Let the Good Times FLOW!

Post, videos, and photos by the Hawthorne Hawkman


By all accounts, the FLOW Northside Arts Crawl was a terrific success. I wish I'd been able to experience more of it, but I spent the majority of the event hula hooping at the Lyndale and Broadway cluster as part of the festivities. Not only did quite a few kids join in, but we received requests to youth hula hooping events in other parts of Minneapolis as well.

The hoopsters had some surprise visitors too, such as...

...Former One Man Minneapolis Officer Mark Klukow, with the Bike Cops for Kids. His partner Mike did some hooping himself, but JNS was scooped by the Bike Cops for Kids' Facebook page, which posted their hooping pictures before FLOW was even finished.




It should be pointed out how DIFFICULT it is to hula hoop while wearing a police officer's utility belt. Heck, I don't even like to have my wallet, Blackberry, or keys in my pockets when I'm hooping. So we'll cut these guys some slack.


By the time hooping was done, most of the other FLOW clusters had shut down or were close to that state, with the exception of the 5 Points Building. Before I arrived there, however, I ran across Senator Linda Higgins. Linda's been profiled consistently on this blog already, but her two adorable dogs and their political support were on full display today.



Once again, JNS was scooped by the Hillside Chronicles blog regarding the phenomenal artwork on display at the 5 Points Building, which is coming along quite nicely, as you can see. Here's what the view will be from upstairs. Once finished, I predict this office space will be among the most sought-after in NoMi.


Although I didn't get over to Broadway Liquor Outlet in time to catch famed NoMi photographer Pat Carney, I did meet up with one of the newest Hawthornites, Brian Finstad. I told him that Cash and Carry would be playing at the after party, and he responded:


City of Minneapolis Ordinance 114.28.03.7 states: "Upon being informed that one will soon see the band Cash and Carry live in NoMi, the recipient of said information shall, to the best of their abilities, approximate the above facial expression.")

And here's why:



I also met perhaps the newest NoMi homeowners, Katie and Jason, who just closed on their home 24 hours prior to the festivities. Welcome to the neighborhood!


In a rather poetic way to end the day's celebration, many of us went to Good Sports Bar and Grill on Broadway, where we had a chance to meet the previous owner of Delisi's and thank him for his service to the community. Thanks to everyone who made FLOW such a great time, and it will be even better next year!

STORY IN PHOTOS: Mayor And New Council Members Sworn In...

Contributed photos xoxo, blog post by John Hoff

This morning, elected and (mostly) re-elected Minneapolis City Council Members were sworn in at City Hall. The swearing-in itself was surprisingly brief, according to a source (Megan Goodmundson) who was present at the invitation of Council Member Don Samuels.

The program went from 9:30 to 10:30, and included a welcome speech by Addisalem Tesfaye, who is an Ethiopian immigrant and a graduate of the "Step Up Intern" program. There was an invocation by Rev. Mariann Budde of St. John the Episcopal Church, and music by the City-County Choir. Speeches were made by...


...Council Member Barb Johnson, who was unanimously re-elected Council President shortly afterward, and also Mayor Rybak, who went out of his way to highlight the progress made in North Minneapolis during the last four years.


Above, "Step Up Intern" Graduate Addisalem Tesfaye gives welcoming remarks, and talks about how--in Ethiopia--her family wasn't privileged enough for her to be educated beyond 4th Grade. The day her mother told her she was moving to Minnesota, she was so excited because she knew her life would be changing forever.
The City-County Choir played The Star Spangled Banner and Let There Be Peace On Earth. 

Above, MPD Chief Dolan, whose incredible victory over crime made the re-election of so many city council incumbents possible. FOR GOD'S SAKE, RE-APPOINT THIS MAN!
The program for the city council swearing-in. Simulated parchment...ooooooo! Better put that in the scrap book.


An honor guard of police escorted the American and state flags to the swearing-in. How ironic that, only several days before, this city government enabled the senseless destruction of the home of Pauline Fjelde, who embroidered the first Minnesota state flag.

A view, looking up, of the spectacular interior of City Hall.

Barb Johnson gives inaugural remarks after the swearing-in. The oath--pictured in the very top picture--was administered by Minneapolis City Clerk Steve Ristuben.

In the background of the event, being quiet and unobtrusive, Officer Mark Klukow provides security to make sure there are no Al-Flowers-style disruptions of the proceedings. Notably, an actual mental case named Tore Simonsen was present. (Please note, I am NOT writing in the sarcasm font) Simonsen has a blog obsessively dedicated to a television program named "Dollhouse" and showed up to tell public officials about the need to save the program, handing out playing cards upon which he had written his blog address on and the words "SAVE DOLLHOUSE." The show is about people who have their minds erased and get "programmed" as a whole new person. Here is a link to Simonsen's post about the inauguration, and here is a link to a post about his mental health records.

Speaking as a former military psych tech, I just want to say...this guy needs to be monitored. End of editorial.

Fortunately, the day went off on schedule, without a hitch. Our city appears to be on the right track, and hopefully we can keep building on the momentum of change.

Johnny Northside Blog STRONGLY URGES The Reappointment Of Chief Dolan...

Photo From Bike Cops For Kids Blog, click here for link

Those of us in North Minneapolis who are--arguably--benefitting the most from the accomplishments of MPD Police Chief Dolan have a strong interest in seeing Dolan reappointed.

Recently, there was a heated back-and-forth discussion on the ubiquitous Minneapolis Issues List about whether the chief should be reappointed, click here for a link to that discussion. The way the conversation went, in summary, a guy named Tom Cleland wrote some rough stuff about Dolan from Cleland's leafy suburban paradise where he has all the livelong day to critique brave Minneapolis Police from his ultra-safe McParadise. In response, some individuals who are actually doing the heavy lifting of making North Minneapolis better, called out Cleland on his organic, free-range b.s.

In any case...active and involved citizens are grateful for the work of Dolan. Consider, if you will, this year there were 19 murders in Minneapolis. Contrast that with...

...the City of Chicago, where there were 453 murders. That's a ratio of roughly 24 to 1.

Dolan is not a perfect human being, nor a perfect police chief. But his ability to save the lives of Minneapolis citizens and make our neighborhoods safe for decent people--even what USED TO BE the roughest neighborhoods in North Minneapolis--outweighs everything else. If there is a rank over and above Police Chief--such as True Blue Saint--I say appoint Dolan to that position, too. My biggest fear is some McMurder Metropolis--like Chicago--will offer this magnificent man 4 times his current salary and a lovely lake home to come and solve THEIR deadly, bloody problems.

Please, Chief Dolan, NEVER LEAVE US!

Here, for Johnny Northside readers, is the content of a document which has been circulating in various places including the Minneapolis Issues List. Here are the significant accomplishments under Chief Dolan’s tenure:

Appointed: May 1, 2006 (interim), January 1, 2007 (appointment)


Crime:

Overall crime has decreased since May 2006

1. Homicides have decreased 60%

2. Robberies have decreased 47%

3. Violent crimes have decreased 37%

4. Property crimes have decreased 24%

5. CSCR/rapes have decreased 30%

(I should point out one of the Green Party values is "feminism." One would think cutting assaults on women would weigh heavily with Green Party loyalists)

6. Aggravated assaults have decreased 28%

7. Burglaries have decreased 20%

8. Larcenies/thefts have decreased 16%

9. Auto thefts have decreased 53%

10. Arsons have decreased 40%

11. Property crimes have decreased by 24%

Significant Public Safety Events:

1. 35W Bridge collapse - Received national and international praise for public safety response.

2. Response to the Iowa floods- Sent 30 officers to assist flood victims and local law enforcement.

3. Republican National convention; Along with St. Paul Police successfully coordinated the largest public safety response in the history of the State of Minnesota.

4. Presidential Obama Inauguration; Sent 56 officers to Washington D.C. to assist in security detail for this historic event.

Accountability:

1. Instituted new a department Discipline Matrix.

2. Implemented Early Intervention System (EIS) which will start taking referrals January 2010.

3. Instituted online citizen complaint reporting capability.

4. Police Executive Research Forum IAU/Internal Affairs Unit Audit 2008.

5. Critical Incident Response Audit conducted in 2007 by former U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones.

6. Use of force review process intergraded through records management (CAPRS).

7. Created new Audit function within Internal Affairs Unit.

8. Created Chief’s Citizen Advisory Council.

9. Federal Mediation Agreement; More action items accomplished under Chief Dolan in 18 months than in previous 3.5 years and two police chiefs.

Disciplining Within MPD

1. 64 items were voted green: 58 of these were voted green during Chief Dolan’s tenure

2. 39 items were completed but never voted green for varying reasons

3. 16 items left unresolved for varying reasons

Discipline ranging from letter of reprimand to termination was imposed in 103 cases (IAU/Internal affairs Unit, CRA/Civilian review Authority combined).

1. Of the 103 cases, 19 employees were either terminated or resigned as a result of their sustained Internal Affairs Unit case.

2. Of the 103 cases where discipline was imposed, grievances were filed by the union in 44 cases. Of these 44 cases, 15 were settled between the MPD and the union. In one of these cases discipline was reduced by an arbitrator while others are still pending.

Hiring & Diversity:

The MPD is at its highest level of overall diversity in its history (18.81%).

1. January 2006: 17.69%

2. October 2009: 18.81%

159 officers were hired during Chief Dolan’s tenure. Of those, 49 were people of color; equal to 28.9% of the hired group.

Hired 68 Community Service Officers, of these 68, 47% were persons of color and 26.5% were female.

Created first ever Comprehensive Diversity Plan for the Department.

Established Multi-cultural Community Recruitment Team.

First ever minority recruitment marketing plan.

Technology:

Rollout of Shotspotter in Precinct 3 & 4. (JNS blog would like to add that Shotspotter has been a technological miracle, and one of the best moves this city ever made)

Computer Automated Dispatch (CAD) and Mobile Data Computer (MDC) upgrades.

Expanded public safety cameras in Precinct 4.

License plate recognition.

Handheld electronic citation system for all traffic unit cars

Replaced old micro cassette recorders with digital audio recorders for all investigators

Increased number of Tasers in use by patrol from 84 to 280. Of that, 81 are equipped with Tasercams. All new officers hired are now issued a Taser and Tasercam.

Received grant funds to transition VHS squad video cameras to new digital system.

Increased number of department squad cameras and outfitted all primary precinct squads. Total number of department cameras is 133 which is equivalent to 70% of our marked fleet.

Major Department Initiatives:

Re-established the Juvenile Division.

Re-established the School Resource Officer Unit.

Re-established the MPD Gang Enforcement Team.

Acquired Hamilton School to be used as a training center & base for SWAT/Special Weapons and tactics and the Special Operations Division.

Establishment of Strategic Information Crime Management (SICM); better track/dissemination of intelligence information than we ever have before.

Developed Financial Operations Group with a Finance Director; this to better track spending, grants, etc.

Merged Traffic Control into the MPD.

Re-design of department squads and re-branding of MPD with new motto, To Protect with Courage, To Serve with Compassion.

Department Awards and Accomplishments:

Minneapolis Metropolitan area named “Safest City in America” by Forbes magazine October 2009.

2009 National Night Out Award for being the top-ranked city in our category (#1 for cities with population over 300,000 people).

2009 IACP/International Association of Chiefs of Police Webber Seavey Award – Juvenile Division.

2009 Forensic Crime Lab ASCLD (American Society of Crime Lab Directors) ISO certification.

2009 IACP/Cisco Community Policing Award for our Court watch Program

2007 MN Chiefs of Police Honor for 35W bridge collapse.

2006 IACP/ITT Community Policing Award.

(End of document)

(Keep up the great work, Chief Dolan!)

Officer Mark Klukow Fills In For The Tooth Fairy...

Photos By John Hoff

This cute interaction happened on Friday, August 14, but I left town for a while and didn't have the photos handy. However, the story is just too precious to let fall by the wayside.

During the Peace Foundation party at Farview Park, a little girl came to Officer Klukow in a state of distress. She'd lost a tooth while frolicking in the park, and when I say "lost" I mean she really, actually lost it. Not only did it come out of her mouth, but the tooth itself disappeared into the grass, gone. The little girl was crying because she had no evidence to present to the tooth fairy and collect money for her piggy bank.

Officer Klukow took charge of the incident and assured the little girl, saying the tooth fairy keeps track of the teeth in your head and actually turning in the tooth is merely a formality. This didn't reassure the little girl enough, so Klukow said he could write out a note on his OFFICIAL POLICE CARD saying the tooth had indeed been lost, and she could turn in that documentation instead of the tooth itself. This seemed somewhat more reassuring to the little girl, but apparently she was hoping for crime scene tape and some kind of Amber Alert.

For the record, if you find a child's tooth in Farview Park...contact Officer Klukow.

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JNS VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Peace Foundation Party At Farview Park...

In this exclusive video shot on Friday, Officer Mark Klukow gives a tour of the Peace Foundation Party at Farview Park. Also check out the pictures and videos on the blog Officer Klukow shares with his partner, Officer Mike, click here.



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Images From Yesterday's Bike Rodeo And Barbeque, Sponsored By MPD "Helmet Heroes"

Photos By John Hoff

Officer Mark Klukow, winner of the One Man Minneapolis pageant, and his partner, Mike Kirchen, yesterday sponsored a cook-out and bike rodeo in the Hawthorne Neighborhood, just off 3rd Ave. N. near the highway.

Klukow writes about the event on his blog, click here, and includes some pictures. Here are a few more images. At the top...

The rodeo in full swing. In the second photo, Laura Martin of "500 Under 5" gives out a book at the event. Numerous books were distributed during the rodeo. In the second photo, Officer Kirchen poses with Michelle and Sara, two nurses from U of M Fairview. Klukow says they are sticklers for making sure a helmet sits on a kid's head just as it should.

In the second-to-last photo, Officer Kirchen poses with one of the kids who won a bike (on the right) and another kid who just wanted to be in the picture. In the last photo, Officer Klukow catches a football.

At one point, I asked if Klukow would pose with a kid eating a doughnut and playfully "wrestle for the doughnut" for the picture. Klukow informed me he doesn't eat doughnuts in uniform--it's a personal rule of his--and rarely eats them at all, actually. He's very much into personal fitness. You wouldn't want to be at the front of a foot chase with Klukow behind you.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Local Songstress Erin Schwab Belted Out The Tunes At "One Man Minneapolis" Pageant...

Local songstress Erin Schwab was the featured entertainment at last night's "One Man Minneapolis" pageant, where Officer Mark Klukow brought back victory for North Minneapolis. (NoMi)

Though the men in the pageant were supposed to be the focus of attention, Schwab frequently managed to steal the show. These two short video snippets capture a bit of her crowd-pleasing performance.

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More Images From "One Man Minneapolis," Officer Mark Klukow Brings Victory To NoMi...

Photos By John Hoff

Here are some photos from last night's "One Man Minneapolis" pageant, where Officer Mark Klukow swept to victory while talking up all the deep, positive changes in North Minneapolis. (NoMi)

In the first photo, the brightly lit...

...bar at the entrance of the Pantages Theater, as photographed from above. You enter the theater and the first thing you see is a place to get a drink. And then stuff just gets MORE fun from that point.

In the next two photos, details of the amazing Pantages Theater. In the next photo, the interesting stage decoration for One Man Minneapolis. My first thought was, "Oh, cool, let's SET IT ON FIRE and then run around naked while painted blue!" And then I realized, oh, gee...that's a different event. That's "Burning Man" in the Southwest United States.

NEVER MIND.

In the next image, one of the impressively-dressed ushers circulates a ballot box. One of the women who attended the event with me lobbied a couple of guys seated behind us to vote for Mark Klukow, describing his program to give away bike helmets to kids. At the last minute, at least one more vote was swayed to Klukow. The process was very much like a political caucus, as audience members whose "candidate" didn't make it into the list of finalists became "uncommitted delegates." All the cheering for Klukow by his tightly-knit group of supporters helped create a "bandwagon" effect, propelling Klukow to victory.

In the next photo, Mayor Rybak. His work is never done. Even at this social event, numerous individuals approached, shook his hand, and then mentioned some city issue. I was no exception to the rule, approaching and then telling Rybak how phone book dumping continues to plague North Minneapolis despite some purported reforms by the phone book industry. The Mayor said this issue was frustrating and he would continue to stay on top of it.

In the next photo, Sonda Samuels, who runs the Peace Foundation. This photo was taken shortly after word that Mark Klukow had won, so the Peace Foundation would be getting a $1,000 donation. In the next image, Klukow receives congratulations from supporters after his victory.

Some time after the pageant was done but the theater was still full of people, there was a moment when anarchy descended and anybody could grab the oversized check and pose with it. This young woman said how she'd ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE HER PICTURE TAKEN WITH AN OVERSIZED CHECK. So, for a moment, she stole the identity of Mark Klukow and posed like the night's big winner.

After the pageant, an "after party" next door featured "man-tini" drinks. Since I was a designated driver, I only took a little sip of a "man-tini." It was a little bit more fruity than my idea of a martini, but quite nice.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Officer Mark Klukow Promotes NoMi At One Man Minneapolis Pageant...

Officer Mark Klukow, who beat a crowded field of contenders to win the "One Man Minneapolis" pageant, heavily promoted NoMi during his question and answer session.

Klukow said North Minneapolis had changed tremendously for the better, and he pointed out the charity he represented (Peace Foundation) had recently been credited with helping to bring about that positive change, including a sharp and notable drop in crime statistics...

Klukow was a bit at a loss for words when asked to tell a colorful cop story, and realized just about all his good stories were too disturbing for the formal event. At one point Klukow--a married father of three--looked to his wife in the audience and said something like, "Help me out, honey."

Boyish, endearing, and described even by a fellow competitor as "Super Cop," Klukow won the contest and brought victory back to NoMi. A loud "Klukow cheering section" was pulling for him every step of the way, with each appearance by Klukow and mention of his name bringing a sustained round of yelling.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Officer Mark Klukow Brings Victory To NoMi, Wins One Man Minneapolis Pageant...

Last night in the jam-packed Pantages Theater, Officer Mark Klukow brought a victory back for NoMi when he beat a crowded field of strong contenders and won the "One Man Minneapolis" man pageant. Each of the men represented a charity. Klukow represented the Peace Foundation, headquartered in North Minneapolis and run by Sondra Samuels, the wife of Fifth Ward City Councilman Don Samuels.

This video--shot without a tripod using somebody else's camera, my apologies--shows the moment when Klukow was announced as the winner. Mayor Rybak pointed out that here in Minneapolis, we don't just consider whether a man is good looking, we also ask what they are giving back to their community.

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Officer Mark Klukow Wins "One Man Minneapolis" Pageant...

Officer Mark Klukow won yestrday's "One Man Minneapolis" pageant.

More details to follow soon.

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This Blogger Now Twitter-fied, And You Should Be Too...

Contributed Photo xoxo 

Getting on Twitter was so much easier than I thought. I could totally show any of my friends how to pull it off in, like, five minutes. Time me. Time yourself. Here's a link to Twitter, click here.

Now I'm going to repeat myself and point out that I'm repeating myself. Here I go.

AS I'VE OFTEN SAID, one of the few major tactical advantages in the hands of NoMi "revitalizers" versus rapidly-retreating Northside "thug culture" is the power of information technology.

That's why I tell my NoMi friends how to quickly and easily transform their computer into a police scanner, click here. That's why I went and...

...figured out the Twitter thing, which seemed hard but it was SO EASY. People are already on my blog, so if I want somebody to know exactly where I am to arrange a ride, have dinner, participate in a spontaneous community meeting over a substantive liveabily issue...Twitter appears to be an amazing tool for this kind of thing. I can hardly wait to try out this tool in all kinds of ways and see how many of my friends follow the trend and become Twitter-fied.

What's Behind The Dramatic Drop In North Minneapolis Crime? (Summer Visitation 2009)

Photos By John Hoff

MPD's Officer Mark Klukow spoke to me a couple days about about the innovative bike-helmet-giveaway program (what I've dubbed "Helmet Heroes") but, during that same conversation, I had another pressing issue on my mind...

I wanted to know what was behind the recent dramatic drop in Minneapolis crime, particularly North Minneapolis crime. Though Klukow is not a spokesman for MPD, I figured he did have an opinion and many folks in NoMi have told me about Klukow's intelligence and insight. Turns out he's not just a pretty face but, well, the top photo is published especially for those readers who DO like to think of Klukow as a pretty face. As I've mentioned before, Klukow has a bit of a following in North Minneapolis, like he's a movie star or something.

Anyway...

A recent STrib article attributes the steep decline in crime to three causes: the impact of the foreclosure crisis in moving population out of North Minneapolis including (but unfortunately not limited to) some very serious thugs. I can't help but think of the demolition of the "Apartment Complexes of Anarchy" near the Hawthorne Eco Village. Suddenly that once-blighted area has gone from being "ground zero" for crime stats to a state of having nearly no crime at all. Something very similar has happened with 26th Ave. N. in the Jordan Neighborhood.

You really have to wonder when FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS are going to mentally catch up with the steep decline in North Minneapolis crime coupled with bargain basement home prices on charming 100-year-old homes with roomy back yards.

Second, the STrib article credits the work of the police in cracking down on crime, particularly violent offenders.

Third, the STrib credits the work of the Peace Foundation, which is run by Sondra Samuels, the wife of Council Member Don Samuels. Actually, the STrib threw all the credit to Don Samuels and didn't mention his wife, but some folks have asked me to remedy the error: it is, in fact, Sondra Samuels who is the driving force behind the Peace Foundation.

In reading the article, my first reaction was this: I can understand the impact of foreclosures and smart, energetic police work, but explain to me how the Peace Foundation should get just as much credit as the other two factors? This is the question I had for Mark Klukow.

And Klukow had a great answer: the Peace Foundation has attracted the energy of many other individuals and entities, channeling this postive force in a productive direction. Also, through "diplomacy" the Peace Foundation has "taken the tribalism of out North Minneapolis politics." So, yes, the Peace Foundation deserves this kind of credit because they've actually had this kind of impact.

Klukow then expanded on the notion of who should be given credit for the dramatic drop in crime, in particular a drop in murder. (Click here for a very enlightening bar graph) Klukow said the credit is "like a big pie" and, in his opinion, more than three causes should be getting "pieces of the pie" or, as Klukow put it, "at least slivers." He dubbed the Johnny Northside blog a "pie sliver."

Klukow said credit should be given to "anybody putting energy into the problem."

Here are some places where Klukow said credit is due. First, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), the Violent Offenders Task Force (VOTF) and the Community Responsibility Team (CRT) unit in the 4th Precinct. A guy named Shane Price has worked to get hundreds of guns off the streets. There are also many church projects having some kind of positive impact.

Klukow said even blogs deserve some of the credit. Indeed, there is plenty of "pie" for everybody who is playing an active, helpful role. If you're part of the solution instead of part of the problem, pat yourself on the back.

Klukow sees the future of West Broadway as being, hopefully, something like 50th and France. (Click here for more info) He is very hopeful about the future of NoMi. At the dinner table, one of the hostesses asked Klukow about the idea of public entities like the city and county selling foreclosed homes to police officers for a dollar, so the police officers would move to North Minneapolis.

Klukow thought the idea had both positives and negatives. Obviously, it's would be a great deal on a house in a rapidly-revitalizing neighborhood. But Klukow thinks you'd never want to LIVE in the same neighborhood where you're a cop. Klukow points out he's arrested hundreds of bad guys, and they're often out on the street again within a day. Why would he plunk his family down in the middle of a bunch of criminals he'd arrested?

On the other hand, a police officer who got a great deal on a house and worked ELSEWHERE, well, that would be positive for both the officer and the neighborhood.
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My 12-year-old son, Alex, also asked a few questions. He wanted to know about Klukow's former undercover role. Did Klukow ever go to 3020 6th St. N. and buy drugs? Klukow answered his undercover work was downtown, not in North Minneapolis. Furthermore, the work wasn't as exciting as it sounds.

There was very little action and a whole lot of paperwork.
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Once again, here's the blog of Klukow and his partner (click here). Remember, this summer kids who wear their helmets with a "bike cops" sticker may win a prize.

MPD "Helmet Heroes" Perform Youth Outreach...

Photos By John Hoff

A couple days ago, Officer Mark Klukow and his partner Mike E. Kirchen stopped by a residence on the Jordan Pond and sat down to a dinner of bison steak and substantive conversation about neighborhood issues.

Klukow and Kirchen are "helmet heroes" involved in a special MPD program that distributes bike helmets to kids. The helmets come from...

...North Memorial Hospital, through Easton Bell Sports, and are paid for by a grant from the Ciresi Foundation. This foundation is funded by the Cerisi Law Firm. Recently, Ciresi Foundation donated $11,000 for the helmets, and for supplies to run this program and get the helmets to kids. The positive contact the officers have with the youth is part of early intervention efforts to create positive community relations with young people in North Minneapolis, and help the youth have a good attitude about the police.

Klukow explained the helmets cost $10 apiece and they recently distributed 237 of 240 helmets. However, an additional 120 were delivered recently, so it's not like the cops are out of ammunition, as it were. The program sort of started as a brainstorm between Klukow and Kirchen when the cops--who are sort of what you might call "school cops" according to Klukow--found out bike helmets could be obtained for $10 apiece and they started kicking around ideas to fund some kind of program.

Helmets are not commonly worn by youth in North Minneapolis, but the team is trying to change that. Klukow said in Southwest Minneapolis almost all the youth wear helmets, with some rare kids going without. In North Minneapolis, it's exactly the opposite, with hardly any of the youth having headgear...except, perhaps, those reached by Klukow and Kirchen.

The helmets also come with a sticker to reveal their "bike cop" origins. If, in the future, the youth get "caught with their helmet on" this summer, they might win something. For all kinds of details about the bike cop program, check out their blog which uses (woo hoo!) blogspot as a platform, click here.

In the course of my interview with Klukow, my son Alex asked how much the stickers cost. Klukow said he didn't know the answer, but the stickers were surprisingly costly. Later, after I affixed one of the stickers to my computer right next to my NoMi sticker--a special place, indeed--I noticed the stickers were highly reflective. Perfect for a kid's bike helmet to add just a bit more safety.

If you see the "helmet heroes" in your part of NoMi, be sure to let them know when you're having barbeque. They like that. Oh, and by the way, Klukow and his partner thought the bison steak was just as good as beef and said you couldn't really tell the difference. If any readers are wanting the same kind of delicious bison steak enjoyed by notorious man-hottie Mark Klukow, click on this link to find out about North Loop local foods store Local D'Lish.

Officer Mark Klukow In "Man Pageant"

Photo By Megan Goodmundson

Among the NoMi movers and shakers, there is an intense group of, er, PEOPLE who are fans of Officer Mark Klukow, a rising young star in the MPD. Up in NoMi, since DECENT PEOPLE depend so heavily on cops to sweep up thugs, there tends to be groups of, er, PEOPLE (women, cough cough) who have sort of a (how to put it?) COP THING.

And Officer Mark Klukow is pretty much the embodiment of that NoMi social trend.

Yes, Klukow is married, but so is Brad Pitt. And you're still allowed to be a fan of Brad Pitt, right?

Maybe Brad Pitt is a bad example, though, because most of the heavy-duty Klukow fans I know prefer Klukow to Pitt, hands down.

Klukow (on the left) has been known to go door-knocking just to meet people in the neighborhoods, and get to know his territory better. He's very dedicated.

Anyway, I pretty much got CONVINCED that I need to promote Officer Mark Klukow in this, er, Man Pageant Thing.

So here are some links. First, to become Klukow's Facebook fan, go here. (You will need a Facebook profile)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Officer-Mark-Klukow/86220812086

To vote for Klukow, go here.

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=91739397186&h=zHFxd&u=S3_dF

Apparently, while this contest is going on, votes can be cast daily.

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