And Now It's Time For A Halloween Whore Story...

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

It seems like weeks, months can go by with little evidence of prostitution on Penn Ave. N. and nearby portions of Lowry Ave. Then one day the prostitutes are everywhere.

This story happened yesterday but since today is Halloween, I'm presenting it as a Halloween WHORE story. (Whore? Horror? GET IT?!!!)

I was driving on Penn Ave. N. and paying attention to the road (like a good driver should) while my partner in crime was watching for something to call 911 about. We agreed the day wouldn't really be complete until we called 911 on something, so the plan was to drive around until we saw something 911 worthy. This took, um, about 2 and a half minutes...

The Long Criminal Records Of Carmen And Camille Gomez (Any Relationship To Charden, Malo, Dashaunta And Rayjon Gomez Unconfirmed)

Public Facebook photo of Rayjon Gomez with members of Sticc Up Boys, used under First Amendment Comment and Criticism, blog post by John Hoff

Behind the scenes, a source has been trying to explain to me the complex blood relationships of the criminal Gomez clan.

I have been able to verify, independent of my source, that the mother of Rayjon Gomez is indeed named "Carmen Gomez," which is exactly what my source is telling me. This video from Channel 5, click here, pictures one "Carmen Gomez" speaking about the death of her son.

The Carmen Gomez featured in the video looks as though she could have been born in 1956, but otherwise I am unable to positively verify that Carmen Gomez, mother of Rayjon Gomez, is indeed one Carmen Rochelle Gomez, identical twin of Camille Yvette Gomez, both born September 19, 1956.

(Just what we need for a good Northside soap opera! Evil twins! Though, in this case, neither of the twins is any good)

Criminal records for Carmen and Camille are mixed together when one searches for either. Between the two of them, there are 78 criminal charges, including burglarly and prostitution.

Normally, I would assume this is the same person with an alias. But my source tells me no, Carmen and Camille are identical twins and there is a blood relationship to murderer Charden Gomez, to brothers Malo and Dashaunta Gomez, and to 13-year-old murder victim Rayjon Gomez.

I am also being told there was a man named Malo Dashaunty Gomez, murdered in 1995. I am unable to confirm this.

Here is the criminal record of Carmen R. Gomez, and it speaks pretty loudly for itself...


27-CR-79-902267 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 12/20/1979
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed ATT THEFT OVER $2500

27-CR-80-901340 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 06/18/1980
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $150

27-CR-83-901272 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 07/18/1983
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $150
RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS

27-CR-84-901722 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 08/06/1984
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT - TEMPORARY TAKING

27-CR-88-903999 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 02/29/1988
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT - AS A GROSS MISD

27-CR-89-027436 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 06/21/1989
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed ATTEMPTED 3RD DEG BURGLARY
1ST DEGREE BURGLARY

27-CR-93-018272 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/15/1993
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $500
MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS

27-CR-96-023377 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 04/18/1996
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD FRAUD (UNAUTHORIZED USE)

27-CR-97-023771 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/21/1997
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed LOITER W/INTENT COMMIT PROSTITUTION

27-CR-98-122815 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 12/09/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-000434 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/04/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-005776 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/20/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-037478 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 04/19/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE

27-CR-99-046669 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 05/14/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE
THEFT

27-CR-99-056064 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 06/09/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-115541 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 11/18/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-00-003076 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/11/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

02-T9-00-002006 X 230370 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/19/2000
Anoka Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed THEFT/SHOPLIFTING M

27-CR-00-023590 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/02/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-00-054866 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 06/07/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT- SHOPLIFTING

02-T0-00-018837 X 268668 GOMEZ, CARMEN RACHELLE (JNS says: Note different spelling of the middle name, but birthday is the same)
09/19/1956 06/28/2000
Anoka Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed THEFT M

27-CR-00-075855 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 08/09/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed ASSAULT IN THE 5TH DEGREE
THEFT

27-CR-01-007045 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/24/2001
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE

27-CR-01-008939 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 01/30/2001
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-01-011854 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 02/08/2001
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed DRIVING W/O INSURANCE
OPERATE OR DRIVE VEH W/O VALID D/L
NO CAR SEAT FOR YOUNG CHILD

27-CR-01-021804 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/14/2001
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION TO OFFICER

27-CR-03-054383 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 08/04/2003
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION

27-CR-03-078538 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 10/22/2003
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT-$201-$500

27-CR-04-017761 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/17/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-04-027843 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 04/28/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-04-054430 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 08/03/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction PROSTITUTION-PATRON OR PROSTITUTE IN PUBLIC PLACE

02-K6-04-007897 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/20/1956 08/12/2004
Anoka Felony
Converted Closed F A/A THEFT EXCESS $500

02-T4-04-028053 X 711441 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/20/1956 08/30/2004
Anoka Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed (TCIS Amended Charge) THEFT M

27-CR-04-065711 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 10/07/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION-PATRON OR PROSTITUTE IN PUBLIC PLACE

27-CR-05-016543 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/22/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $500 (AGGREGATE) (AID & ABET)

27-CR-05-025812 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 04/13/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION
THEFT

82-T7-05-021902 SW 249674 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/20/1956 09/16/2005
- Washington-Stillwater Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed THEFT

27-CR-07-018463 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 03/22/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

27-CR-08-42734 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 08/22/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Chu, Regina M. Crim/Traf Mandatory (JNS blog says: Oh, look, that's the judge who convicted mortgage fraudster Larry Maxwell who was messed up in that whole 1564 Hillside Ave. N. thing, just like former JACC Executive Director Jerry L. Moore was messed up in it)
Closed Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

27-CR-08-47603 GOMEZ, CARMEN ROCHELLE
09/19/1956 09/23/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

BASED UPON THE CRIMINAL RECORD ABOVE, if this woman CARMEN ROCHELLE GOMEZ has children in her home, in my opinion those children should be removed by social services, based upon this extensive criminal record. This is true whether "this Carmen Gomez" is the mother of Rayjon Gomez or not. IF SHE IS the mother of Rayjon Gomez, no wonder the little guy ended up dead and hung out with the Sticc Up Boys at age 13.

OK, now let's look at the record of Camille Yvette Gomez. As you will see, Camille is more into drugs than Carmen, but both women tend to concentrate on thievery.

27-CR-80-901341 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/18/1980
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $150

27-CR-82-902553 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/09/1982
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $150

27-CR-83-901271 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/09/1983
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $150
RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS

27-CR-87-901674 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/18/1987
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $250

27-CR-90-022911 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 03/28/1990
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed ATT THEFT OFER $500

27-CR-91-056883 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 07/26/1991
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT UNDER $250

27-CR-92-058251 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 07/28/1992
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed SOLICITING FOR PROSTITUTION

27-CR-92-096034 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/15/1992
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION

27-CR-93-075854 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 08/24/1993
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION

27-CR-94-012577 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 02/16/1994
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION

27-CR-94-048765 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/13/1994
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION

27-CR-94-093442 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 04/17/1995
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CRIME FIFTH DEGREE - POSSESSION

27-CR-96-029753 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 04/11/1996
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-96-035207 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 04/29/1996
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed SOLICITING FOR PROSTITUTION

27-CR-97-049302 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/11/1997
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE

27-CR-97-091090 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 10/14/1997
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT
POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

27-CR-98-087108 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 08/28/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed PROSTITUTION-PROSTITUTE-PRIOR CONVICTION

27-CR-98-122924 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/09/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-98-129901 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/31/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT-$201-$500

27-CR-99-005781 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 01/20/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT-$201-$500

27-CR-99-017566 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 02/23/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-084369 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 07/27/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY

27-CR-99-115665 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 11/19/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-99-128551 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/28/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-00-023593 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 03/02/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

62-K1-01-000244 GOMEZ, CAMIELLE YVETTE (JNS blog says: Note different spelling of first name, but birthday is the same)
09/19/1956 01/19/2001
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Felony
Converted Closed (TCIS Amended Charge) THEFT FROM PERSON

27-CR-01-010774 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 02/07/2001
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed GM THEFT

27-CR-03-029875 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 05/21/2003
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT OVER $250 (ENHANCED)

27-CR-03-059414 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 08/19/2003
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-04-016901 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 03/12/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed GIVE FALSE NAME TO POLICE
THEFT-250 OR LESS-MS-BUILDING-OTHER

27-CR-05-016553 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 03/22/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed ATTEMPTED AID & ABET THEFT OVER $500 - AGGREGATE

27-CR-06-000473 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 01/04/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-06-082728 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 12/01/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT

27-CR-08-42518 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 08/25/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed THEFT-LEGAL INTEREST-PERMANENT DEPRIVE ANOTHER

27-CR-08-47609 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 09/23/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

27-CR-09-30836 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 06/16/2009
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

27-CR-09-39370 GOMEZ, CAMILLE YVETTE
09/19/1956 07/07/2009
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent

As for Camille, I'd say the same thing I'd say about Carmen: if this woman has children in her home, they should be removed.

Put This One In Your "Historypin App," Hawthorne Hawkman! North Minneapolis Prostitution From Days Of Yore...

Stock photo, (unknown if this is location described, odds are it's not) blog post by John Hoff

While I was Googling "North Minneapolis" and trying to catch up with life "on the homefront" before flying stateside for some R&R away from Afghanistan, the omniscient Gods Of Google suggested a story from 1999 about a "family run" house of prostitution...



Click here for the newspaper article, which is in that crazy "old print media now put online" format which is, well, I just find it cumbersome to read. But I took the time to read it.

As is so often true of "dead tree media," the article kept the exact location of the house a secret. Do any non-anonymous, trustworthy readers have an idea where this house was?

It was in the course of catching up that I was re-reading Hawthorne Hawkman's recent articles about the "historypin app," articles that were written in the context of Friedman's Shoe Store without making mention of their run down, dreary glass which makes that whole part of West Broadway look just plain seedy.

(Hawkman is tactful. Me, not so much)

So when I ran across the article about "North Minneapolis prostitution in days of yore," (well, 1999) I couldn't help but think, wow, put THAT in your history app and leave the money on the dresser.

Suspected Hookers In Rearview Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear--Driving Prostitution Out Of North Minneapolis!

Photos by John Hoff

It was early May, a few days before Navy SEALS killed Osama Bin Laden, and the prostitutes were getting annoyingly common on Penn Avenue.

It wasn't even the heat of summer, yet, but the hookers were as thick as Nutella...

I was driving somewhere with Megan when we spotted one, and we pulled up to call police. We've learned that street walkers will mostly ignore a car facing AWAY from them, but you can watch them just fine in the rear view mirror. In fact, I've actually managed to snap their pictures in the mirror, creating an imperfect but highly malleable image that can be edited with my MacBook.

We called in her description to the cops: light skinned, thin build, dark jacket and distinctive aqua blue sweats. I was a bit worried this (suspected) hooker might actually be a police decoy: she wasn't as old, fat and cracked out as most of the Penn Avenue hookers. While we waited for the cops to show up, the (suspected) hooker got in a silver Acura, license plate SEK 289.

We followed.

It was only a couple years ago when, if I was following a john with a hooker in the car, the police dispatcher would tell me to break off the chase. They don't do that any more. Now we call in the location of the car, street by street. It's hard to keep our laughter to a dull roar as we speculate what kind of verbal freak out must be taking place inside the vehicle.

On this day, the Acura took a long, indirect route and pulled up in front of St. Anne's, where the ('spected) working girl exited the vehicle and began walking away, rapidly, but paused to cast a long sour look in Megan's direction. Megan--who doesn't even blink at tornadoes, let alone hookers--rolled down her window and said, "Tell your little street walker friends we're watching and taking pictures and putting everything on the internet."

"I wasn't prostituting myself!" the young woman replied, without a trace of moral outrage at the accusation.

Megan stepped on the gas and followed the Acura all the way to Robbinsdale, where it tried to lose us in side streets so, rather than let things get hairy, we broke off the chase.

A good time was had by all...except the suspected john and his date for the evening, though it was a VERY short date.

A Trail Of 311 Calls Follows In The Wake Of "Penn Avenue Hooker Patrol"

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

Some of the "hooker patrol" efforts undertaken by me and my girlfriend Megan Goodmundson have been documented on this blog recently, click here for an example.

One incidental side benefit of frequent "hooker patrol" has been a number of 311 calls made on OTHER problems we happen to notice in and around Penn Avenue North.

For example, in the photo above...

...the garage at 2700 Queen Ave. N. is looking pretty bad. Before sending a report to 311, following my own set of sensible criteria for what to report and what to let slide, I first checked to see if this was a hard-pressed home owner or yet another Northside rental property.

Oh, turns out it has a rental license, click here for more info.

Hello, 311.

This is only one example of "incidental 311 reports." We've reported graffiti, vacant lots full of litter, and soon enough we might start to systematically document the potholes. Wouldn't want any of the working girls to trip.

And when I say "girls," I mean that loosely in a "Deontay T. Duffy The Transvestite Hooker" kind of way.

Easter Greetings From A (Suspected) Penn Avenue Hooker...

Photos and blog post by John Hoff


Once again directing a "citizen patrol" at prostitution activity in North Minneapolis, today me and my girlfriend finished up with an Easter egg hunt and then hit Penn Avenue, looking for hookers. It wasn't hard to find one sitting on the "hooker steps" at 2755 Penn Avenue North, a vacant house. We called the police, and before long squad 462 came along and talked to the suspected hooker.

And I say "suspected" in that I'm-trying-to-be-a-journalist-so-I-really-should-use-that-word kinda way.

Disappointingly, Squad 462 only...

...stopped and talked to the (firmly and strongly) suspected hooker, apparently telling her to "move along." The conversation was quick, so obviously there wasn't even enough time to run her name and see if, oh gee, she's been picked up for hooking before like Deontay Duffy, click here.

At this point, the hookers know my car by sight and we can actually see them reacting when my car comes in sight, apparently knowing a police squad won't be far behind. So after the police talked to the (suspected) hooker she began walking southbound on Penn, and we moved up a couple blocks to intercept her and snap a photo.

Spotting us, the hooker gave us "the bird." In fact, she actually stood still in her tracks, pulling her hood up over her face, and flipped us off for about a full minute.

Like, HOW DARE WE CALL THE POLICE about her turning tricks (we suspect) on Penn Avenue North on Easter Sunday?

As far as I'm concerned, this hooker is giving the finger to the neighborhood, to the police, to the judicial system. I am directing this question at my public officials: WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO for police to actually make some arrests instead of merely stirring the pond scum, which goes away momentarily but returns several minutes later? In fact, we saw this hooker AGAIN several hours later, and called the police on her AGAIN.

In light of the fact we can't seem to get decisive police action, I have decided on a new tactic: I will no longer call 911 when I see a hooker. Instead, I will wait until the hooker gets into a vehicle. THEN I will call the police, but the vehicle's license plate information will appear on this blog.

Tranvestite Hooker Deontay T. Duffy Arrested On Penn Ave. N., Judicial System Throws Him Right Back On Our Streets...

Photos and blog post by John Hoff


On Tuesday, April 12, while "citizen patrolling" Penn Ave. N. with my girlfriend Megan Goodmundson, we ran into what can only be described as a "hooker convention." There were so many suspected prostitutes in a small area in and around Penn Ave. N., it was tough to keep them all straight as we repeatedly dialed 911.

It was like playing Prostitute Whack A Mole. In addition to calling police, we took some photos of the girls.

But it turned out not all the girls were, um, girls...

JNS BLOG VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: 2700 Morgan Ave. North a.k.a. "The Salmon House" Demolished, Neighbors Joyful, ALL THE FRIDGE MAGNETS SAVED!

Video shot my Megan Goodmundson, uploaded to "JohnnyHoffa"YouTube profile, blog post by John Hoff

The decrepit former whorehouse at 2700 Morgan Ave. N., known as the "Salmon House," was demolished on Friday, January 14, beginning at about 9 a.m.

One neighbor in a nearby house actually took the day off from work just to watch in quiet jubilation. Another neighbor came out in a bathrobe and...

...can be heard cheering near the beginning of this video. The crew which demolished the "Salmon House" was apparently the same outfit responsible for taking down the "Devil's House" at 3020 6th St. N. and, in fact, they had vivid recollections of neighbors "drinking champagne and dancing in the streets." (Click here for some video)

Due to their involvement in tearing down two notorious whorehouses, Megan has dubbed this crew "the slum slayers."

Prior to the demolition, I personally managed to obtain all the fridge magnets from the door of a skanky-looking, rather small and forlorn fridge in what was left of the kitchen.

And so the unstoppable and massive wave of NoMi revitalization continues, but not everything is lost: some small things are saved, stories are written down, images and video are recorded. Some of the run down houses are NOT destroyed, but fall into the hands of new owners who will transform them. Slumlords are on the run, knowing they will be relentlessly hounded in North Minneapolis for irresponsible behavior. This house at 2700 Morgan Ave. N. belonged to an entity named "Dana D III," who were involved in mortgage fraud, click here.

Consider: For how many years did neighbors cry out "Salmon House" this and "Salmon House" that and fight for change? And then one snowy morning the change arrived and massive transformation took place in only a couple hours.

What does this tell us? That all the other changes we want can happen, too, if we don't lose hope, or lose heart, or cease in our energetic efforts to live in an urban environment that is not just BETTER, not just SAFE, not just DECENT, but something approaching an urban utopia.

Suspected Hooker Cited At 2935 Queen Ave. N. Minutes Ago...

Contributed photos, xoxo and blog post by John Hoff

In an ongoing effort to take Penn Ave. N. back from (suspected) johns and prostitutes, some of us drive around almost every day and call 911 on apparent hooker activity. The side streets around Penn Ave. N. are full of the same activity.

Today, at 2935 Queen Ave. N., a woman whose face is well-known as a frequent walker of the streets was spotted doing her thing on the steps of a house, which just happens to be owned by the city. We snapped pictures as our wonderful Minneapolis Police Department cited her for some infraction, (note the distinctive red stripe on the document) and we sure hope the infraction was loitering with the intent to commit prostitution, but--honestly--even a ticket for littering or jaywalking would be welcome to drive these suspected hookers off our streets.

Thank you, MPD, for showing up so quickly in response to our call for help!

(Do not click "Read More")

More Info About Eric Damon Hyde, Who Picked Up A Hooker Named "Wiggles" On Penn. Ave. N.

Stock photo, blog post by John Hoff

The woman picked up by Eric Damon Hyde on Penn Ave. N. is no longer a "suspected" prostitute, but a check of her online court records reveals her to be a convicted prostitute with an officially recognized street name: Wiggles.

This blog is also now in possession of a longer version of the police report about Eric D. Hyde's embarrassing little escapade in North Minneapolis, as follows...



Public Information Report Minneapolis Police Department CCN: MP-10-210966
Report Details

Reported Date: Jul 16, 2010 01:29 Reporting Officer: 007889: Jer Yang
Last Uploaded: Jul 16, 2010 Date Printed: Jul 21, 2010
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details

Offense1: IPROST Desc: Loiter/intent-prostu Statute: 385.50 Attempted:
Address: 2700 Penn AV N
MINNEAPOLIS , MN 55411
Occurred From: 07/16/2010 01:16 Occurred To: 07/16/2010 01:16
Public Data

Officers observed MN NBA442 stopped on 30th Ave N facing EB between Penn Ave N and Queen Ave N. Officers observed OT1, who officers has prior knowledge that OT1 is a local street prostitute, approach the front passenger door of the listed vehicle. OT1 engaged in a brief conversation with the driver/AP1 and entered into the listed vehicle through the front passenger door. Officers observed AP1 drive away with OT1 inside the vehicle where officers conducted a TLE at the listed location. Officers made contact with AP1 who provided officers with three different stories of the reason AP1 was in the location.

AP1 informed officers that AP1 requested AP1 to transport OT1 to 26th Ave N and Penn Ave N which was no more than four blocks away. Officers questioned AP1 on the name of OT1 and AP1 informed officers that OT1's first name was "JACQUELINE" which is incorrect. Due to the false information that AP1 was providing officers and the knowledge that OT1 is a street prostitute due to previous encounters/arrests of OT1, officers transported and booked AP1 into HCJ for loitering with the intent of prostitution. The listed vehicle was towed.

RECOMMENDATION: CASE CLOSED BY ARREST
Arrestee

Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Hyde, Eric Damon
Residence: 10831 Major AV N
Brooklyn Center , MN 55443
Telephone: H:612-432-9668
Date of Birth: 11/14/1971 Event Age: 38 Est. Age: 38 - 38
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:

Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Jul 16, 2010 01:16
Arrest Location:
Disposition: Booked County
Arresting Officer: 005832: Pucely, Joel Edward Call/Sqd: 492
Arresting Officer: 007889: Yang, Jer NMN Call/Sqd: 492

Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Other Misdemeanor IPROST - Loiter/intent-prostu 385.50
Other

Role / Role #: OT001
Name: Simmons, Jaconna Marie
Nick Name: Wiggles
Residence: Unknown
Telephone: H:none
Date of Birth: 05/15/1975 Event Age: 35 Est. Age: 35 - 35
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Female Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:

Personal Description
Category Description Related Offense Comments
Force Used No

BUT WAIT!!! There's more!!! There's much, much more!

Here is the online court record for Jaconna Marie Simmons, a.k.a. Wiggles.

02-K5-94-001571
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/05/1975
02/10/1994
Anoka
Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
GM THEFT
M THEFT

02-K7-94-003998
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
04/12/1994
Anoka
Gross Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
GM THEFT/SHOPLIFTING
M 5TH DEG ASSAULT
M FALSE INFO TO POLICE
GM THEFT/SHOPLIFTING VOP

27-CR-94-035596
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
05/04/1994
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
2ND DEG ASSAULT
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY

27-CR-98-027801
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
03/19/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITUTION

62-KX-99-003660
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
12/13/1999
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Felony
Converted Closed
ASSAULT4 PEACE OFFICER

27-CR-00-001426
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
01/05/2000
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
THEFT

62-TX-00-063798
00244843
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
08/09/2000
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
LOITERING W/UNLAWFUL PURP

27-CR-02-036746
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
05/10/2002
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
CONTROLLED SUB CRIME 5TH DEG-POSSESSION

27-CR-02-059829
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
07/29/2002
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITUTION

27-CR-02-075924
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
09/20/2002
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
CONTROLLED SUB CRIME 5TH DEG-POSSESSION

27-CR-02-090633
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
12/31/2002
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
OFFERING A FORGED CHECK

27-CR-03-019638
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
04/09/2003
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITTUION,PROSTITUTE-PRIOR CONVICTIONS

27-CR-04-053047
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
07/28/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITUTION-PATRON OR PROSTITUTE IN PUBLIC PLACE
PROSTITUTION-PROSTITUTE-PRIOR CONVICTION

27-CR-04-075864
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
10/28/2004
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
FALSE NAME OR D.O.B. TO POLICE OFFICER

27-CR-05-035752
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
06/13/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA/PUB PLACE PROHIB
LOITER W/INT

27-CR-05-033267
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
07/25/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITUTION - PROSTITUTE - PRIOR CONVICTION

27-CR-05-059615
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
09/16/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN A PUBLIC PLACE

27-CR-05-079378
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
12/13/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA/PUB PLACE PROHIB

02-T6-06-011419
X 813968
X 813968
X 813968
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
04/11/2006
Anoka
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Open
53/30 P
1ST DAS M
NO PRF INS/NONOWN/DR M

27-CR-06-027231
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
04/24/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA/PUB PLACE PROHIB

27-CR-06-030859
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
04/28/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
PROSTITUTION-PATRON OR PROSTITUTE IN PUBLIC PLACE
PROSTITUTION-PROSTITUTE-PRIOR CONVICTION
PROSTITUTION-PROSTITUTE-PRIOR CONVICTION

27-CR-07-036710
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
06/07/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
POSSESS DRUG PARAPHENELIA IN PUBLIC
LOITER W/INT
27-CR-08-12926

SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
03/13/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Theft of Motor Vehicle-Felony
Theft of Motor Vehicle-Felony
Financial Transaction Card Fraud

27-CR-08-23425
108200404
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
05/13/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Theft $250 or less

27-CR-09-12432
SIMMONS, JACONNA MARIE
05/15/1975
03/13/2009
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Prostitution - Patron or Prostitute in Public Place
Prostitute-Solicit/Accept Solicitation to Engage for Hire in a Public

Eric Hyde, 38, Of Brooklyn Center, MN Arrested, Charged With Loitering With Intent To Commit Prostitution On Penn Ave. N.

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

It's a shame somebody has to make an example out of Eric Hyde, but decent people who live in North Minneapolis are getting pretty sick of all the hookers on Penn Ave. N., and now the Kwanzaa Church on Emerson Ave. N., pictured above, wants (dear god!) a drop-in center for the prostitutes.

So it comes as sort of good news to learn somebody was actually, finally arrested for...

...soliciting a prostitute on Penn Ave. N.

Here is the information, which made its way around email in an MPD alert:

Case Year: 2010 Case No. 210966

Incident Location: 27** Penn AV N

Date and Time: 7/16/2010 1:16:00 AM - 7/16/2010 1:16:00 AM

Officers observed MN NBA442 stopped on 30th Ave N facing EB between Penn Ave N and Queen Ave N. Officers observed OT1, who officers has prior knowledge that OT1 is a local street prostitute, approach the front passenger door of the listed vehicle. OT1 eng ...

(Police report is truncated at this point)

Arrested Parties, if any (name - age / Address AptNo City, State Zip):

Eric Hyde - 38 / 010831 Major AV N Brooklyn Center, MN 55443

(End of report)

Keep up the great work, MPD.

You know what really Grinds My Gears?...

(I caught the now infamous defecating (suspected) hooker at the same corner I filmed her and company yesterday.)
Photos, videos, and blog post by Hans

Hookers on Penn Avenue North Grind My Gears!

But it's not just the hookers... it's the fact that after watching and calling... and calling and calling and calling... nothing seems to change. What must the good citizens of Nomi do to clean up this section of Penn Avenue? Until I hear some suggestions that actually work I feel my only course of action is to film or photograph as much suspicious activity as possible... so please, click Read More!


Don't blink or you'll miss the woman in the white du-rag walking south down Penn.



I don't think these guys are prostitutes, but I also don't think they're supposed to be hanging out on utility boxes across from Wallys Inconvenience Store.




Moments before this picture was taken these guys were sitting on the front steps of the boarded house they are 'play fighting' in front of. It was hard to tell if these guys were friends or enemies... but it doesn't make the neighborhood feel very nice either way. This photo was taken a couple blocks west of Wally's on Golden Valley Road.



I wonder... do these folks live in the house they are loitering in front of... or do they just claim 30th and Queen as their own?



Occasionally we do get to see some Police action, but does it have any effect on the future activities of the thugs and whores they interact with?

Plans Aired For "Prostitute Drop In Center" As Suspected Hookers Hawk Their Services On Penn Ave. N.

Video by Hans, blog post by John Hoff

"Hawthorne Hans," a regular contributor to this blog, recently made a short YouTube video of (suspected) hookers on Penn Ave. N. The (suspected) hookers are 13 seconds in, standing in front of a Linda Higgins For State Senate sign, trying to flag down Hans as he rolls past. One of the (suspected) hookers is the "defacating (suspected) hooker" who was just recently photographed taking a dump in the yard of a vacant rental property, an incident highlighted on the "Irving Inquisition" blog, click here.

There was a bitterly amusing anecdote associated with that incident, by the way. I'm told the hooker said, "Hey, you can't take my picture" and the resident taking the photo replied, "Well, you can't take a crap here, so we're even."

Currently, there are plans being aired for a "hooker drop in center" to be located on...

...the 2100 block of Emerson Ave. N., which used to be a very busy corner for prostitution, but hasn't been "grand central hooker station" for about a year since police cleaned it up. Instead--as shown in this video--the hookers hang out on Penn Ave. N. between 26th and 30th, and tend to stay at the bus stops, acting like they're waiting for a bus.

This video--in which the hookers try to flag down Hans as he rolls past--highlights another aspect of our neighborhood which needs to be highlighted. Residents have a different view from their windshields than the police. The drug dealers and hookers act differently in front of us, they do things in plain view they wouldn't do in front of a squad car or even an unmarked police car. (It's really not THAT hard to pick out the unmarked police cars)

This is the nasty crap we see on Penn Ave. N. every day, sometimes with small children in our vehicles as we beg, plead, shout for sting operations, for police to crack down on the (suspected) Penn Ave. N. hookers. Increasingly, however, it appears residents will be forced to handle the problem themselves with video cameras. As revealing as this short video might be, videos of suspected johns will be even MORE revealing.

Jordan Area Community Council (JACC) Got Down To Serious Business Last Night (But Where Was Slumlord Keith Reitman?)

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

Meeting at the Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) last night, the Jordan Area Community Council tackled an impressive laundry list of neighborhood issues, affirmed Michael "Kip" Browne as its Chair, and met in closed session over the latest frivolous grievance filed by Level Three sex offender Peter "Spanky Pete" Rickmyer.

As discussed in a previous blog post, Rickmyer appears to be claiming his loathsome and disgusting "pedophile" status makes him a member of a protected class for purposes of discrimination, like race and gender.

Yup, just another fun-filled JACC meeting. Here's the rundown...

1.) City Council Member Don Samuels--who lives quite near JACC headquarters--would like to have office space at the "JACC house" so he can meet, conveniently, with constituents. JACC approved the request, unanimously.

2.) Vincent Thomas, the Director of Development at Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis, spoke of his desire to provide a drop-in center for women involved in prostitution. The drop-in center would be on the 2100 block of Emerson Ave. N. This would allow the women to talk to social workers, use bathrooms, etc. in a comfortable space "instead of having to go all the way downtown" for the same services.

Expect more editorials on this topic, but the Irving Inquisition blog has a great example of what our neighborhood is enduring due to the presence of these so-called "sex workers," click here.

3.) David Snyder, a Community Organizer for Jewish Community Action, spoke of the need for more folks to help with door knocking as part of the ongoing outreach by the Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition to help individuals experiencing mortgage problems to save their homes.

4.) There was a presentation on plans for the upcoming Minneapolis public schools headquarters. Impressive architectural drawings were circulated. Four individuals presented on this topic: former City Council president Jackie Cherryhomes, Todd Elkins of Urban Home Works, Mark Bollinger, the Executive Director of Facilities at Minneapolis Public Schools, and Lynn R. Littlejohn, Director of Community Affairs for Mortenson Construction.

Though many aspects of the project were covered, I was particularly interested in the fact some "public art" would be incorporated into the project. During the comment period, I spoke up and expressed a hope any such public art would be "tasteful" and not done in a style I would dub "contemporary urban dystopia," which celebrates the aesthetic of graffiti, decay, and lawlessness. I pointed out there were many individuals (Gratia Countryman comes to mind) who have made substantial educational contributions to Minneapolis, and have connections to the Northside. These individuals are deserving of tasteful statues in their honor. Or, to sum it up another way: ANYTHING BUT A GRAFFITI MURAL LIKE THE "TRIPPING COWS" ON THE SIDE OF THE KEMPS BUILDING.

5.) There was an extensive discussion on using "buy back dollars" to promote more police presence in the Jordan Neighborhood. The discussion got incredibly bogged down--and, it is fair to say, somewhat tense--over a desire by some members in the community to use bike and foot patrols only. It is fair to say "drive by policing" is a major concern and source of irritation in this neighborhood. When Jordan residents call police about a hooker on Penn Ave. N., we want the police to get out, check identification, do pat down searches, detain, and INTERACT INTENSELY AND INTERPERSONALLY WITH THE SUSPECTS, rather than making a "keep on moving" motion from behind their windshield while slowing down to five miles an hour.

6.) Three recommendations came from the Housing Committee. A.) Supporting the preliminary design proposal for the Minneapolis Public Schools headquarters building, B.) supporting a variance and conditional use permit for Alliance Housing/Gateway Lofts, C.) recommending JACC support the Lowry Avenue Strategic Plan and proposed zoning changes.

7.) Michael "Kip" Browne, serving as Chair in the wake of the resignation of Vladamir Monroe, was unanimously reaffirmed without opposition. Eric Johnson was appointed Vice Chair, without opposition, after two other board members declined nominations to the position of Vice Chair.

8.) The most exciting part of the night was closed to the public: dealing with Peter "Spanky Pete" Rickmyer's latest frivolous and stupid grievance.

If I had to hazard a guess as to how the matter will be resolved, I'm guessing JACC will write a letter saying pedophilia is NOT a protected class, the grievance therefore has no basis, and Peter Rickmyer should go crawling back to whatever dark snake hole he crawled out of. (I'm paraphrasing the last part) Unless, of course, the grievance is just dismissed by the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, which is what SHOULD have happened.

9.) A grievance filed by the Penn Gas Station was resolved. The gas station--which is a filthy hole where dubious activity takes place openly right in front of employees, see a recent blog post regarding THAT, click here--had its metaphorical pants all in a sweaty bunch over something that had been said in long-ago minutes about how the store had been raided by police. The comment had been made by some random community member during open commentary, and NOT by a board member.

The store denies it has ever been raided. JACC agreed to change the minutes to reflect the fact the store had never been raided. How this old, obscure portion of the minutes ended up in front of the store owners is not hard to guess. This may be a good time to mention Peter "Spanky Pete" Rickmyer has been known to work at the store.

The store, pictured above, recently laid down new blacktop in its parking lot, which will undoubtedly improve the store as much as lipstick will improve a pig.

10.) At the very end of the meeting, right before closed session, a relatively recent Jordan resident and proud home owner stepped forward and politely asked to join the board. She highlighted some experience serving on other boards, which she promised to document with a resume.

She was appointed to the board, conditionally, and must present documentation of her residency by the next board meeting.

The appointment is only good until October, when JACC board elections will be held again.

Oh, and on a final note: Slumlord Keith Reitman, who is a JACC board member and usually makes JACC board meetings, missed this particular meeting.

One can't help but suspect the heat is a little too hot in the kitchen for Reitman's tastes, but this is all Johnny Northside Dot Com can say at the present time about this matter.

Stay tuned as more information comes available.

Whorehouse Mattresses Hit The Dumpster At 2700 Morgan Ave. N.

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

The infamous "salmon house" at 2700 Morgan Ave. N. has been boarded up for quite a while now, but in the last few days there was a sudden burst of activity. A dumpster appeared, and the furnishings inside the house--including a bunch of mattresses and box springs--hit the bottom of the bin.

I poked around a bit and took a few pictures. I have to admit, some of the furniture didn't look half bad. If I had a truck I'd be all, like, dude...let's take this stuff to an antique store I know in St. Paul and sell it. THEY don't know it's from a whorehouse.

Besides, I think after you hit the surfaces with Lysol, the fact the stuff is from a whorehouse just adds to the mystique.

(Do not click "Read More")

We Watch, We Call Starts Its Own Facebook Group, Signs Available FREE At North End Hardware And 42nd Ave. Station...

Photo By John Hoff 

Active and involved NoMi residents and businesses continue to hop aboard the We Watch, We Call movement. Recently, the group started its own Facebook group, click here for a link.

Some days ago, while I was driving a truck all over the United States and settling in for the night in Missouri (I think) I received a call from the owner of North End Do It Best hardware. He told me...

The signs are available free at his store, click here for location information, and asked me to do a blog post publicizing that fact. And though it took me a couple days (because the Koenig family has been working extra hard to screw over North Minneapolis through their massive slumification counter-insurgency effort) today I got around to the task first thing in the morning. 

By the way, I love North End Hardware just because it is in North Minneapolis, and the service is friendly, and their location on Penn Ave. N. allows me to take a detour and call 911 on any prostitutes I see in the area of 27th and Penn.

By the way, what's UP with that? Why do the constant complaints of residents never seem to coalesce into enough political capital to get the hookers off Penn Ave. N. once and for all? I'm just saying.

Maybe the signs should say We Watch, We Call, We Drive Around So We Can Watch And Call Even More.

Addendum: Word reaches me the signs are also available free at 42nd Ave. Station. 

And, as always, the signs are available at the Folwell Neighborhood Office at 1206 37th Ave. N., open 9-4 M-F. 

Video Surfaces Of "John vs. Alleged John"

As I reported previously, click here, on Labor Day some residents of the Jordan Pond had quality face-to-face time with a crusty old white dude dropping off a suspected hooker. This snippet of video shows the moment where I was at his car window and pulled out my camera to snap a picture of his face.

As the (suspected) John stepped on the gas, I yelled, "You're famous!"

Ironically, I didn't actually get a picture with the camera, since it takes a moment to focus and warm up. We sure did get his license plate, though!

Please note: the guy who shot this video checked with the other resident captured in the footage to make sure it was OK to put this on the internet. Several other residents who were gathered around the incident were edited out of the tape.

This kind of thing happens with alarming frequency. Even with recent stepped up enforcement, residents can drive around any night of the week and see hookers and dealers in plain sight.

(Do not click "Read More")

Thank You, Public Officials! Morgan Ave. N. House Of Prostitution Boarded Today...

Photos By John Hoff

The notorious house of prostitution at 2700 Morgan Ave. N., known as the "salmon house" because of its color, known as the House of the Rising Salmon on this blog (now that a reader has prevailed upon me to stop using a certain term that starts with "whore" and ends with "house") has been boarded up.

Today.

The photo above shows the boarded front door and the area by the front steps where (apparent) prostitutes and johns would toss their butts.

A nearby resident witnessed city housing inspectors show up with a police escort. Suspected prostitutes were seen loading up their possessions and leaving at the last minute. It is expected the same old girls will be present on Penn Ave. N., but they just won't have the salmon house as a base of operations.

Meanwhile, residents have turned their attention to the fate of the structure--hoping to have it condemned and torn down--plus the next problem house in the area, known as the "brown house." Pit bulls have reportedly been seized at that house in the past, along with treadmills. With 2700 Morgan Ave. N. down, the brown house is expected to take up the slack.

The resident who witnessed today's evacuation said it was "a happy day" while turning attention to watering flowers.

For this resident, there appeared no time to rejoice...attention had to be turned to the "brown house" and the notorious alley bounded by Logan and Morgan, 26th and 27th Ave. N., where drugs and prostitution are constant.

(Do not click "Read More")

A Little Background Info On Prostitution Near 2700 Morgan Ave. N.

Photos By John Hoff

I blew up the background in a couple of recent photos to show the (apparent) prostitution activity taking place under the very noses of residents, most of it coming out of 2700 Morgan Ave. N., a.k.a. "The Salmon House." These photos only show a split second, but if you were standing at the intersection of 27th and Logan you would see the prostitutes walking the street...hailing the cars...getting inside with the customers ("johns") and then, roughly 15 minutes to half an hour later, coming back to the same corner.

Word is, however, housing inspectors will show up TOMORROW at 2700 Morgan Ave. N. to board up the, um, er...what do I call it? One of my readers is asking me not to use a certain word all the time, so I'll just call that place "The House Of The Rising Salmon."

Residents are not getting their hopes up over Monday's planned action. They've heard this so many times before, and yet they keep planting flowers, improving their homes, calling 911 and waiting for a victory which is actually a victory, not just hopes raised high...only to be dashed as more time, more time, and yet more time is given to the hookers. Meanwhile, three of the houses at 27th and Logan are the homes of very small children who see this prostitution activity DAILY.

Notably, there are only TWO PROBLEM HOUSES in this area. If the problems at those two houses went away, life in this little corner of the neighborhood would be perfect.

(Do not click "Read More")

More Pics, Taking Back Logan Avenue N. From Prostitution...

Photos By John Hoff

Here are more pictures of Jordan Neighborhood residents planting flowers--donated by Bachman Floral--to beautify Logan and 27th near the Jordan Pond.

Apparent prostitution activity is visible in the background of the top two photos. Really, I think I'll blow those two photos up to give readers a better look...

(Do not click "Read More")