Blog Upgraded, Thanks For The PayPal Donation!

Stock Photo By John Hoff

So, this morning, I was trying to upload a photo of Local D'Lish store owner Ann Yinn posing with some used egg cartons--which she collects for local farmers markets--and the technical guts of my blog screamed something I'd never heard before. I WAS OUT OF PHOTO STORAGE SPACE.

Yes, this blog puts out so much image content that we've surpassed the "free space limits" of Blogspot! As you may have noticed...

I believe EVERY POST MUST HAVE A PICTURE, even if it's just a stock photo. Furthermore, this blog goes to tremendous lengths to get photographs, whether that means crawling across the surface of a not-quite-frozen lake, or purchasing cheap "gangster cams" to replace yet another low-cost, broken camera--or borrowing the cameras of friends like Megan Goodmundson, Jeff Skrenes (the Hawthorne Hawkman) or Connie Nompelis. (No-bell-iss, it's Greek)

Also, many readers have contributed photos, too many to list. Thank you, JNS blog readers. 

In any case, for a relatively low sum of money, I managed to purchase 20 gigabytes of data space for photos. (To give you some idea of how much that is, apparently this blog was already using 1 "gig" when we ran out of space this morning)

Thankfully, this blog recently received a $25 donation through PayPal, which I want to gratefully acknowledge.

Violent, Bizarre Incident Completely Dominates This Week's Fourth Precinct Highlights...

Photo By John Hoff

Last night, it seemed like every cop in North Minneapolis was suddenly rushing to 29th Ave. N. and Knox Ave. N., and I just happened to be in the area with a camera. From the scene, I sent updates to Twitter, but it was hard to figure out what was happening except the police were searching for somebody with a dog and one individual was sighted being taken into custody, see photo above.

Today, the Fourth Precinct Highlights went out on various email listservs, and somehow this one incident managed to...

...get mentioned in the highlights over and over.

Here are excerpts...the story comes together in bits and pieces, but one thing is pretty clear: MPD did a great job on a bitterly cold night, getting these thugs and their firearms off the street.

Monday 01-04-10
19:04 hrs

10-003200

Squads were attempting to stop a vehicle wanted in a robbery; but, it wouldn't stop. Pursuit entailed when suspects bailed and were running. Officers and K9 took custody of AP1/Zarzar, Mitchell BM 22 yrs., and AP2/Migmen, Abel BM 22 yrs. carrying a .357 cal 6-shot revolver w/3.75 BBL at this address. Female resident has seen them before in African community and maybe they visited her cousin when she was at work. The gun was hidden in her house.

(Related cases: 10-003127 and 10-003211)

PURSUIT

10-003200 Related: 10-003127, 10-003211 1906-1911 hrs ”5 minutes

Length of Pursuit: Started: 21/Fremont Ave N, Ended: 2926 Knox Ave N (2-3 miles)

Reason: Squad 959 noticed MN SMS 282 at 21/Fremont Ave N. This vehicle was used in a Kidnapping/AGG Robbery of Person at Gunpoint in North Minneapolis earlier in the evening. Squads attempted to stop the vehicle using their emergency equipment at Golden Valley RD/Morgan. Suspects failed to stop and pursuit was aired. Speeds were 20-30 mph. Streets were very icy and slippery.

In front of 29xx Knox Ave N, driver bailed and ran into. Suspects taken into custody/booked HCJ. Suspects involved in two Kidnap/Robberies, one of which, they kidnapped a victim from Anoka and dropped him off in N. Minneapolis. (10-003211).
Resources: K-9

10-003127

Robbery of Person/Kidnapping

Male victim called to say that he was kidnapped at gunpoint in Anoka. V1 states he was driven around Anoka and later into North Minneapolis. V1 states 2 black males made him strip. When he was eventually let out of veh, he was given his clothing back except his shoes. V1 went door-to-door trying to get help in area of Broadway/Aldrich. V1 was robbed of wallet, cell phone w/gun to his head. When officers attempt to make contact with V1 for Show Up, officers are unable to locate V1 as employees of Hotel believe he left for dinner. V1's phone was taken so officers unable to call for Show Up.

10-003200 Flee of Robbery vehicle from 10-003,127

Officer was driving in the area of North Minneapolis when he spots the Suspect Robbery vehicle from 003,127. After waiting for other squads to get into position to assist with stop, suspect takes off and flees from officers. Suspect eventually bails in front of 29xx Knox Av. N.

Driver/Suspect was taken into custody by K9. Passenger/Suspect run into rear of 29xx Knox with Officers in Hot Pursuit. Officers stand by in house for K9 to come inside and locate Passenger/Suspect in upstairs bedroom.

Owner of the house who was outside when suspects bail from car, give verbal and written consent to search her home. The gun is located in a closet and Passenger/Suspects jacket was also located in the room which he was hiding. Both are positively ID'd by victim from 10-003211.

10-003211 AOA

While still on scene at 29xx Knox Av. N., officers notice another Robbery of Person in calls pending. Upon looking at remarks, it states that V1 was kidnapped in Anoka, robbed at gunpoint and transported into No. Minneapolis. Squad gets info from another victim who states that while in Anoka, he is approached by 2 BMs driving a red Ford Contour (Same as original robbery) and Kidnapped at gunpoint. Victim states he is driven around Anoka, Coon Rapids and later into No. Mpls. to Broadway and Lyndale. He is eventually let out by suspects after they rob him of his wallet and cell. V1 transported to scene for a Show Up and ID'd both suspects/gun used in Robbery.

Don Samuels Looks Forward To Continued Progress In NoMi...

Following his swearing-in yesterday, Council Member Don Samuels made some videotaped remarks, vowing to continue the progress North Minneapolis has been making in the last few years, with a focus on the well-being of children in terms of their education and safety.

Inside his small office--very plain except for the display of numerous action figures which Don either designed or accumulated during his time as a toy designer-- Samuels displayed some souvenirs of his last time in office, including bullets which came from...

...a single shooting incident, displayed in a glass right next to a brick from the demolition of the notorious Big Stop store. Somewhere in the office there is also a brick from the former Uncle Bill's store, a.ka. Uncle Lennie's. 



Fortunately, shootings and crime-ridden "inconvenience stores" are becoming increasingly rare in North Minneapolis as revitalization rolls inexorably forward.



Above, State Representative Bobby Jo Champion congratulates Samuels.



A framed Star Tribune article on the wall harkens back to the time when Don Samuels went on a fast to draw attention to the crime problem in North Minneapolis, and the need for public officials to do something. The fast was sparked by an incident in which a toddler was shot and injured. Ironically, the 19-month-old girl who was the catalyst for Don to go on this fast is actually the niece of Kenya McKnight, who ran against Samuels in the last election...producing an abysmal vote total.

The picture is an interesting composite of characters. Please note Mayor Rybak during his first term without a gray hair on his head. Also pictured is Chief Dolan, who was then Inspector Dolan of the Fourth Precinct. The female on the left is Sharon Lubinski, who is now Assistant Chief, but was recently appointed U.S. Marshall for the District of Minnesota.



Above, Samuels displays the rope which held up his tent during his July of 2003 fasting vigil in the Jordan Neighborhood.



Above, Don Samuels with his daughter, Saina. (Pronounced "Zay-nah") 



Don posing with his family after the swearing-in. The young woman on the left is Asante Samuels, who is in that "too cool to be seen with my parents" phase. (No matter how good her parents are at fighting crime!) Word is Asante is going to have some instructional cooking videos up on YouTube in the near future, which will feature both Asante and her father. I've had some pastries baked by Asante and she is an excellent cook.

Congratulations, again, Don and we're looking forward to you fulfilling your promise to work EVEN HARDER in the next four years to keep making our neighborhood better.

Mayor Rybak Highlights North Minneapolis Progress In Inauguration Speech...

At his inauguration speech yesterday, Mayor Rybak spoke about how--four years ago--a decision was made to concentrate on making life better in North Minneapolis, and how that effort is paying off handsomely. Here is video of that portion of Rybak's speech.

(Do not click "Read More")

JNS BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Photo Of Notorious Slumlord Mahmood Khan!

Photo By Megan Goodmundson

Mahmood Khan hit the public radar in a big way when the body of Annshalike Hamilton turned up at his decrepit, neglected property at 2222 4th Street North. (The crime is still unsolved) That incident led neighborhood activists to scrutinize Khan's property holdings more closely and realize this guy...

...had a bunch of slummy properties. Recently, the city council voted to raze 2222 4th St. N. after giving Khan plenty of slack...slack he only used to hang himself.

Despite all the attention paid to Khan on this blog, no picture of him was available. That is to say, until today.

Megan Goodmundson snapped this photo of Khan at yesterday's swearing-in of the Mayor and city council. At the ceremony, Khan was observed to speak with Robert Lilligren, Ward 6, and Don Samuels, Ward 5. He then proceeded to follow Megan Goodmundson around like a big slummy puppy dog, trying to get information about what she wanted with the photo.

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.

Mortgage Fraud Trials Pending For Tynessia Snoddy, Susan Newell...

Contributed Photo, 1564 Hillside Ave. N., involved in mortgage fraud 

According to the Media Relations Office of the Hennepin County Attorney, "the curtain rises tomorrow" on the trial of Susan Newell for mortgage fraud. 

A previous trial of Newell resulted in a hung jury. Rumor around the courthouse is a single juror decided to stick with her dictionary definition of "swindle" rather than the statutory definition. That probably won't happen again with this trial. Click here for more information about the charges against Susan Newell.

Also, many JNS Blog readers have been wondering when the trial of Tynessia Snoddy will move forward. Word from Media Relations is a hearing will happen on March 19, 2010 and the trial itself is set for July 6, 2010. Snoddy is charged with four counts of identity fraud. The facts of her case are intertwined with those of convicted mortgage fraudster Larry Maxwell. 

Snoddy--whose birthday is 4/30/1974--is reportedly represented by criminal defense attorney Emmett Donnelly, whose clients include, for example, Jamaal Freeman, who was accused of killing bicyclist Mark Loesch, click here for the criminal indictment.

(Do not click "Read More")

Hennepin County Attorney Keeps Busy With North, Northeast Crime...

Stock Photo By John Hoff

Recently, while trying to flesh out a blog post about Edgar Barrientos--a convicted murderer whose arrest was featured on an episode of A&E's "The First 48"--I found myself on the County Attorney's website, looking at an alphabetical list of recent criminal complaints, click here for the site.

To my delight, I was able to pull up numerous criminal complaints which involved cracking down on North and Northeast Minneapolis crime, including the shooting of Haywood Eaton (pictured above) and emergency assistance fraud where some North Minneapolis addresses were involved. The complaints were not brief summaries, but images of the original documents.

I had to wonder why I'd never been to this site before, since it was so useful, but then I noticed the site was turning up relatively low Google rankings when I was searching for "Edgar Barrientos."

I thought it would be informative to go through the long alphabetical list of criminal complaints and pull out some interesting cases which are North and Northeast Minneapolis related...


It should be noted most of the crime documented in the online criminal complaints is NOT from North and Northeast. All of Hennepin County is represented, including suburbs.

So here we go, not quite in alphabetical order.

First, YOLANDA WILLIAMS was (allegedly) involved in welfare assistance theft, and several of the addresses used--fraudulently used, it appears, and not actually OWNED by fraudsters--were in North Minneapolis. Yolanda Williams was an insider, working for Hennepin County. Click here for a copy of her indictment. Another of the Hennepin County insiders was FELECIA BELL, click here for her complaint document. Yet another names AARON MAURICE SHAW II, click here for the complaint document.

It appears something of a "house cleaning" has been going on with Hennepin County. A Buildings Operations Manager named ANGELA MARIE BENNETT-DWANYEN was charged for claiming more than 500 hours of work time in which she allegedly wasn't working, click here for the paperwork. Also, the employee of a contractor working for Hennepin County--Scott Oldenburg--was charged for allegedly stealing phone equipment, click here for complaint document.

If I had to take a guess about how things went down in Hennepin County, I'd say that somewhere along the line somebody was accused of wrongdoing, and began spilling the beans on others...and that caused a whole chain of fraud and deceit to unravel.

Moving on from the "Hennepin County insiders" to other crime...

The criminal complaint against DENNELL "L'IL DON" RAY MALONE, JR. in the shooting of Haywood Eaton contains little information NOT already found in the media, except for the fact no less than six witnesses fingered Malone from a photo lineup. The criminal complaint was made before Malone was in custody. Click here for the criminal complaint. Malone took a plea and has already been found guilty in the shooting, so maybe it's safe to buy a burger again at the Burger King next to the notorious drug-infested Hawthorn (sic) Crossings strip mall.

Then again, maybe not.

CHRISTOPHER DINEAA BAHTUOH, A.K.A. "FAT CHRIS, killed a Roosevelt High School varsity basketball player named Kyle Parker. Click here for the criminal complaint. This shooting was featured on A&E's "First 48 Hours" in the episode called "Heart of Gold/Last Breath."

It was EDGAR BARRIENTOS who started me off on this whole search. Here is a copy of his criminal complaint, click here. Additional info not found in the media to date include gritty details of the melee of bullets, and the fact Barrientos--in his mid-20s--dated a girl of high school age who attended Roosevelt High School. The main connection with North Minneapolis is the fact Barrientos' attorney, Ben Myers, is a colorful, pitiable character from the Jordan Neighborhood.

JEFFREY ROBERT CHOSA is a resident of Northeast Minneapolis (2542 Polk Street NE) who was allegedly involved in a stupid and violent beating over $20 worth of alcohol which resulted in the death of the beating victim. Click here for a copy of his criminal complaint. A relative of Chosa--FRANKLIN ANTHONY CHOSA--was also involved and has his own charges, click here.

CURTIS LARRY COLEMAN was involved in a classic example of thug crime. In a dispute over ownership of a freezer, he ordered his pit bull named "Lucy" to attack the victim. The attack happened at 2222 McNair Avenue, which is in North Minneapolis, click here for the criminal complaint. It should come as no surprise this property is owned by notorious slumlord Gregge K. Johnson, who has been mentioned on this blog a number of times, and undoubtedly will be mentioned again. Gregge Johnson apparently has a propensity for taking in tenants who set their pit bulls loose on people. This event sounds eerily similar to the notorious incident at 1716 26th Ave. N., which set off the 2002 "gang house riot."

Curtis Coleman might be the thug with the pit bull, but it's Gregge Johnson who needs to be in jail.

Moving on from there...

ANTONIO RASHAUN DALE, a.k.a. "TROUBLE," last resided at 3718 Washburn Ave. N. In an altercation at Blondie's Bar in Brooklyn Park, "Trouble" shot and killed Romel Jones, Jr., whose nickname is "Bullet." Click here for the criminal complaint. One can't help but feel something like this was predestined when these thugs got their nicknames.

GEORGE WATKINS was charged with the murder of Jamis Marks in a Robbinsdale home invasion, an incident which received extensive media coverage. Watkins was found not guilty by a jury. Watkins was a resident of North Minneapolis, residing at 1127 Humbolt Ave. N. The property is owned by Amalgamated Gent Concern, LLC, a name which turns up as the owner of a troublesome property at 751 Tyler Street in Northeast Minneapolis, click here for more info.

Watkins was charged with false imprisonment and terroristic threats, click here for criminal complaint. An associate of Watkins named ARTHUR FIELDS is charged with witness tampering and terroristic threats. Both incidents appear to be associated with a woman whose initials are "J.H.," who was reportedly a witness against Watkins.

The other alleged person allegedly involved in the Jamis Marks murder, click here for criminal complaint, was Keith Merchand Hemphill, whose address is 2653 Lyndale Ave. N., Apt. 102. (It should be noted 2653 Lyndale Ave. N. is a condemned building. It was condemned April 10, 2009. The owner is Steven J. Gotham. Interestingly, Gotham's name turns up on another Hawthorne Neighborhood property, a vacant lot at 2826 Bryant Ave. N., which has now gone into tax forfeiture.

GILBERTO HERRERA GONZALEZ resides at 1631 Sheridan Ave. N., a property which appears to be homesteaded by a relative with the same last name. Gonzalez is accused of raping a 3-year-old female and--based on the criminal complaint, click here--the evidence appears overwhelmingly solid.

PIERRE LAVONTAE GRAY is accused of second degree murder of a child. Basically, he beat his own daughter to death for urinating on herself, ALLEGEDLY. Click here for the criminal complaint. Gray's address was 412 Madison St. NE, a property where the taxpayer is listed as MDC 2000 Investments, Inc. and the taxpayer is a Doug A. Wahl. (Notably, the criminal complaint lists his address as "Madison Ave. NE" but that address does not appear to exist. It is assumed the address is, in fact, 412 Madison St. NE)

CAMERON JAMAL GRAY shot a man in the guts in a dispute over basketball, allegedly. The shooting happened in Northeast, in a park located at 1615 Pierce Street Northeast. Cameron Gray resided in North Minneapolis at 1215 Queen Ave. N. Click here for the criminal complaint.

MELISSA KATHLEEN HEUS was charged with criminal vehicular homicide, click here for the criminal complaint. She has already been convicted, click here for news coverage. Her residence was in Northeast, at 1839 Monroe St. NE, #1.

WILLIAM LEON LANE, a.k.a. "BIT-BIT," is accused of shooting and killing a man in the alley behind 1411 Plymouth Ave. N. (The victim and car turned up at 1416 11th Ave. N.) Luckily, "Bit-Bit" had a unique nickname, and officers managed to find him and charge him with the murder, click here for the criminal complaint. Also, "Bit-Bit" is not from North Minneapolis, even though he shot a man here. (Allegedly) "Bit-Bit" came to North Minneapolis from his residence in Plymouth, Minnesota to do his nasty deeds. (Allegedly)

RICHARD LOFTUS was allegedly involved in some kind of elaborate theft-by-swindle against his own wife and friends, click here for the criminal complaint, and his address is listed as 3711 Washburn Ave., but the swindle apparently didn't take place in North or Northeast Minneapolis.

SOBHY MEHRAT is charged with "going Lennie Chism" while operating a motor vehicle, driving aggressively and erratically while a female identified as "M.M." was trying to exit the vehicle, managing to damage 9 cars and a shopping cart coral. Allegedly. Click here for the criminal complaint. The alleged bumper car spree happened at the Cub Foods in Crystal, Minnesota, but Mehrat's residence is 4047 Bryant Ave. N.

BRIAN JEFFREY MILLER is accused of getting into some kind of stupid altercation and killing another guy with a knife, click here for the criminal complaint. Miller's residence is 2946 Ulysses Street, which the indictment misspells as "Ulyssess." For some reason, the indictment says the murder happened at the "1000 Block of Lowry Ave. NE" instead of giving a specific address.

PIERRE ROMEL MILLER was allegedly involved in the September 28, 2009 shooting which happened at a car wash in Northeast, click here for a link about that. Here is Miller's criminal complaint, click here. Miller is listed as "homeless" on the indictment, the only instance I saw of that. Kelvin Roberts was also allegedly involved in the murder, according to an account in the media, but no copy of the Kelvin Roberts indictment is currently on the Hennepin Country Attorney website.

EMILY ANN ROITENBERG lives in the North Loop Neighborhood--in a very expensive loft building, as a matter of fact, at 730 North 4th Street, No. 607--and wanted to inherit a large sum of money by having her mother-in-law whacked, click here for the criminal complaint.

CONNIE ANN STROUD was involved in a high-profile drunk driving crash in North Minneapolis--near the 49th Avenue North ramp--which caused a pregnant woman to lose her baby. Here is media coverage of the incident. Click here for a copy of the criminal complaint.

GARY VUE was indicted and ultimately convicted in a cold case; the July 10, 2001 "mistaken identity" gang shooting of a guy named Za Xiong, who was found dead in a vehicle at 3610 Humboldt Avenue North. Here is a media account about Vue's conviction, click here. Here is the criminal complaint document, click here.

RICARDO RYDALE WALKER was allegedly involved in the thuggish shooting of another thug at an apartment building located on the 3700 block of Girard Avenue North, click here for the criminal complaint. Walker's address was 2954 Oliver Avenue North, Apartment 1. The building is owned by a Jorge Morales Heyser of Rochester, Minnesota.

It should be noted only a small percent of the criminal complaints handled by the Hennepin County Attorney are posted on this website.

If you want to look up criminal records, a great source is http://www.mncourts.gov.

Questions And Indictment Document In "Heart Of The Earth" Embezzlement Case...

Photo By John Hoff

The "Heart of the Earth" School was in the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood, which is in the same political ward as my own Hawthorne Neighborhood, which is Ward 3.

Due to my long association with the University of Minnesota, I make an effort to cover news stories in Marcy-Holmes, Stadium Village, and the West Bank...at least when I stumble right over the stories. More than a year ago...

I read some of the media coverage about the financial scandal at "Heart of the Earth" charter school and the charges against Joel Pourier, the former executive director. The school is at 1209 4th St. SE. Right after the scandal became public, I was going by the school one day and noticed this sign in the window, which I photographed.

Today, while going through the County Attorney's website to find indictments related to criminal behavior in North and Northeast Minneapolis, I came upon the rather long and involved indictment against Joel Pourier, click here for the indictment.

So...all of this information about the charges came out more than a year ago, but my question is: What happened with that? Was Pourier convicted? Is he still facing trial? What's the deal?

Donny Dirk's Zombie Den - a Reason to Cheer in 2009!

Guest post by the Hawthorne Hawkman. Photos by the Hawkman, John Hoff, and Bryan Thao Worra.

This blog was proudly boasting about the hottest new night spot in town long before anyone else. (Click here, here, and here for a few other examples of the awesomeness that is Donny Dirk's Zombie Den.)

Well, it didn't take long for others to take notice. Most recently...

The Star Tribune listed Donny Dirk's #2 in their "Finding nine reasons to cheer Twin Cities culture in '09" article. (Disclaimer: Strib links often "go dead," and not in a zombiefied way, after a while, so this story may not be available in the future. Johnny Northside will always be there for you, however.)

Pictured above, the avocado-green exterior, some of the zombie kitsch found inside, and me showing off my Tommytronic 3-D racing game to fellow NoMi geek Bryan Thao Worra.

Hawthorne is proud to have Donny Dirk's in the neighborhood. Come on by, and you'll probably run into resident activists celebrating the most recent historic changes in our community!

Hawthorne EcoVillage to Break Ground!

Guest post by the Hawthorne Hawkman. Image from www.ppl-inc.org and the livemsp.org facebook page. A version of this post originally appeared on the Hawthorne Voices blog.

This blog has reported extensively on the EcoVillage, its trials and tribulations, and its successes. In fact, the EcoVillage was the site of Johnny Northside's foray into the ultra-affordable home ownership opportunities in NoMi. (Click here for that story.)

After years of clearing out the criminal element, going through acquisition processes that were often made agonizingly slow and complex by the mortgage meltdown, and establishing a neighborhood vision, we are now breaking ground on Thursday January 7, 2010, 2:30 p.m. at 400 31st Ave N. After that brief ceremony, a reception will be held at Farview Park.

The following post appeared on the Hawthorne Voices blog...

On Thursday January 7, 2010, the Hawthorne EcoVillage will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on its first new construction! Hawthorne residents realized early on that it would take a "pioneering spirit" to bring people into the neighborhood in light of many of the challenges we faced. Well before "green" became a buzzword in the housing industry, Hawthorne community members decided to build off of that pioneering spirit by setting a goal that the EcoVillage development would be among the first LEED-certified projects in the nation.

With a $500,000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation, cluster status designation from the Northside Home Fund, the help of many partners listed above, and the vision and dedication of our neighborhood, the EcoVillage has already made a significant difference in the community. Valeria Golebiowski, a resident for over 43 years, had struggled with the rampant crime, foreclosures, squatters, and problem properties in the area and at one point was close to selling her home as a result. Thanks to the strides made through this development, her commitment to the neighborhood has redoubled. "If not for the EcoVillage, I'd be leaving," she said.

Come join us on Thursday, January 7, 2:30 p.m. for a brief groundbreaking ceremony at 400 31st Ave N, the site of the first new construction unit of the EcoVillage. We know it's cold, so a reception will follow at Farview Park nearby. A heartfelt thanks goes out to all of our residents and partners for making this day possible!

(End Hawthorne Voices post, begin a moment of reflection by the Hawthorne Hawkman)

This day has been a long time coming. So many neighborhood residents and so many excellent partners have contributed immeasurably to our community by taking one of the roughest spots around and TRANSFORMING it. That work has largely consisted of the removal of negative elements such as crime and dilapidated housing. Knowing that 2010 marks the beginning of building new houses in the EcoVillage is exciting and inspiring beyond words. To all who have contributed in any way, I simply cannot thank you enough. I hope to see you on Thursday as we celebrate!

A&E "The First 48" Featured Minneapolis Murderer Edgar Barrientos...

Stock photo by John Hoff

Convicted murderer Edgar Barrientos has at least one North Minneapolis connection: one of his lawyers was Ben Myers, who was so involved in the messy, pointless "Old Majority" attempt to retain power in the Jordan Area Community Council, (JACC) a matter extensively reported (and sometimes parodied) on this blog.

In the course of the "Old Majority" court trial, this blog reported on the concurrent murder trial of Barrientos and the composition of the jury which--like practically every jury in Hennepin County--looks like an Apple Valley PTA meeting.

Indicted criminals in Hennepin County should desperately seek a plea bargain.

I'm just saying.

Anyway, recently, an episode of of the television program "The First 48" (click for their website) featured Edgar Barrientos and gave an inside look at how Barrientos was singled out as the prime suspect in a Minneapolis murder. The episode may have been a re-run, but I'd never seen it before.

I knew the Minneapolis police were good at solving murders. I didn't realize this particular murder had been solved so quickly or, for that matter, how it was the subject of a gripping documentary.

Keep up the great work, MPD!

(As for Ben Myers--Ben, you continue to suck)

(Do not click "Read More")

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!)