Sep

19

Crime and Safety Meeting Minutes 9/19/06

Filed Under crime, meeting notes 

Kingfield Crime and Safety Meeting
Tuesday, September 19
7-8pm
MLK Park

Attendance: 9 Kingfield Residents
MPD: CPS Tom Thompson and CPS Sarah Mahmud
Crime and Safety Task Force Chair: Shawna Gibson
KFNA Staff: Joanna S. Hallstrom, Project Organizer – KFNA

Introductions: Thompson introduced Sarah Mahmud the new CPS for Precinct 1. Hallstrom introduced Shawna Gibson, KFNA board member and new Crime and Safety Task Force Chair. All residents were introduced.

Announcements: Hallstrom handed out information about the Kingfield Community Initiate Grant and disused how the grant could be used to prevent criminal activity (alley and front porch lighting, speed bumps in alleys, strategically planted gardens and vines, graffiti abatement etc)

Gibson announced a kid self defense class (The Minneapolis Park Board is hosting a children’s self defense course at Windom Park on 58th and Wentworth.  The registration fee is $4.00 and the cost per class is $6.00.  Registration will be held Monday, 9/25 with the class beginning the following Monday, 10/2..

Resident Forum / Issues of Concern:
Issue 1: A resident at 44XX Nicollet Ave. reported late night noise disturbances and trespassing from Westrum’s Tavern patrons. The resident was informed that a meeting was held in June between the owner of Westrum’s and residents to discuss disturbance issues (see June minutes for details). Thompson reported that the owner of Westrum’s has been cited four times by the City Liquor Licensing Department: unpaid fines, sidewalk use violation (no permit for use of west side), unsubmitted 60/40 reports for last two quarters.

The business owner must pay the fines and comply with licensing requirements or a technical advisory committee (City) will review the violations and hold the business accountable.

The resident was advised to call 911 for any disruptive behavior and to call 311 to report other violations (i.e. noise ordinance violation)

Note: City Noise Ordinance – effective from 10:00pm-7:00am.

Issue 2: Residents from the 43rd block of 1st Ave reported that drug dealers park their cars on the block at random times, meet clients, exchange drugs and drive off. Residents have tried to get license plate numbers and descriptions of the cars. One resident explained that when they called 911 to report a suspicious person sitting in a parked car outside her house she was told that “people have a right to sit in their cars” and she was transferred to 311. CPS Thompson stated that these calls should not be routed to 311. Residents should call 911 for any suspicious person or activity. Thompson also explained that 911 calls are handled by the Metro Emergency Communication Center, which is not part of the Police Department. Residents should request to speak to a supervisor if they feel that their call is not being handled correctly.

Note: When calling 911 for suspicious activity residents should state that it is a non-emergency call and that it is a police call that should not to go to “Portal”  (in-house terminology that will help the operator understand how to direct the call).

Issue 3: It was reported that residents of 42XX Stevens consistently block the alley with multiple parked cars. It appears that the cars belong to guests and/or are being repaired. There are often groups of people hanging gout in the alley making lots of noise. A pit bull is allowed to roam the alley unleashed and there is possible drug dealing. The resident reporting the issue took a photo of the cars blocking the alley and was aggressively harassed for doing so. CPS Thompson encouraged the resident to call 911 regarding any suspicious activity, noise violations etc and to call 311 to report the cars blocking the alley, the auto repair, and the dog without a leash. Thompson also stated that the problems should be also be addressed via the property owner, especially if it is a rental property. The resident was encouraged to organize a phone tree with neighbors to help each other in watching for and reporting illegal activity.

Note: It is illegal to repair a car in a residential garage or driveway in the City of Minneapolis.

Note: As the current Alley Ordinance stands it is illegal to drive through or park in an alley if you do not live there. Walking through alleys is allowed.

Note: All landlords must have a phone number posted.

Issue 4: A resident, representing a group of neighbors on 44th and Stevens Ave reported intravenous drug use, drug dealing and prostitution by people parking along Stevens Ave and in the alley.  Upon description, the prostitute was identified as “Flip Flops” by another Kingfield resident who has had trouble with her and another prostitute on their block. Her location of residents was reported to CPS Thompson who will report the information to the police. This resident was advised to call 911 when criminal activity is witnessed and to rejuvenate their block club.

Issue 5: The owners of Fun Sisters reported that they are planning on building an addition onto the back of their store. Current zoning requires them to have a 5 ft set back from the adjacent building because that building has residential units above. They are concerned that the set back would create a dark, dead end alcove between the buildings – inviting criminal activity. Hallstrom advised that them to send the details of their building plan/ zoning issues to the Kingfield Zoning Committee for additional advice.

Crime Reports: Thompson reported -

Crime stats have been steadily coming down over the summer with a spike in March 06. All crime stated for the 5th precinct were down this month.

  • Auto Theft and theft from motor vehicles is still high (94-99 Honda Accords and Acura Integras are the most stolen cars)
  • There is a gun buy back program running from MLK Park to Lake Street.
  • The Troup Squad formed and then broke an alliance with the Rolling 30s Bloods and this sparked a dangerous conflict between the two gangs. Two guns were recently recovered from Troup Squad members.
  • Four Bogus Boys gang members were shot in front of Champs on Lake street. This gang wears white t-shirts and either black pants or blue jeans. Residents on Van Nest called police when eight individuals (matching the above description) were seen canvassing their block. The police responded immediately and arrested five of the eight suspects. Reportedly 3715 BlaisdellAve is a Bogus Boys hand out. The police are currently looking for the property owner, Deborah Gustafson and the tenant, Jeffery Spray.
  • “Drive by” drug dealing has been going on at 38th and Grand Ave and 38th and Garfield Ave.
  • 38th and Nicollet is a conflict hot spot Sorenos(sp) 13 and the Latin Kings

Crime and Safety Strategies: Gibson reviewed the strategies from last month, many of which were talked again tonight. The following were added or adjusted.

Call 911 to report any suspicious activity – make sure calls get routed to police.

Develop a phone chain on a block to inform neighbors of criminal activity – Have residents call 911 to report any suspected criminal activity they witness.

Join or create a Citizen Patrol walking group: create a dog walking group / baby stroller walking group / block club walk / exercise club- create positive reasons to walk.

Plan activities to get to know your neighbors: Host a cooking completion – grill off, reach out to all neighbors for block activities (include “fringe” people), do landscaping/gardening together in front yards, old a regular block get together (progressive dinner).

Invite a neighbor to future meetings of this group so that we can involve more people in crime prevention efforts.

Minutes completed by Joanna S. Hallstrom, KFNA Project Organizer

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