Stock photo, weathered dollar bill, blog post by John Hoff
There really should be some kind of "Welcome To North Minneapolis" message painted somewhere. I've suggested the old railroad bridge near Broadway Pizza.
But instead of a painted welcome message, we have Jerry Jordan Calhoun, a professional panhandler and druggie who likes to station himself right at Broadway and Washington.
Have you ever WATCHED a professional panhandler doing his thing? Cars pass by filled with kindly souls, some of whom will hand over a Styrofoam box of hot food. The panhandler will nod and smile, but it's a tight-lipped smile, as though to say, "Why won't you sons-of-bitches give me MONEY like I asked? DAMN IT I NEED A DRINK!!!!"
As soon as his benefactors are out of sight, the box of food is set down somewhere, possibly never to be touched again. Go to the places where panhandlers habitually panhandle, look around, and often you will see cast-off gifts of consumable items littering the ground.
Once, when I was attending U of M and studying Public Administration, I was walking in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood (Ward 3!) when I saw the driver of a passing car hand over a box of food, the box actually steaming in the cold morning air. The panhandler stood with the box of hot food, waiting for the car to leave when the light changed.
"You want that?" I asked, walking by.
He wordlessly handed me the box.
Mmmmmm. Sesame chicken and fried rice!
There are First Amendment issues associated with panhandling. People have a right to ask for money based on nothing more than pathetic, unwashed need and an unwillingness to use the system to get ahead due to personality issues.
Oh, yes.
But the government has a right to create rationale "time, place and manner" restrictions. Like, "Not within 80 feet of an ATM" or "not on a busy freeway exit."
And what does Calhoun do with the money he collects from well-meaning suckers?
It would appear Calhoun uses drugs, based on the time Calhoun was caught with drug paraphernalia at KFC, along with his no account friend Calvin Eldridge Smith.
It's hard for a mere panhandler to get on the civic radar to the point a special effort is made to prosecute him. But through hard work--or a concerted LACK of hard work, just begging for money--Jerry Jordan Calhoun has passed that threshold.
What should I say? Congratulations?
Here's the sampling of police reports sent around by the Fourth Precinct, and god bless them! I will be sending my impact statement from the other side of the planet, but I will send it...
Report Details
Reported Date: Oct 28, 2010 16:16 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Oct 28, 2010 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: CONTMP Desc: Contempt of Court Statute: 588.01 Attempted:
Address: Broadway AV W
Minneapolis, MN
Intersection: Washington AV N
Occurred From: 10/28/2010 14:59 Occurred To: 10/28/2010 14:59
Public Data
I observed A1 at the above location. A1 is geographically restricted from this location per the courts. A1 was cited for listed charge.
A1 is known offender.
Case closed with tag
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Oct 28, 2010 15:04
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor CONTMP - Contempt of Court 588.01 110203128
----------
Public Information Report Minneapolis Police Department CCN: MP-09-346601
Report Details
Reported Date: Nov 9, 2009 00:45 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Nov 9, 2009 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 17 AV N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Intersection: Washington AV N
Occurred From: 11/08/2009 16:23 Occurred To: 11/08/2009 16:23
Public Data
I was in a marked squad when I observed A1 standing near the state "No Trespassing" sign which is posted on the exit ramp from I94. A1 was holding a panhandling sign attempting to get money from vehicles exiting the freeway. I stopped A1 and he stated that he saw the No Trespassing sign. A1 was cited for Trespassing and released.
case closed with tag.
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N: ext. n
Date of Birth: 07/03/1965 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Nov 8, 2009 16:26
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 109201620
----------
Report Details
Reported Date: Sep 22, 2010 15:39 Reporting Officer: 000725: James Boyd
Last Uploaded: Sep 23, 2010 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 7 ST N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Intersection: Lyndale AV N
Occurred From: 09/22/2010 15:11 Occurred To: 09/22/2010 15:15
Public Data
Ap1 was standing on the southeast corner of the above in front of a MNDOT no tresspassing zone. These areas are designated by MNDOT to be areas of high crime of loitering tresspass and other related crimes. Per administration memo 2 summers ago. Ap1 has been seen efore in other MNDOT no tresspassing zones and was Id'd per MDC and NCIC in the squad computer. Ap1 was cited in lieu of arrest for tresspass.
Case Closed /Citation
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: Npa
Telephone: H:none
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Sep 22, 2010 15:00
Arrest Location:
Disposition: Cited Released
Arresting Officer: 000725: Boyd, James W Call/Sqd: 410
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Other Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 110032672
-------------
Report Details
Reported Date: Dec 8, 2009 00:48 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Dec 8, 2009 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: POSDPA Desc: Drug Paraphernalia Statute: 223.235 Attempted:
Offense2: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 1301 Broadway AV W
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Occurred From: 12/03/2009 19:22 Occurred To: 12/03/2009 19:22
Public Data
We received a 911 call from KFC regarding three males inside the store. Two of the males were stopped and drug paraphernalia was located. Both were cited for POSDPA and TRSPAS. A1 was ID'ed by HENRAP. A2 is known to officers from previous contacts.
Case closed with tags.
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Smith, Calvin Eldridge
Residence: 1025 Portland AV S
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 01/30/1971 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: Dec 3, 2009 18:42
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor POSDPA - Drug Paraphernalia 223.235 109201755
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 "
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A002 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 43 Est. Age: 43 - 43
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Dec 3, 2009 19:45
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor POSDPA - Drug Paraphernalia 223.235 109201756
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 "
But instead of a painted welcome message, we have Jerry Jordan Calhoun, a professional panhandler and druggie who likes to station himself right at Broadway and Washington.
Have you ever WATCHED a professional panhandler doing his thing? Cars pass by filled with kindly souls, some of whom will hand over a Styrofoam box of hot food. The panhandler will nod and smile, but it's a tight-lipped smile, as though to say, "Why won't you sons-of-bitches give me MONEY like I asked? DAMN IT I NEED A DRINK!!!!"
As soon as his benefactors are out of sight, the box of food is set down somewhere, possibly never to be touched again. Go to the places where panhandlers habitually panhandle, look around, and often you will see cast-off gifts of consumable items littering the ground.
Once, when I was attending U of M and studying Public Administration, I was walking in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood (Ward 3!) when I saw the driver of a passing car hand over a box of food, the box actually steaming in the cold morning air. The panhandler stood with the box of hot food, waiting for the car to leave when the light changed.
"You want that?" I asked, walking by.
He wordlessly handed me the box.
Mmmmmm. Sesame chicken and fried rice!
There are First Amendment issues associated with panhandling. People have a right to ask for money based on nothing more than pathetic, unwashed need and an unwillingness to use the system to get ahead due to personality issues.
Oh, yes.
But the government has a right to create rationale "time, place and manner" restrictions. Like, "Not within 80 feet of an ATM" or "not on a busy freeway exit."
And what does Calhoun do with the money he collects from well-meaning suckers?
It would appear Calhoun uses drugs, based on the time Calhoun was caught with drug paraphernalia at KFC, along with his no account friend Calvin Eldridge Smith.
It's hard for a mere panhandler to get on the civic radar to the point a special effort is made to prosecute him. But through hard work--or a concerted LACK of hard work, just begging for money--Jerry Jordan Calhoun has passed that threshold.
What should I say? Congratulations?
Here's the sampling of police reports sent around by the Fourth Precinct, and god bless them! I will be sending my impact statement from the other side of the planet, but I will send it...
Report Details
Reported Date: Oct 28, 2010 16:16 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Oct 28, 2010 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: CONTMP Desc: Contempt of Court Statute: 588.01 Attempted:
Address: Broadway AV W
Minneapolis, MN
Intersection: Washington AV N
Occurred From: 10/28/2010 14:59 Occurred To: 10/28/2010 14:59
Public Data
I observed A1 at the above location. A1 is geographically restricted from this location per the courts. A1 was cited for listed charge.
A1 is known offender.
Case closed with tag
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Oct 28, 2010 15:04
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor CONTMP - Contempt of Court 588.01 110203128
----------
Public Information Report Minneapolis Police Department CCN: MP-09-346601
Report Details
Reported Date: Nov 9, 2009 00:45 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Nov 9, 2009 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 17 AV N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Intersection: Washington AV N
Occurred From: 11/08/2009 16:23 Occurred To: 11/08/2009 16:23
Public Data
I was in a marked squad when I observed A1 standing near the state "No Trespassing" sign which is posted on the exit ramp from I94. A1 was holding a panhandling sign attempting to get money from vehicles exiting the freeway. I stopped A1 and he stated that he saw the No Trespassing sign. A1 was cited for Trespassing and released.
case closed with tag.
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N: ext. n
Date of Birth: 07/03/1965 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Nov 8, 2009 16:26
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 109201620
----------
Report Details
Reported Date: Sep 22, 2010 15:39 Reporting Officer: 000725: James Boyd
Last Uploaded: Sep 23, 2010 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 7 ST N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Intersection: Lyndale AV N
Occurred From: 09/22/2010 15:11 Occurred To: 09/22/2010 15:15
Public Data
Ap1 was standing on the southeast corner of the above in front of a MNDOT no tresspassing zone. These areas are designated by MNDOT to be areas of high crime of loitering tresspass and other related crimes. Per administration memo 2 summers ago. Ap1 has been seen efore in other MNDOT no tresspassing zones and was Id'd per MDC and NCIC in the squad computer. Ap1 was cited in lieu of arrest for tresspass.
Case Closed /Citation
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: Npa
Telephone: H:none
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 44 Est. Age: 44 - 44
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male Prior Injury: No
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Sep 22, 2010 15:00
Arrest Location:
Disposition: Cited Released
Arresting Officer: 000725: Boyd, James W Call/Sqd: 410
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Other Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 110032672
-------------
Report Details
Reported Date: Dec 8, 2009 00:48 Reporting Officer: 000324: Brandon Bartholomew
Last Uploaded: Dec 8, 2009 Date Printed: Aug 10, 2011
Related CCN : --
Precinct: 04
Incident Details
Offense1: POSDPA Desc: Drug Paraphernalia Statute: 223.235 Attempted:
Offense2: TRSPAS Desc: Trespassing Statute: 609.605 Attempted:
Address: 1301 Broadway AV W
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Occurred From: 12/03/2009 19:22 Occurred To: 12/03/2009 19:22
Public Data
We received a 911 call from KFC regarding three males inside the store. Two of the males were stopped and drug paraphernalia was located. Both were cited for POSDPA and TRSPAS. A1 was ID'ed by HENRAP. A2 is known to officers from previous contacts.
Case closed with tags.
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A001 MPD#:
Name: Smith, Calvin Eldridge
Residence: 1025 Portland AV S
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 01/30/1971 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: Dec 3, 2009 18:42
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor POSDPA - Drug Paraphernalia 223.235 109201755
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 "
Arrestee
Role / Role #: A002 MPD#:
Name: Calhoun, Jerry Jordan
Residence: 1322 Emerson AV N
Minneapolis, MN
Telephone: N:
Date of Birth: 07/03/1966 Event Age: 43 Est. Age: 43 - 43
Race: Black Medical Treatment: No
Sex: Male
Height:
Build:
Arrest Information
Arrest Address: Precinct:
Arrest Date: Dec 3, 2009 19:45
Arrest Location:
Disposition: cited released
Arresting Officer: 000324: Bartholomew, Brandon Michael Call/Sqd: 8422
Arresting Officer: 007856: Tucker, Christopher D Call/Sqd: 8422
Charges
Status Type Charge Code Statute Citation Related CCN
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor POSDPA - Drug Paraphernalia 223.235 109201756
Misdemeanor Misdemeanor TRSPAS - Trespassing 609.605 "
We can thank not only the 4th Precinct, but also the East Gateway Partnership and the many participating businesses along Broadway for this progress.
ReplyDeleteSomehow it just doesn't sound the same to say "God Bless the East Gateway Partnership" as it does to say "God Bless The 4th Precinct."
ReplyDelete