JNS BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Details on Minneapolis Crime-Fighting Strategies

Post and photo by the Hawthorne Hawkman

After the Hawthorne Huddle on violent crime issues ended (click here, and here for previous JNS coverage), I went up to Mayor Rybak to thank him for his work on this issue. And that’s when a rather interesting conversation took place. Since handouts were scarce, he gave me some of the handouts that came his way. And then he asked if I wanted to join him for the media debrief.

Even though I was taking video and notes, I was still in “Housing Director mode.” “Well, I’m not sure where I’d fit in with the panelists and I don’t want to just jump in front of a camera. The panelists and other residents should be the focus.”

And that’s when the Mayor told me that I should be a part of the media debrief because of Johnny Northside. That’s right, johnnynorthside.com is considered MEDIA. Unfortunately, I had to decline because I had to be sure I made it back to Michigan in time for my younger brother’s high school graduation.

But the information I was given describes the five strategies in a much more detailed fashion. It begins…

(Editorial notes: I added some hyphens and commas in ways that I felt made the grammar more clear. The document is otherwise unedited. Also, I wrote this article initially with no live links. Those have been added to give readers avenues to find out more information.)

Strategy #1: Continued focus on targeted and intelligence-led policing strategies

TACTICS:

1. Rapid data analysis and deployment of resources. We feel it is important to have day-to-day intelligence that allows us to modify strategies based on current events. We have maintained a good capacity to be able to add patrol resources to problematic areas – such as SOD Patrol, Gang Enforcement Team (GET), Violent Offenders Task Force, Directed Patrol, Community Response Teams, and more.

2. Putting “cops on dots.” The overriding theme of analysis-led policing such as New York COMSTAT or Minneapolis Police Department’s Computer Optimized Deployment Focus on Results (CODEFOR) is to try and put officers where the problems are happening. The presence and visibility of police officers prevents crime and makes people feel safe. We try to stay visible in those areas by doing traffic enforcement, beats, and adding additional personnel for saturation patrols.

3. In addition to working crime patterns, our newest analytical techniques focus on areas of specific crime and active suspects in order to “predict” where they will be active next – predictive analysis. Our new Strategic Information Crime Management Unit (SICM) identifies such areas and active individuals. In addition to SICM, we will soon be opening and operating a Strategic Information Center which will have analysts, who monitor today’s incidents, research our data, and give responding officers real-time intelligence for dealing with that incident or to take follow-up actions.

4. Every shooting incident is assigned an Investigative Coordinator. That investigator works with our undercover, patrol, and intelligence units to immediately follow up on leads and try and stop any retaliatory shooting(s).

5. Coordinated response on violent crime between Investigations, Precincts, SOD, and SICM. Such efforts include saturation patrols, sweeps, and other special operations. They are coordinated with SOD Patrol, precinct CRT, the Gang Enforcement Team, Probation, MAD DAD’S, and others to try and make sure we have extra capacity to deal with busy areas.

Strategy #2: Targeted efforts on known violent offenders

TACTICS:

1. The MPD Violent Crime Offender Task Force (VOTF) is a group of MPD, St. Paul, FBI, and State Officers that focuses longer-term investigations on individual and groups of violent offenders. Several such efforts are in progress and we expect very good results. Historically, these efforts have crippled our active gangs. This effort is now a FBI Safe Streets Operation. Virtually all those arrested through this effort are sentenced to federal prison for ten years or more.

2. The MPD also compiles lists of current suspected offenders of violent crime similar to the CLEAR lists we have used to track chronic misdemeanants. The list is supported by dossiers regarding the individuals. The information includes past crimes, incidents of being shot or shot at and not cooperating with the police, and similar items. They are posted in all police roll call rooms and distributed to all members of the department.

3. MPD consistently works with the City Attorney and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to use this list to prioritize that these offenders are held on bail, prosecuted, and sentenced.

4. The MPD and County Attorney will met to develop a strategy to work with the bench on the following:

a. The scope and negative consequences of downward departures from presumptive sentences over prosecution objection that is occurring in Hennepin County compared to other counties.

b. The scope and deleterious effect of dramatically reducing bail requirements on violent repeat offenders.

c. The harm caused by delayed execution of sentences – allowing an offender time to get [his] affairs in order before serving time.

d. The harm from the bench’s hesitancy to revoke probation when an offender re-offends.

Strategy #3: Greater focus on gun seizures and preventing gun violence.

TACTICS:

1. Continue to encourage and measure vehicle and person stops in areas where gun violence has occurred or is likely. (Reported at weekly CODEFOR mtgs.)

2. Offer patrol officers clear and concise guidelines for conducting legally valid vehicle searches (Currently complicated for vehicle searches – publish quick reference guide).

3. Relentless follow-up on all gun arrests and prosecutions.

4. Analysis of the origins of weapons with ATF.

5. Prioritize DNA analysis on all gun arrests (to assist in rapid prosecution).

6. Cooperative effort with the US Attorney’s Office to ensure that all eligible gun arrests are prosecuted at the Federal level.

7. Seek internal or external funding opportunities for targeted overtime to increase uniform presence in areas where gun violence has occurred or is likely.

Strategy #4: Continued emphasis on the Blueprint for Reducing Youth Violence

TACTICS:

1. Continue successful juvenile efforts such as curfew enforcement, JCAT, and community diversion efforts.

2. Using School Resource Officers (SRO’s) during summer months to work beats in near north and south parks and other high-traffic areas.

3. Work with the Park Police to better safeguard our parks citywide.

4. Stress importance of curfew compliance to communities as a safety strategy for their children.

Strategy #5: Increased community engagement and support for community-led efforts to reduce violent crime.

TACTICS:

1. Continue collaboration and timely updates of Neighborhood Policing Plans. We’ll work with them to modify plans if necessary for these strategy needs.

2. Continue partnership and support with MADDADS.

3. Encourage and support community-driven Anti-Violence campaigns (Bishop Howell).

4. Continue our crime prevention education with CPS’s and police.

EXAMPLE:

The following is a recent example (Memorial Weekend) of the Northside detail aimed at reducing violence and taking guns.

- Lt. Lindbeck went with VJ Smith of MADDADS and spoke directly to Derrick Martin’s family (homicide victim) to calm them, explain what we were doing, and to prevent retaliation

- Community contacts (clergy) have called with relevant information due to past relationships and trust that has been established after recent incidents.

- The Gang Enforcement Team has been working effectively in two ways: 1) street suppression making contact with gang members through enforcement and consensual contacts, and 2) using informant information to make targeted stops aimed at finding and recovering guns.

- The Violent Crime Apprehension Team has been working hard to apprehend individuals who are identified in this series of incidents and for whom PC Pickups have been issued.

- SICM – Intel (Off. Emily Lehner) is getting updated intelligence out to everyone quickly, accurately, and with suggested actions when warranted.

- Our Community Response Teams and precinct-directed patrol are focusing their enforcement efforts on known hangouts for the Taliban, 19’ers, and Stick-Up Boys.

- The Park Police have talked directly to the Park Directors at Farview, North Commons, and Folwell to let them know what is happening and put them on alert to call if they see pending problems.

- The Special Operations Division Patrol has been helping with directed patrol in the areas we have identified and they have also helped in answering 911 calls (it has been very busy).

- We have been coordinating with Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park because they share our problems with these same gangs.

- Homicide is getting info to us as quickly as they can. This includes information on addresses needing extra patrol because the resident(s) are cooperating with the case.

The above effort netted several arrests including seven handguns.

This is the end of the document provided to me. JNS readers, feel free to weigh in.

Hmong Children Respond to Community Meeting

Post and photo by the Hawthorne Hawkman

After last Saturday's recent meeting between many NoMi Hmong residents and several public officials, some organizers had a discussion with Hmong youth ages 9 through 13. They told an organizer what they liked and didn't like from the meeting. It should come as no shock that the "didn't like" column was focused largely on the behavior of the police.

I was asked to publish this list, and whether I agree with its content or not, whether I think it is politically savvy or not, the list is substantive. I decided to use the same standards for what these kids wrote as I would for any other comment submitted to the JNS blog. Virtually all substantive comments get approved.

ADDENDUM: I expressed doubt regarding the "over 100 people" comment below and was later informed that organizers did a head count and tallied 91 people in attendance. More came after that count, so the claim of having over 100 people is likely accurate.

So, without further ado, the children in attendance liked and did not like the following things...

...Liked

-Food
-Everybody stood up, talked
-Nothing
-Adults spoke up
-Girls row had attitude
-Yue helped
-More time for volleyball
-Blong, parents, most powerful, said I'm angry
-Over 100 people
-Police say sorry
-I don't care what police say
-Yia say in Hmong
-Kids talk about problems

Did Not Like
-Police talked too much
-Talk about gangs, not what we wanted
-Police changed subject
-Councilmember doesn't talk
-Police talked impolite
-Police talked bad
-Police talked hostile
-Said no to Hmong translator (unclear if this "said no" was in reference to the translator at this event or to whether translators were otherwise available)
-Police only talk of gangs
-Police talk for two hours (also unclear if the time is accurate; but this is what the children said and is being reprinted here)
-Very disrespectful
-Boring
-Condescending
-Police yelled at us, we need video of his behavior
-Police talked to much
-He's scary

I was also sent the following letter, attributed to the kids who participated in the post-meeting discussion. It should be noted that although the list and the letter often say "police" in general terms, there was only one police officer present for the duration of the meeting and the discussions.

"April 11, 2010

To Councilmember Samuels:

We are Hmong students at Saturday’s meeting.
At Saturday’s meeting, we did not like police officer Lembek.
He was mad
He was mean
He said he doesn’t need Hmong translators
He doesn’t listen
He talked too much
He only thought of gangs
He yelled at us
He was impolite.
He talked about gangs, not what we wanted.
We do not want him at our meetings
He was scary
He hates the Hmong
He said we are gangmembers, and we aren’t. Our families are angry at him for saying that.
He read our list of problems, but he minimized what we said."

Once again, I wish to stress that Lindback did apologize and that many of his ideas were solid ones that deserve immediate action. I also personally disagree with the statement that "he hates the Hmong." But the responses above and the specific request to publish them here indicate a serious issue.

One other anecdote is important to note here. At one point when Lindback was suggesting a series of community discussions, he asked whether people would be interested in knowing what happens if their own child were arrested and charged with a serious crime. Wouldn't people want to understand the criminal justice system and how their child might navigate through such processes?

In short, the answer was "no." If their child was arrested, or if he did something wrong, let him suffer the consequences. People who responded essentially said that they weren't overly concerned about what would happen to their child as long as he (or she) were held accountable for breaking the law.

Later, I asked if this response was a reaction borne out of opposition to Lindback or whether it was expressive of Hmong cultural values. I was told that "you could not have an immigrant group more tailor-made to interact with the police," from the standpoint that they place a high value on law and order.

The Hmong youth and the "girls with attitude" have been calling officials to schedule a follow-up meeting so that the dialogue can continue.

Community Dialogue Gets as Spicy as Papaya Salad

Post and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman

On Saturday, April 10th, the Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing put together a meeting to discuss getting a Hmong police officer on the day shift in the fourth precinct. This was a follow-up meeting to one that happened in September of last year. In that meeting, we were told that the police contracts made it impossible to get a Hmong police officer on the day shift for a very long time.

But the MNCO folks and a Hmong attorney looked over the police contracts in question. What they found was that...

...this is not necessarily the case. Let's break down what we were told vs. what is actually in the police contracts.

First, there are three Hmong police officers in the 4th Precinct and all are on the night shift. There is one Hmong Park Police officer in NoMi, but he is not part of the Minneapolis Police Department. Both city officials and police representatives have said that putting the MPD officers on the day shift is not permitted because new police officers are required to work their first five years on the overnight shift.

The contract, however, states, "Newly Hired Employees shall be assigned to work on the Night Watch for at least twelve (12) months during their first two (2) years of employment."

Police and city officials have also said that the 4th Precinct Hmong police officers cannot be placed on the day shift because non-Hmong officers have seniority and the police union contracts dictate that senior officers have priority for choosing such shifts.

The contract, however, states, "...the precinct commander should give primary consideration to the most senior volunteer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the precinct commander is not required to select the most senior person;" According to MNCO's reading of the contract, such assignments can be made based on qualifications and abilities (such as the ability to speak Hmong) and not solely on seniority.

A police spokesman has also said that the police union contract would have to be renegotiated to permit moving a 4th precinct Hmong officer to the day shift. However, the contract states, "Filling Assignments. The Department retains the right to establish and and modify in its sole discretion the selection process and criteria used to select personnel to fill Non-Bid Assignments...Scheduling. The Department retains the right to establish work schedules for Non-Bid Assignments."

Here are several other highlighted texts from the contract that are pertinent to getting a Hmong police officer on the day shift in the 4th Precinct: "Temporary Change in Shifts...The Department shall have the right to temporarily depart from the posted schedule of shift assignments." "Nothing in this article shall be construed as a limitation or restriction upon the Department respecting the scheduling of employees..." "Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation upon the Employer's managerial prerogatives...except as expressly set forth in this agreement."

A Police official also stated that the Hmong population was no longer concentrated in the 4th Precinct as it was in 2000. Those of us who live here know that is not the case, but having a report from the Minneapolis Public Schools helps. This indicated the primary language spoken at home in the 2009-2010 school year, and showed that the concentration of Hmong residents in north Minneapolis has not significantly decreased since the 2000 Census.

The organizers and the community were armed with this knowledge coming into this meeting. Even though residents expected to hold our elected and appointed officials accountable, there did not seem to be an antagonistic attitude from the Hmong people in attendance. They seemed to want to simply continue the dialogue, knowing that a flat-out "no" was not an acceptable answer anymore. But the meeting got off to a positive start when Lt. Lindbeck and CMs Samuels and Hofstede were thanked for helping to keep some Hmong officers on board as new MPD recruits in spite of budget problems.

Organizers Jay Clark and Yia Yang helped draw out some answers from the group. There was a pattern that happened with every single family. Organizers would ask, "Are you having problems with crime on your block." The answer would be no. But a deeper conversation with kids and families would reveal that Hmong families are dealing with drug dealing, robberies, assaults, arson, prostitution, and other issues.

Then a series of questions were asked where the attendees raised their hands.


Through this exercise, we learned that virtually every Hmong in attendance was not born in the US, virtually every Hmong person did not speak English at home, roughly half of the room said they'd arrived since 2004, and only three people said they would feel comfortable having a conversation in English.

Some stories were told about experiences with criminal activity, and then Blong Yang highlighted the findings in the police contract. "The idea that this is impossible is flat-out wrong," he said.

Then Lt. Bret Lindback spoke. Lindback has extensive experience working with the Hmong community in the 4th Precinct, and in discussions afterward, it was clear he knows much more than I do about Hmong history and culture.



But there's really no way to sugarcoat his actions and demeanor at this meeting. He was standoffish and even aggressively condescending. He said he'd been having these same discussions since 1994 and expects that these same kinds of discussions will continue to happen long after he retires. He also said things like, "This is not my first rodeo," and "You had an opportunity to lecture us, now I'm going to lecture you."

And it happened again! The Johnny Northside blog was scooped by North News. Margo Ashmore put up a story about this event before I did, and detailed much of Lindback's rant. I'm going to give her credit where credit's due and also save the time of typing out a very similar version. Go and read her article.

In fairness to Lindback, many of his proposals were good, solid ideas and I hope we can get to work on them quickly. But the delivery of those proposals was not conducive to building a strong relationship between the Hmong and the 4th Precinct. Also, he later apologized for his remarks and demeanor, saying he initially felt that the meeting was designed to make him and the MPD look foolish, and he realized this was not the case.

A businessman named Her spoke about how he's lived and run a business in north Minneapolis for twenty years. He said that he wants to build trust between the Hmong community and the MPD, but Lindback's responses were not what they had come to discuss. He thanked Samuels and Hofstede for their attendance and visibly choked up when he said he was disappointed with the Lieutenant (although those statements were made before the apology).

Don Samuels spoke next.



Samuels said that he wants to make sure the request to meet with NoMi CM's three times a year is upheld, and that "an ongoing conversation is better than a relationship based on problems." He told the room he knows what it's like to be bullied and he knows what it's like to be an immigrant, although he cannot relate to experiencing a language barrier.

CM Samuels also helped smooth things over by saying that even the strong exchange of ideas that was just held was a good thing. The intensity of a conversation means people are speaking from their hearts, and not that either side should go away or stop talking to each other.

CM Hofstede followed Samuels.



She said she came from an immigrant family and that English was not the language spoken in her household growing up. She appreciated the straightforward conversation we were having, and told the Hmong community, "You belong here. I want you to stay, generation after generation."

At this point, Lindback offered his mea culpa and gave out his cell phone number, saying that people should call him if they have concerns. If they can't speak English, leave a message in Hmong and he'd find a translator.

Don Samuels said he and Council President Barb Johnson had met with 4th Precinct Inspector Mike Martin about this issue shortly after the September meeting. They all agreed that one Hmong officer on the day shift would be helpful but would not solve all our problems. Three, or five might not even do it. So we need to be creative in coming up with solutions. We need more Hmong people calling 911, an intern that could help with translation might be useful, and ongoing community meetings would be necessary.

Samuels told of his first experiences as a city council member, and how he was "tired of seeing white cops arrest black kids." But many African-American policeman in the northside had said the African-American criminals actually treated them worse because of their common race. So Samuels said he understands what the Hmong community is trying to do, but we also need to work to make it desirable for a Hmong officer to be on the day shift in the 4th Precinct.

Blong then said to the group, "If we're still struggling with communicating twenty years later, we've failed." By that time the food was ready and we got down to the best part of the meeting: the spicy papaya salad.

Here's hoping the communal feeling of breaking bread (ok, in this case, noodles) together carries over into our efforts to build a healthy dialogue between our Hmong residents and the MPD.