As a fellow blogger, I have struggled to find a way to write about the extremes of homeless drug addiction. One side views them as criminals, while the other sees them as victims, leaving solutions seemingly lost in the debate. This post is the most thoughtful thing I have read on the topic. Thanks, Terry!
Thank you for this. Excellent assessment, not shying away from the facts and key issues involved. Also a related issue: how to address long-derelict properties such as some on East Lake Street, including Hamoudi Sabri's own dilapidated ruin at 2716 E. Lake Street where he "hosted" the encampment. Laughable that the Star Tribune uses terms such as "prolific developer" and "prominent" to describe him, when his encampment wars with the city seem to be his most noteworthy quality. Residents are exhausted from the political theater. Rebuilding community life, supporting small businesses in the corridor, and being able to go about daily life and enjoy one's own neighborhood regardless of where we live in the city really do matter.
Excerpt.. "Now, state lawmakers in Sacramento, backed by mayors, have introduced new laws and bills that would help bring more people into treatment, even if it's against their will. Last year, legislators approved a new system of CARE Courts, where judges issue treatment plans. That program begins on a pilot basis this fall in eight counties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco counties, with the rest of the state expected to join next year."
I don’t fully understand the homeless problem. It’s complex. But at the same time, it seems clear that drugs are at the core of the violence. We need to offer housing and treatment, and if refused, we need to mandate treatment. Take away the customers, and the gang problem gets tamped down too.
Terry - thank you for the wonderful overview of this. While mandating treatment is hard and I would typically try to avoid it, it is a last-step effort when the problem is overwhelming to the people in it. These issues have a lot of compounding variables that make simple solutions difficult and require a lot of work, effort, and nuance.
On another note - would love to talk to you about recent interview we had for Behavioral Grooves with University of Chicago professor Jens Ludwig about his new book - Unforgiving Places which explores gun violence and brings in a behavioral science perspective.
Another point that finally just clicked for me. Since we have a lot of DSA aligned council members, they are going to be opposed anything that looks like involuntary confinement. So as much as we might think, "oh, let's figure out how to do civil commitment for people hurting themselves (And others ) with their drug addiction." Somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of our city council will be diametrically opposed to that. This all hurts my brain a little bit. Not to mention my heart.
This was an unusual situation because this big time capitalist, the owner of the property, who is getting lots of attention, ( which he loves) as he is is being managed, AKA used, in part by the DSA, ( and some members on OUR own City Council, the ruin a city types) made ALL of what happened this week possible.
My suggestion is for those that live near there, property owners and renters, business owners and operators of the orgs nearby, that they pull together a class action lawsuit against this guy, with some BIG #s, IF he OR any others were to try this stunt again.
The City may have had their hands temporarily tied in addressing this drug camp quickly, but others can band together, IF this were to happen again. In the meantime, encampments, really trap houses/ drug camps should not be allowed to develop, so we appreciate the Frey Admin's leadership and approach on this.
Relieved to see that both the County and the State are now providing services to patrol in that area, AND, yes, like the author mentioned, we are likely to be on the short list now with Memphis. As a Democrat...all that is happening is a bad look for our City AND the party.
Our local elections are on 11/4, ( with early voting to begin on Friday) so we can change this, substantially, for the better. We have this opportunity, presented to us right now.
To help set some context…from 2 years ago about another encampment.
About MUID
Nearly 30 years ago, the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID) group was formed by Executive Directors of American Indian organizations in Minneapolis to support each other in their work providing services to the American Indian Community.
November 1, 2023
To Whom It May Concern,
We are writing to demand that the Nenookaasi encampment located at 23rd St and 13th Ave in Minneapolis is closed immediately. The recent death of a baby and the overdose death at the encampment is just the most recent of many reasons we cannot wait until December 6th to act. Not only are crimes being committed regularly, but they are also being hidden from the police with threats of, and physical acts of violence, to those who would normally report. Neighbors have witnessed women and girls being dragged into cars in the middle of the night, open drug use throughout the day, open sex acts, and more.
Over the last several weeks and months, leaders from MUID organizations have reported many of these crimes and concerns to city and county officials, which has not resulted in any improvement while the situation continues to deteriorate and become more and more of a threat. This is unacceptable.
We understand that there may be misinformation about the position of MUID on this encampment. An interested community member has presented the Nenookaasi Homeless Response Action Plan to the MUID Opioid/Unsheltered Committee for consideration. However, we must clarify that this does not represent MUID.
In the long run, we understand that this encampment is part of a larger more complex housing issue that requires a collaboration of multiple jurisdictions and community partners to best serve our relatives, and MUID is willing to be part of this process. However, due to the immediate and growing public health and safety crisis this situation poses, we demand that the Nenookaasi encampment is closed immediately.
We request acknowledgement of receipt of this letter and an expedited response by Friday, November 3rd. Please direct your response to Ryan Salmon, Interim Chair of MUID.
I have a lot of thoughts. The first one has to do with the ideas coming from Chavez, Chaudhry Etc. One piece of which is "deployment of violence interrupters" . Do they really think this is like a partial solution?
Thank you for this. Well said. I recently lived in Los Angeles where we passed a sales tax measure in 2016 at the city and county levels to be directed towards reducing homelessness. After two years of no news on progress, the city and county started putting temporary tiny homes in publicly-owned parking lots, which don't have adequate utilities for that density of housing; showers, toilets, generators, security, etc., needed to be brought in and maintained at a pretty high cost. I'd caution against a bandaid approach, if possible. It's frustrating for the community, and if this approach was presented in the proposition, I'm pretty sure it would not have passed.
It's also a little demoralizing to see that homelessness is profiled in the mayor's race. I think the candidates should be very clear about what power and influence one person/one office has for this issue, because it cannot be addressed solely by ideas or platitudes. I'm glad Jacob Frey has enlisted the help of other agencies to pitch in, it's very promising.
As a fellow blogger, I have struggled to find a way to write about the extremes of homeless drug addiction. One side views them as criminals, while the other sees them as victims, leaving solutions seemingly lost in the debate. This post is the most thoughtful thing I have read on the topic. Thanks, Terry!
Thank you for this. Excellent assessment, not shying away from the facts and key issues involved. Also a related issue: how to address long-derelict properties such as some on East Lake Street, including Hamoudi Sabri's own dilapidated ruin at 2716 E. Lake Street where he "hosted" the encampment. Laughable that the Star Tribune uses terms such as "prolific developer" and "prominent" to describe him, when his encampment wars with the city seem to be his most noteworthy quality. Residents are exhausted from the political theater. Rebuilding community life, supporting small businesses in the corridor, and being able to go about daily life and enjoy one's own neighborhood regardless of where we live in the city really do matter.
There are examples to follow, at least consider, and are happening now.
https://apnews.com/article/california-gavin-newsom-homeless-sweeps-funding-bdaf5719847e11daf8cca06c62737994
Then...
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-10-10/california-gov-gavin-newsom-signs-bill-expanding-conservatorship-law
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-california-law-aims-to-force-people-with-mental-illness-or-addiction-to-get-help
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/31/1164281917/when-homelessness-and-mental-illness-overlap-is-compulsory-treatment-compassiona
Excerpt.. "Now, state lawmakers in Sacramento, backed by mayors, have introduced new laws and bills that would help bring more people into treatment, even if it's against their will. Last year, legislators approved a new system of CARE Courts, where judges issue treatment plans. That program begins on a pilot basis this fall in eight counties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco counties, with the rest of the state expected to join next year."
Excellent piece about Redondo Beach CA, below.
https://www.aol.com/news/redondo-beach-brought-homeless-numbers-100054453.html
I don’t fully understand the homeless problem. It’s complex. But at the same time, it seems clear that drugs are at the core of the violence. We need to offer housing and treatment, and if refused, we need to mandate treatment. Take away the customers, and the gang problem gets tamped down too.
Terry - thank you for the wonderful overview of this. While mandating treatment is hard and I would typically try to avoid it, it is a last-step effort when the problem is overwhelming to the people in it. These issues have a lot of compounding variables that make simple solutions difficult and require a lot of work, effort, and nuance.
On another note - would love to talk to you about recent interview we had for Behavioral Grooves with University of Chicago professor Jens Ludwig about his new book - Unforgiving Places which explores gun violence and brings in a behavioral science perspective.
Thank you, let's set up a time! Sounds like an interesting conversation.
Well written and thought out
Another point that finally just clicked for me. Since we have a lot of DSA aligned council members, they are going to be opposed anything that looks like involuntary confinement. So as much as we might think, "oh, let's figure out how to do civil commitment for people hurting themselves (And others ) with their drug addiction." Somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of our city council will be diametrically opposed to that. This all hurts my brain a little bit. Not to mention my heart.
This was an unusual situation because this big time capitalist, the owner of the property, who is getting lots of attention, ( which he loves) as he is is being managed, AKA used, in part by the DSA, ( and some members on OUR own City Council, the ruin a city types) made ALL of what happened this week possible.
My suggestion is for those that live near there, property owners and renters, business owners and operators of the orgs nearby, that they pull together a class action lawsuit against this guy, with some BIG #s, IF he OR any others were to try this stunt again.
The City may have had their hands temporarily tied in addressing this drug camp quickly, but others can band together, IF this were to happen again. In the meantime, encampments, really trap houses/ drug camps should not be allowed to develop, so we appreciate the Frey Admin's leadership and approach on this.
Relieved to see that both the County and the State are now providing services to patrol in that area, AND, yes, like the author mentioned, we are likely to be on the short list now with Memphis. As a Democrat...all that is happening is a bad look for our City AND the party.
Our local elections are on 11/4, ( with early voting to begin on Friday) so we can change this, substantially, for the better. We have this opportunity, presented to us right now.
To help set some context…from 2 years ago about another encampment.
About MUID
Nearly 30 years ago, the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID) group was formed by Executive Directors of American Indian organizations in Minneapolis to support each other in their work providing services to the American Indian Community.
November 1, 2023
To Whom It May Concern,
We are writing to demand that the Nenookaasi encampment located at 23rd St and 13th Ave in Minneapolis is closed immediately. The recent death of a baby and the overdose death at the encampment is just the most recent of many reasons we cannot wait until December 6th to act. Not only are crimes being committed regularly, but they are also being hidden from the police with threats of, and physical acts of violence, to those who would normally report. Neighbors have witnessed women and girls being dragged into cars in the middle of the night, open drug use throughout the day, open sex acts, and more.
Over the last several weeks and months, leaders from MUID organizations have reported many of these crimes and concerns to city and county officials, which has not resulted in any improvement while the situation continues to deteriorate and become more and more of a threat. This is unacceptable.
We understand that there may be misinformation about the position of MUID on this encampment. An interested community member has presented the Nenookaasi Homeless Response Action Plan to the MUID Opioid/Unsheltered Committee for consideration. However, we must clarify that this does not represent MUID.
In the long run, we understand that this encampment is part of a larger more complex housing issue that requires a collaboration of multiple jurisdictions and community partners to best serve our relatives, and MUID is willing to be part of this process. However, due to the immediate and growing public health and safety crisis this situation poses, we demand that the Nenookaasi encampment is closed immediately.
We request acknowledgement of receipt of this letter and an expedited response by Friday, November 3rd. Please direct your response to Ryan Salmon, Interim Chair of MUID.
Ryan Salmon
White Earth Band of Ojibwe
Interim Chair of MUID Ryan.Salmon@Whiteearth-NSN.gov
Supported by the FULL MUID MEMBERSHIP
MUID promotes the well-being, growth and mutual interests of metropolitan American Indian organizations.
Sent from AOL on Android
I have a lot of thoughts. The first one has to do with the ideas coming from Chavez, Chaudhry Etc. One piece of which is "deployment of violence interrupters" . Do they really think this is like a partial solution?
Thank you for this. Well said. I recently lived in Los Angeles where we passed a sales tax measure in 2016 at the city and county levels to be directed towards reducing homelessness. After two years of no news on progress, the city and county started putting temporary tiny homes in publicly-owned parking lots, which don't have adequate utilities for that density of housing; showers, toilets, generators, security, etc., needed to be brought in and maintained at a pretty high cost. I'd caution against a bandaid approach, if possible. It's frustrating for the community, and if this approach was presented in the proposition, I'm pretty sure it would not have passed.
It's also a little demoralizing to see that homelessness is profiled in the mayor's race. I think the candidates should be very clear about what power and influence one person/one office has for this issue, because it cannot be addressed solely by ideas or platitudes. I'm glad Jacob Frey has enlisted the help of other agencies to pitch in, it's very promising.