5th Ward City Councilman Don Samuels Gives Weekly Address: Youth Violence

Video by Steve Hogan, 5th Ward Council Aide

In this week's video address from 5th Ward City Councilman Don Samuels discusses the recent youth violence that has occurred around the northside. While we have seen drastic reductions in crime overall, there is a crisis among the youth in our community with a deadly, devastating propensity for gun violence.

Remember, call 9-1-1 when you see suspicious activity. If a crowd of youth is gathering, go ahead and call 9-1-1 and report the gathering, it might save a life. If it turns out to be completely innocent, the worst that will happen is your block will have an extra squad car rolling by.

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City Councilman Don Samuels Responds To Shooting In The Jordan Neighborhood...

Contributed Photos, blog post by NoMi Passenger

Those who know Don Samuels, city councilman for the 5th Ward of north Minneapolis, won't be the least bit surprised after reading this blog post. After a recent house party in the Jordan neighborhood that resulted in a young lady taking a bullet in her buttocks, the 5th Ward council member drafted a letter to the neighbors in that area and hit the streets in action. And no, it was not due to coverage on this blog. He was already in action when this blog featured the brief story about another house party ending in another shooting.

Councilmember Samuels braved the cold weather and ...

... unshoveled sidewalks along with his council aide Steve Hogan (whom I call the "new Jose") and another constituent to reach out to the neighbors around 25th Ave N and Hillside Ave to let them know that his office was aware of the recent violence and he is prepared to stand in the face of it and chase it out of the community. With their anonymous, confidential help he is ready to take back their streets in the hopes of peace and safety.

This is what Don Samuels was doing before he was elected to the city council in 2003. And through his leadership we can all be better equipped to take action in pursuit of a healthy, safe community for everyone who lives, works and plays in north Minneapolis.