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.

Another House Party Ends in Another Shooting...

Photo by John Hoff, blog post by NoMi Passenger


Usually I examine the 4th Precinct Weekly Highlights (or lowlights as I prefer to call them) pretty closely. In fact, I even post them up on the Minneapolis Crime Watch blog for the Google bots to feast upon, however due to the holidays, traveling and other obligations I am a few weeks behind.

So it was really handy that an avid reader of this blog and a very active revitalizer citizen brought it to my attention...

That a recent edition of the highlights contained a report about a shooting outside of a house party, the kind of house party in north Minneapolis that has become synonymous with gun shots, violence and danger. Presumably the blog reader thought to bring it to my attention since this blog recently busted up a birthday party in the Homewood neighborhood, in an attempt to save a life or two or three.

~~~~
25th Ave N & Hillside Ave Thursday 12/30/10 2322 hrs 10-386378

Officer was dispatched to a hospital on the report of a shooting. V1/female, 18 yrs, was receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the buttocks. V1 stated she was at a house party in the above area & while in the house, people started yelling about robberies outside. V1 walked outside with her friends & saw a group of males & females arguing in the street. Unknown S1/male, 16-25 yrs, threatened to start shooting & pulled out a large black handgun. When S1 aimed the gun at V1, she ran in fear & heard about 20-30 shots before feeling pain in her leg. V1 was taken to the hospital by witnesses at the scene. V1 stated that S1 was very intoxicated. No one had suspect info or could provide a description of the party house. V1’s wounds are non-life threatening.
~~~~

Right now I'm waiting on the full report from the police department and hopefully I can nail down the exact address that hosted the party. Of course I'll send the address and owner details to the authorities that be so they can do anything they can to come down hard on the owner, whether it be homesteaded or rental, the owner needs to hear from authorities and concerned citizens in the neighborhood.

North Minneapolis readers should be on the look out for signs of these lethally dangerous parties and call 9-1-1 immediately upon any sign of a dangerous party. Including but not limited to: flocks of young people arriving from all directions on foot, bike and of course some cars. Any sign that a line is forming or admission is somehow being charged at the door. Ummm, a flier posted or distributed around the area advertising the house party would be a sure sign. Noisy party goers spilling out into yards and sidewalks and streets would be a good indication. But don't just rely on this short list of symptoms, use your gut radar. Something seem wrong? Dangerous? Call 9-1-1 and let them figure it out.

I remember vividly a teen house party taking place on my block and I only realized it when a crowd of about 75 teens and young adults gathered in the street, divided into two groups in a stand off style position, with gang bandanas pulled up over their noses and faces. Pretty scary. Luckily nothing happened before police arrived and tear gassed the the house and the crowd in the streets.

Readers should spread the word to their non-blog reading neighbors and strengthen up the action plan to be on the watch for these dangerous house parties and call 9-1-1 immediately, even if nothing dangerous is happening yet, we are all better off to get the party shut down before anything does. Don't feel like a party pooper, feel like a life saver.