Contributed YouTube embed, blog post by John Hoff
A regular reader thought this might be a matter too small for my blog, to which I respond: no, this is EXACTLY the kind of thing this blog focuses upon. Can anybody identify these juveniles in the videotape above before they transition from minor property crimes to a wasted life of violent felonies?
This surveillance camera video, which was uploaded to YouTube by Northsider John Fena, at about the 59 second point begins to show a couple of juveniles who...
...throw what appear to be rocks at the window and (presumably) the camera visible in the window.
John Fena, as many regular readers know, has been a force for good in the neighborhood for a number of years. In one instance Fena and his partner pulled off a renovation described by many as "miraculous," click here. Fena has also paid a terrible price for plunking himself down in the middle of a neighborhood in transition from urban blight to urban utopia. His innocent little dog was killed by a pit bull, and both Fena and his partner were injured in an unsuccessful (but brave and noble!) attempt to rescue their pet. The owners of the aggressor pit bull were both difficult to locate and pointless to sue, so in that sense...
They got away with it.
But that results in the kind of "positive anger" which can drive a Northside neighborhood revitalizer toward ever greater acts of doing good.
So now about that video...
The property in question (Fena didn't give me the precise address, and I didn't ask) is in the Jordan Neighborhood and the property had been a big piece of blight for a long time, until renovation activity by Fena, et al. But since April there have been 6 incidents of vandalism, apparently by the same kids who are (Fena estimates) roughly 10 to 12 years old. (JNS blog estimates the kids to be 14 to 16 and sadly undernourished)
The latest incident was just last night, when a truck window was busted. The video above is from a month ago, however.
Fena says he gave the video to the police in the Fourth Precinct, but like many crimes which don't involve a dead body in the streets of North Minneapolis, the investigation (if any) doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. This is where I insert commentary like "God bless MPD" and mention these police are overworked, understaffed, and if there is fault it lies with political leaders, not the police.
But the frustration of decent people in the neighborhood is both understandable and palpable. John Fena has a lot more to say, I believe, but he's free to add his comments or send me further information. In fact, I wish John Fena would become one of my new crop of guest authors and spend some time showing off that renovation, hint hint.
John Fena has done a lot for this neighborhood. As busy as this blogger gets (and, oh, I get busy) today I jump to my well-worn keyboard and I say I will not leave John Fena twisting in the wind, asking for help and getting none. Somebody knows who these juveniles are and while I haven't heard anything about a REWARD, no not yet, for information leading to their arrest...
Let the word go forth. Decent people are trying to figure out who is this little gang of vandals trying to stop John Fena's renovation of that house in the Jordan Neighborhood.
And that renovation will NOT be stopped.
We need better "stand your ground laws" in Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteThese are hate crimes , maybe on a small scale . Being perpetrated by a out of control youths that are on a downward spiral into a long term placement in a criminal correctional facilities . They have no future unless someone can intervene , whomever are the parents they should be prosecuted for the neglect and the hate they installed . And the tools that were not given to prepare these children for a future . A complete failure at a societal price tag. So sad. Are their not enough group homes for all these children to be placed ? I'm beginning to understand eugenics much better . Some people should never be allowed to breed , especially hate filled , destructive , dangerous , unmotivated losers .
ReplyDeleteWhat's hate is that ignorant and stupid comment at 5:12 PM Step away from the drugs and google hate crime.
ReplyDeleteThe clear way in which they throw each stone with force indicates hat over and over again , perhaps it is for their parents or the fact they have a bleak future or perhaps its for their parents whom have neglected to see that they are occupied and finding out who they will become . It is a waste to see youth like this . It is all to common on the northside . No hate meant to be taken from statement just people need to wake up children are not pets or a house plant you can occasionally forge to water . This community needs a major wake up. People need some obvious parenting classes seriously . What a shame .
ReplyDeleteOh by the way I have a teenage son he would never do this . Something is disturbing and wrong with youths that act like this . Any one can clearly see this , it doesn't mean I'm angry at them but their parents I am . It so sad to see people have kids just so they can lay about getting welfare benefits .
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:12
ReplyDeleteGroup Homes? Hell, the police won't respond or intervene in domestic violence cases. The courts ignore the warning signs. The social workers are never alerted and when they do they are ineffective or powerless to provide solutions. The City of Mpls perpetuates slumlord tenements that are the breeding grounds for dysfunction. A hands off policy has been established in the name of political correctness while babies spawn babies without the direction or motivation to embrace social norms. And the myth goes on that race is the determining factor that limits the potential of these youth while all along we cater to the lowered expectations that allow children to be born into fateful environments.
Try the schools, or the school officers like officer mike at lucy laney. Or nelly stone.
ReplyDeleteThe Capt.
"Captain," that is really good advice. I copied and pasted it and sent it straight to John Fena by Facebook.
ReplyDelete-* first off bitch them is my brothers and that was our house he was trying to get in but wasn't nobody home this aint no FUCKING VIOLENCE yall stay EATIN DICK.
ReplyDeleteThat was his house? Well, it isn't his house no more! Did he think to call somebody with a KEY?
ReplyDelete