The section about the community violence interrupters reminded me of this article I read in the Free Press a couple days ago, on what has actually worked to reduce homicides in Baltimore. Tl:dr: the author argues that it's a combination of these kinds of outreach programs combined with a tough-on-crime prosecutor who ensures that those committing violent crimes are adequately charged and removed from the streets: https://www.thefp.com/p/baltimore-crime-rate-drop
Since the founding of our nation, the governmental bodies that have been created have (one way or another) been practicing social engineering. Millions of people from all walks of life have had to deal with parts of or all of the list above. Families and churches and other community groups used to help people with getting through these situations. But more often (especially in the past 4 to 5 decades) government has been doing more. Sometimes it is warranted (policing, environmental protection, regulation of certain industries, etc). But often it was more effective when these non government actors were the ones helping people out.
And let’s face it: some people do not want to be helped.
Churches and many other non-governmental actors have lost their moral authority. Politics has become people's religious affiliation. NGOs have learned they can influence local political races through organizing. That translates into votes for candidates and, downstream, dollars for social programs. Often, whether these programs actually work is irrelevant.
I grew up in a town in central Illinois reminiscent of Pleasantville. There were 80k people. In the 16 years I was there, I recall one homicide, and it was a big, big deal. Carjacking? What's that?
Yes, Minneapolis is bigger, having 5x the population, but the math makes for a useful comparison. We in Minneapolis have grown numb to the crime and violence to the point where people seem thrilled that only 64 people were murdered in a year instead of 102.
I don't have solid evidence to explain away the difference. Was it policing? I don't think so. Policing is absolutely necessary, but I don't really remember much interaction with police growing up, even from afar.
Growing up, parents and community seemed to play a much bigger role than here. We were instilled with a set of beliefs by our parents. If we got out of line, and our parents weren't there to correct, teachers and other parents were quick to step in. It takes a village, as they say. My parents always took the side of teachers and other parents when it came to discipline. Always.
We need good policing. But at best, police are a band-aid for societal problems. What we really need, imo, is better parenting and a better societal support structure for those parents.
I’ve questioned the need of an OCS from the beginning. I believe we voted this down on Q2, but the mayor created the office anyway. I’m not alone thinking Barnette’s main role was flak catcher. Promote Amanda Harrington and shut it down. Do we still have a head of emergency? I know a former head who’s also a former CM is no longer in the job, but I can’t remember if there was a replacement , or that whole title just evaporated.
Another chapter of the Mpls political soap opera. I've often wondered exactly what it takes for someone to loose a govenment job...both state and local. Finally, there is an example. Faced with threat of termination for deleting a phone contact, and telling someone he was under investigation.... Chief O'hara resigned. Frey says his conduct is a loss of trust and the police chief broke that trust, which cannot be tolerated. Appears only police are held to very high professional and personal standards that are strictly enforced. I think O'Hara did a credible job in what can be described as hostile working conditions. It may have been time for him to leave, but I have very mixed feelings about the way this was handled.
Terry, you are correct about the need to analyze the effectiveness of council driven initiatives on the subject of public safety, including how it is measured. I suspect placing the blame on police is a convenient way for the anti-police advocates to avoid dealing with this question. After all, if it's someone else's fault, then there is no need to look at one's own's actions. Perhaps the council should be put in charge of finding a new police chief that receives their support...right after they agree on the criteria and measures of success of this role.
At the recent Ward 11 meeting, CM Whiting indicated there was a 3-day retreat scheduled for council members, under the guidance of what he felt is a strong faciitator. Not feeling up to placing bets on the success of this effort, but it is better for my blood pressure to hope that some progress could be made.
The section about the community violence interrupters reminded me of this article I read in the Free Press a couple days ago, on what has actually worked to reduce homicides in Baltimore. Tl:dr: the author argues that it's a combination of these kinds of outreach programs combined with a tough-on-crime prosecutor who ensures that those committing violent crimes are adequately charged and removed from the streets: https://www.thefp.com/p/baltimore-crime-rate-drop
“Poverty and Economic Inequality
Social Environment and Peer Influence
Family Dysfunction and Childhood Trauma
Substance Abuse
Lack of Education and Employment”
Since the founding of our nation, the governmental bodies that have been created have (one way or another) been practicing social engineering. Millions of people from all walks of life have had to deal with parts of or all of the list above. Families and churches and other community groups used to help people with getting through these situations. But more often (especially in the past 4 to 5 decades) government has been doing more. Sometimes it is warranted (policing, environmental protection, regulation of certain industries, etc). But often it was more effective when these non government actors were the ones helping people out.
And let’s face it: some people do not want to be helped.
Churches and many other non-governmental actors have lost their moral authority. Politics has become people's religious affiliation. NGOs have learned they can influence local political races through organizing. That translates into votes for candidates and, downstream, dollars for social programs. Often, whether these programs actually work is irrelevant.
I grew up in a town in central Illinois reminiscent of Pleasantville. There were 80k people. In the 16 years I was there, I recall one homicide, and it was a big, big deal. Carjacking? What's that?
Yes, Minneapolis is bigger, having 5x the population, but the math makes for a useful comparison. We in Minneapolis have grown numb to the crime and violence to the point where people seem thrilled that only 64 people were murdered in a year instead of 102.
I don't have solid evidence to explain away the difference. Was it policing? I don't think so. Policing is absolutely necessary, but I don't really remember much interaction with police growing up, even from afar.
Growing up, parents and community seemed to play a much bigger role than here. We were instilled with a set of beliefs by our parents. If we got out of line, and our parents weren't there to correct, teachers and other parents were quick to step in. It takes a village, as they say. My parents always took the side of teachers and other parents when it came to discipline. Always.
We need good policing. But at best, police are a band-aid for societal problems. What we really need, imo, is better parenting and a better societal support structure for those parents.
I’ve questioned the need of an OCS from the beginning. I believe we voted this down on Q2, but the mayor created the office anyway. I’m not alone thinking Barnette’s main role was flak catcher. Promote Amanda Harrington and shut it down. Do we still have a head of emergency? I know a former head who’s also a former CM is no longer in the job, but I can’t remember if there was a replacement , or that whole title just evaporated.
Another chapter of the Mpls political soap opera. I've often wondered exactly what it takes for someone to loose a govenment job...both state and local. Finally, there is an example. Faced with threat of termination for deleting a phone contact, and telling someone he was under investigation.... Chief O'hara resigned. Frey says his conduct is a loss of trust and the police chief broke that trust, which cannot be tolerated. Appears only police are held to very high professional and personal standards that are strictly enforced. I think O'Hara did a credible job in what can be described as hostile working conditions. It may have been time for him to leave, but I have very mixed feelings about the way this was handled.
Terry, you are correct about the need to analyze the effectiveness of council driven initiatives on the subject of public safety, including how it is measured. I suspect placing the blame on police is a convenient way for the anti-police advocates to avoid dealing with this question. After all, if it's someone else's fault, then there is no need to look at one's own's actions. Perhaps the council should be put in charge of finding a new police chief that receives their support...right after they agree on the criteria and measures of success of this role.
At the recent Ward 11 meeting, CM Whiting indicated there was a 3-day retreat scheduled for council members, under the guidance of what he felt is a strong faciitator. Not feeling up to placing bets on the success of this effort, but it is better for my blood pressure to hope that some progress could be made.