. Besides, I kvetch on my own site.

    We’ve not had a return to riots and violent protests – yet – and that’s helped. I vacillate between an unfamiliar pessimism and cautious hope, because I cannot believe that the people who run this city are so [CoC redaction] stupid they would squander and ruin this beautiful and civilized place. But the current leaders are as daft a batch as you’ll find outside of Portland, and seem impervious to the lessons of economics and human nature.

    It’s surreal, as if the very idea of arresting criminals has become politically toxic for the city’s government.

    It’s not unlike watching a drug-addled loved one reach for another hit. I’m so sorry. It’s heartbreaking. 

    • #23
  24. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    JennaStocker (View Comment):

    I’m going to add this to give you all news that you probably won’t see on national news. Heck, I had a hard time finding it. This is video of a state congressional candidate (Democrat endorsed) beating an effigy of a local news reporter on her own property. She’s married to the president of the MPD Federation Bob Kroll. The raging mob is BLM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/kylehooten2/status/1295471158985359361

    I’m afraid your title is misleading: Minneapolis is indeed lost.

    I guess we will find out, but I’m not yet ready to give up. Most people have deep connections to place. It’s what forms the framework of community. Half my family is buried in the cemetery a couple miles from the riots. I worked through college at a Mexican restaurant on Chicago Avenue. My parents & brothers live here. Good people still exist here. I want them to have a life here.

    I wish you well, and I hope that somehow you can get through to the politicians. They do seem determined on destruction, however.

    • #24
  25. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    namlliT noD (View Comment):
    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places. (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this. Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    No, not really. Besides, I kvetch on my own site.

    We’ve not had a return to riots and violent protests – yet – and that’s helped. I vacillate between an unfamiliar pessimism and cautious hope, because I cannot believe that the people who run this city are so [CoC redaction] stupid they would squander and ruin this beautiful and civilized place. But the current leaders are as daft a batch as you’ll find outside of Portland, and seem impervious to the lessons of economics and human nature.

    It’s surreal, as if the very idea of arresting criminals has become politically toxic for the city’s government.

    When is the next election for County Attorney and Mayor?

    • #25
  26. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    I cannot imagine what it’s like to have your city sink into chaos around you. I hope good people can rescue it, but I can’t say I’m optimistic. Rioting is a symptom of long-term civic rot. Craven response by those in authority seems a sign of irreversible decline. An intervention was needed when the first radical got on the city council.

    • #26
  27. JennaStocker Member
    JennaStocker
    @JennaStocker

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    namlliT noD (View Comment):
    More local reporting would be a big win for Ricochet, as a medium, and we know we have assets in these places. (I’m kind’a surprised a certain master seguecist hasn’t jumped on this. Then again, maybe there would be issues with his day job.)

    No, not really. Besides, I kvetch on my own site.

    We’ve not had a return to riots and violent protests – yet – and that’s helped. I vacillate between an unfamiliar pessimism and cautious hope, because I cannot believe that the people who run this city are so [CoC redaction] stupid they would squander and ruin this beautiful and civilized place. But the current leaders are as daft a batch as you’ll find outside of Portland, and seem impervious to the lessons of economics and human nature.

    It’s surreal, as if the very idea of arresting criminals has become politically toxic for the city’s government.

    When is the next election for County Attorney and Mayor?

    Two more years. Same for the Governor. It will be a long two years.

    • #27
  28. jeannebodine, Verbose Bon Viva… Member
    jeannebodine, Verbose Bon Viva…
    @jeannebodine

    Best of luck, Jenna. My city, Philly, where I worked and played for 25+ years, is well and truly lost.

    • #28
  29. CarolJoy, Thread Hijacker Coolidge
    CarolJoy, Thread Hijacker
    @CarolJoy

    Ansonia (View Comment):

    Outstanding post, JennaStocker.
    I’m so sorry about what’s happened to your city.

    It is such a tragedy. All the ruined businesses and ruined lives, so that the BLM-Antifa people could take center stage.

    I see the past three months as an insurrection, in which cities and towns all across America were bottomed out. Yet   no one is held accountable. (At least those who still call themselves Democrats hold no one accountable.)

    People can be resilient when re-building their lives from some outer threatening force, like floods or hurricanes or fires. But to know your life was shattered on account of your fellow Americans, with people in office insisting the violence was grief – it seems unbearable.

     

    • #29
  30. Juliana Member
    Juliana
    @Juliana

    Everyone has a line that they will not cross. When your life becomes untenable – violence, inability to maintain your livelihood, poor schools – you move on to a place where your family will be safe, educated, and prosperous. Many people will try to hang on for sentimental reasons and belief that it can get better. However, with the current crop of politicians in Minnesota’s cities – no relief in sight, and the white guilt/privilege population who support them in firm control, Minneapolis and St Paul will deteriorate. It may come slowly, or much more quickly when the cops involved with the George Floyd incident are tried and either convicted or acquitted. (Neither will satisfy the need for the mob to burn more police stations and businesses.) My heart breaks for the people who do not have the resources to leave. They and their children will rarely live in peace.

     There is a facebook group named St Paul Police and Fire scanner followers which details police and fire calls. Daily you can follow shootings, gun battles, stolen vehicles, hijackings, fights, helicopter searches, or police chases. Often, the police are instructed to stop a chase when it becomes reckless and endangering. The perpetrators get away. Recently an elderly person sitting outside a nursing home was grazed by a bullet. A grandmother sitting on her porch was shot. A month ago my daughter moved out of St Paul. Although she felt relatively safe in her third floor apartment, she hadn’t left the building for two months. She was working from home due to COVID, but did not feel safe enough to even go out for a walk with her three year old. She was a nervous wreck when her husband had to leave go to work at a nearby hospital.  It is dangerous to just go about your life. The police in Minneapolis told residents to be prepared to give up their wallet, phone, and car keys to anyone who is threatening them. Although I don’t live in either city (and refuse to go anywhere near them), we are close enough to be concerned about the spread of violence.

    With the police departments of both cities being decimated, either by intention or retirements and medical disability (PTSD), the residents of the Twin Cities will be less protected than ever. The criminals have already found a way to insinuate themselves into government (Ellison, et al), and wherein do the residents find hope?

    • #30
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