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June 2-PAC: The Aurora Center

Posted on June 25, 2017 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM by Chair, Larry Ranallo.  19 people attended.

SPEAKER: Leading off a series of reports on support services available in Minneapolis to  victims of assault, Bronte Stewart-New, Legal Advocacy Coordinator described the menu of services available  from  the Aurora Center, University of Minnesota.

The Aurora Center  currently has 67 full time staff.  Many volunteer first and then are offered jobs at  the center.  Ms Stewart-New volunteered 4 years and was hired early in 2017.

The first step toward reducing the incidence of inappropriate sexual events on campus is to define terms.  The U of MN  distinguishes harassment, assault, relationship violence, harm, stalking, and consent.

Harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances that are presented as a condition of employment or academic advancement, or which have the effect of interfering with an individual’s performance,  or which create a hostile or offensive environment in any University event.

Sexual assault is actual, attempted or threatened sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent.  This includes but is not limited to intercourse. Rape is sexual intercourse without  freely given consent.

Relationship violence is causing physical harm, or threats of physical harm that rise in a personal, intimate relationship.

Harm means engaging in conduct that endangers OR threatens to endanger the physical and/or mental health, safety or welfare of another person and includes (but is not limited to) threatening, stalking, harassing, intimidating, or assaulting.

Stalking is behavior directed at a specific person that is unwanted and which would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.  At the U of MN, the focus is on the impact on the targeted person, not  the intent of the doer.

Per U of MN official policy, consent is informed, freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to engage in sexual activity, expressed in clear and unambiguous words or actions.

Prevalence of  assault reported by U of MN enrolled students, not limited to assault while enrolled: in 2015 the Center conducted a Health and Safety self-reporting survey.  34% of students contacted responded to the survey.  [EQ: Because 34% responded, the percents should NOT be taken as representing the whole student body. I think it’s safe to assume that many of the students reporting are impacted in some personal way, but others might be responding only because they were asked to do so.  That is a guess on my part and Bronte did not suggest it.)

1)  24% reported being sexually assaulted.  The breakdown was 11% of all males and 32 % of all females
2) 19% reported domestic violence.  The breakdown was 12% of all males and 23% of all females.

3) Student perpetrators were 11% (again, this is self-reporting)

When the survey limited to reports of assault during enrollment, the picture changes slightly:

1) 6% of males reported post enrollment assault
2) 23% of females reported assault since enrollment
3) 34% of GLBT or gender-non-conforming students reported assault since enrollment.
These reports parallel similar reports from other  universities in percentage of reported assault.  In every category, the numbers were higher for students of color than for others.

Additionally, the number of disabled students reporting assault were almost twice the number of students who do not consider themselves disabled, 21% v. 11%

Finally, when the report is sorted by race/ethnicity, another picture emerges, as 7% of reporters were Asian, 11.1% were Pacific Islander, 11.5% were black or African American, 12.8% white, 14.9% Hispanic, but 21.7% were Native American or Alaska Native.

Once a person decides to seek help, Aurora provides immediate and long term assistance on many levels.  There is a 24/7/365 help line staffed by volunteers with staff backup.  Aurora provides crisis counseling, support groups, and a substantial menu of advocacy services, not limited to dealing with academic impact, helping with housing, assisting with medical care, supporting a victim during police interviews, and helping with legal matters like obtaining restraining orders and other legal affairs.

Advocacy is the broadest service.  Advocacy begins with immediate emotional support to sexual assault victims, which is continued as long as necessary.  An advocate’s goals are to help the client avoid re-victimization (insuring fair treatment), to coordinate local  campus and community resources and programs.  The Aurora program is completely free to the client and completely confidential.  Advocates do not make decisions for a client, but carefully lay out options so the client is able to mindfully make his or her own fully informed decisions.

People affiliated with the University have  two first level options, but services may flow from one to the other.

First: Seek Support, don’t report.  Support is available through the Aurora Center (612.626.9111), through Boynton Mental Health Services (which also has a 24-hour crisis line at 612.301.4673) or from student Counseling Services.

Second: Report.  The Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action office is the strongest place to find help for violation of Title IX clauses,  Another place is to get help from the police (Emergency is a 911 call and non-emergency is 612.624.COPS 624.2677)

STATE OF THE PRECINCT:

Sgt. Beth Mota gave the State of the Precinct update.  The open house was well attended.  They served some 600 hot dogs and burgers so that’s the minimum attendance.   The bike give away got a lot of attention this year.  The sky was threatening all day, but right in time for the open house, the clouds parted and the sun was shining.  We’ll take that for an omen.

Sgt. Mota presented the 2nd Precinct Chaplain, Pastor Brett Miller,  and his congregation at Southeast Christian, a special Thank-You for their extra help to the Precinct during the University annual Spring Jam.

Looking at crime in the Second Precinct:  a disagreement between two roommates ended with one shooting the other.   Burglaries are a constant, but especially persistent in NE and close to the U campus, because a lot of people still are not locking their doors or windows, and  are leaving valuables in their cars in clear view.   Robberies had been down until 3 or 4 juvenile males and 1 juvenile female decided to try it using a baseball bat as a weapon.  Prompt reporting and good descriptions led  two of the youth being apprehended. This incident happened on the border between SE Como and Marcy-Holmes (MPD case report is 17-216009)

COURTWATCH UPDATES: Sarah Becker and Deb Russell reporting :
Kristopher Canty had a 6/8 hearing and was released for inpatient treatment; Jason Enrivo has 2 bench warrants issued in June; Kevin Foster was convicted on 6/5 after being found competent; Johnny Hall has a bench warrant issued 2/10  Steven Haney had a 6/ 12 hearing ; Daniel Heacock was found incompetent on 5/9 and is at liberty, pending 11-7 hearing ; Paula Heille has a bench warrant issued 5/10; Mahad Ismail has a pretrial on 7/19;  (3rd Pct); Jarid Jovanovich has a pretrial set for 6/20, remains in custody, and is looking at a lengthy prison time; .Kenneth Nelson has a hearing on 7/17 in Edina and 8/28 in Minneapolis (jury trial scheduled in August; Sharkina Nickens remains in custody and had a 6/19 first appearance in court; Dae Nisell has been found competent but  may be sentenced to time served; Ryan Pilarski had a 6/13 hearing; Joshua Poplawski was in custody but is out now (6/15 he was found competent for trial  on the 5th degree drug possession charge); Ashley Sage had a 6/14 hearing, but seems to be coming around with stricter supervision;  Michael Zaccardi continued to 7/21

no updates: Cody Corbin, Curtis Laroque , Albert Moen, Robert Schroeder

Taken off the list: Jarid Jovanovich, Jason Tucker.

 

REPORTS: Treasurer’s report, April minutes were approved.

NO OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS:  This was Deb Russell’s last official meeting with the Second Precinct PAC.  In July, our new rep in the County Attorney’s office will be Judi Cole.  Judi urged folks  organizing a NNO event contact the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for a drop in by an attorney.  In 2016 230 members of the Office visited over 200 block parties and gatherings.  You can request a visit at http://www.hennepinattorney.org/prevention/community-partnerships/national-night-out   or just go to hennepinattorney.org and enter national night out in the SEARCH.

Meeting was adjourned 7:20

Reminder:  You can find notes and announcement from previous 2-PAC meetings on our homepage:   https://courtwatch2pac.com/

 

We always need ideas for 2017 programs; what city policing, livability and related services are you curious about?

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June 2-PAC: Support services for assault victims

Posted on May 26, 2017 | Leave a comment
Join us on June 12 at 6PM  for the June MPD Second Precinct  PAC meeting.  We meet in the Monroe Village Apartments Community Room, 1900 Central Avenue NE.  2-Pac is free.  It’s a place where you can  report your safety concerns and learn about services available for you.  Our speaker this month is Bronte Stewart-New from the Aurora Center, U of MN.

Several years ago, 2PAC’s monthly State of the Precinct report showed a slight but persistent  rise from month to month in assaults, especially sexual assaults.  2-PAC attenders asked what was going on there?  Was this just in our area or was it all across the precinct or was it city-wide?

While no one could pinpoint a cause but many were wondering if this was actually a rise in reporting of events.  Women were finally starting to report this crime.  Officers wondered if it could have a lot to do with the truth that women are now offered support instead of blame and guilt.

The Inspector mentioned a support service for University of Minnesota and Augsburg students called the Aurora Center and commented we’d probably been reading about it since it’s an Eastside center. True: most U of MN students live in SE and near NE so in that sense it is “their” center.

This topic and the network of allied organizations have been something that needs better public understanding.  Aurora is unique in many ways because it is so clearly focused, but there are other services and official back ups in Minneapolis that, all together, offer strong support for victims.  Over the next several months, 2-PAC will be bringing in speakers to explain how these services offer support and reassurance  and how they work together.

Aurora was formed in 1986 in response to an alleged rape of a young woman by 3 U of MN basketball players.  U of MN President Keller called a group together to root out the culture that enabled  the assault.  This was the start of Aurora.  Other campuses have formed similar services; the movement received real impetus when in 2011 the US Dept of Education sent a letter to colleges and universities across the country, pointing out that permissive campus  culture was a violation of equal opportunity under Title IX.  By then, Aurora’s experience made it the national model for advocacy and culture change.

The Aurora Center’s Mission Statement is, “To serve all victims/survivors/concerned people of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking at the University of Minnesota and Augsburg College.”  You can read the full mission statement and much more  on their home page:  http://aurora.umn.edu

Aurora has expanded its original focus to identifying and changing most of the “isms” including racism, ageism, religious oppression and discrimination against people with disabilities — a heavy load.  Our speaker, Bronte Stewart-New, will share their goals, their focus and the means of achieving those goals at the June meeting of 2-PAC.

There’s a good article for background in the Minnpost story, .minnpost.com/mental-health-addiction/2017/01/30-years-aurora-center-still-supporting-u-m-sexual-violence-survivor

We hope to see you on June 12

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No 2-PAC on May 8, but come to the Open House on May 15

Posted on May 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

May 15 is Open House at the Precinct.  4:00Pm to 7:00pm, free food and beverages.

Meet and greet officers from the K-9 unit, Mounted Patrol, the Bomb Unit (real robots),  SWAT,  Animal Care and Control, the Police Explorer Troop and more units.

6 kids bikes will be given away in a drawing, so show up to put your name in the bowl!

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2-PAC April meeting report

Posted on April 25, 2017 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order at 6:10PM by Larry Ranallo; 22 attenders

Our speaker from Minneapolis Animal Care and Control was Officer Anthony Schendel.  First the numbers:  Minneapolis Animal Care and Control is the most requested service in the city.  Many of the calls are for advice about how to handle a situation.  Wildlife, for example:  if an animal is healthy, AC&C doesn’t handle it.  All the department can do about squirrels in the attic is suggest you call a reliable animal removal service.  But it’s a very different matter  if a squirrel (or feral cat or a house pet)  gets injured and needs help.  This kind of call gets a quick response by trained staff who will either remove the animal to a rehabilitation facility, or will initiate compassionate euthanasia.  If there is no AC&C vet on duty, the AC&C have contracts with off-site vets for euthanasia.  Contrary to urban lore, they use the same quick acting injection your pet would get at a private veterinary.  The driving idea for injured animal response is compassion, whatever direction that points to.

When stray pets are picked up by AC&C, they are held for 7 days.  The first step is to post the animal’s picture to this location on their website:   http://www.minneapolismn.gov/animals/lost/index.htm  This database is  updated every 15 minutes, so if you’re looking for your pet, look back regularly.   If you spot your pet, the office is open  to the public M-F from 1-6PM, Saturday 11:30 to 3:30, and closed on Sunday.  (phone 612-673-MACC (6222) FFI)

The department has several strategies for rehoming animals that are not claimed by their people.  A few animals can be adopted directly from AC&C but many of the animals brought in need socializing, some need training, or have medical problems that will take time to heal or resolve.  The AC&C relies on their partner rescue organizations to meet these needs in their foster care programs.  This does include injured animals who are taken to a foster owner while they mend and then  found a home through the rescue group. An astonishing 91% percent of the animals picked up by AC&C make it out the door either by being reunited with their home people or by finding a new home through a rescue organization.

A big addition to the staff is that AC&C now has 3 vets on staff, which is a big step forward in taking good care of animals.  The vets can now do minor surgical repair, spay, and neuter on site.  Behavior evaluations are done by trained specialists.

AC&C provides important  social support  programs that have a very positive effect on human residents of Minneapolis.   Social services programs are in operation 24/7 though they are somewhat restricted between 10:30 PM and 7 AM because of low staffing during those hours.
.
1) “Domestic Violence Initiative”  It is sadly true that  people in an abusive relationship may  remain out of fear for their pets’ welfare.   If a person is working with  a social worker or  can provide a MPD Case number, the AC&C will pick up the animal and keep it at no charge  for a 5 to 7 day safe hold.   While the AC&C can’t permit animals to leave without a valid license and current vaccinations (which must be paid for before release), boarding  and wellness check won’t run up fees for pets in this program.

2) There are other circumstances in which, at the request of several city agencies, AC&C will board an animal for 7-10 days for an owner who can’t currently provide for them.  Costs of these programs to the owner will vary, and will always include the licensing fee and inoculations, as needed.

3) Any animal that is licensed but found on the street gets one free ride home. Tags are helpful but AC&C can do it with chip information as long as that’s current.   If the animal is picked up a second time, the owner will receive a citation for permitting her animal to run loose.  If the animal is impounded, there will be at least an impound and kenneling charge, starting at $70-100.

4) Animal abuse cases from negligence, from hoarding and  from outright felony abuse are all channeled through AC&C.  There is one Sgt. who specializes in felony abuse.  Clearly, officers often go into a situation not knowing what they’re going to find.  If a reported neglect is due to an owner’s decline, other needed social services are called in.  This may be started with a 311 call by a friend or neighbor for a “welfare check” of the human, but it may also be started by a neglect or abuse report to AC&C.    Recent notable felony abuse cases involved 66 dogs seized in one case and over 40 cats in another case.   In cases of overcrowding, the Animal Humane Society will help out.

In the normal run of things, AC&C has 3 or 4 special transport vehicles on the street each day.   They may be called in for any of the above situations.

Questions:  Aggressive dogs loose:  That is a 911 call because they can get there the fastest, but AC&C gets reports from both 311 and 911.

Rabies:  what does a rabid animal look like or act like:  The first signal is when a nocturnal animal appears during the day.  (Exception: some urban raccoons are so used to people and have been fed by enough people they may show up to ask for a hand out.)  Distemper  makes an animal sluggish, slow.

City rules for animals at home:  up to 3 dogs and cats are legal in a home, but after that you must take out a kennel license.  This does not include puppies or kittens under 4 months. Chickens must always have a permit and roosters must have a special permit.  A fowl permit can list chickens,  pigeons, turkeys, ducks, quail.  Minneapolis residents must also have a permit for large reptiles and amphibians.  Check the website:  http://minneapolismn.gov/animals/licenses/animal-permits

AC&C has a Volunteer Coordinator, and volunteers are very much needed. AC&C does not have the staff to give cats playtime or dogs a good daily walk or run while they are being held.  Volunteers can also help with facilities services, doing laundry, and other services for animals in the facility during their holding period.

STATE OF THE PRECINCT: Inspector Todd Loining offered  a detailed report, here highlighted: Overall violent crimes Year To Date are down 9.09%, leading the city.  Robberies are down 52.17% (22 YTD in 2017 v. 46 in 2016).  Sexual assaults, however are up 111.11% YTD which is 19 in 2017 v 9 in 2016 (NB: three of the 19 actually happened in 2016).  Aggravated assaults are up YTD 21.88%, and burglary rose by 2.59% this year.

The Second Precinct Community Response Team (CRT) served 69 search warrants including 19 as a result of community requests.  14 guns were recovered and $59,292 of drug money seized.  One call resulted in the discovery of 170g of meth, $2200 cash and counterfeit currency along with paper and items need to produce more counterfeit.  A search warrant at the subject’s residence revealed another $16,000 in counterfeit money.  Several days later the CRT was called to an accident scene where mj and mj candy were recovered from the “striking vehicle.”  A search warrant at the subject’s residence led to 1425g mj, 1204g  mj candy, 130 Xanax, 100 units of LSD, $15700 US currency.

Property Crime Investigation have 95 new cases assigned, 81 cases closed with charges.  The “95” are the ones that have some bit of evidence to follow.

Street racing in the Second Precinct has surged, especially along Spring Street between Hoover and Industrial.  The Second Precinct has responded by working with businesses, installing concrete barriers in cooperation with City Streets, installing a portable SIC camera and assigning officers to be at the site especially between 11pm and 4am (apparently those are prime racing hours).
The 2017 Summer Crime Strategy is now a document.  Contact me offlist if you want an electronic copy.

COURTWATCH, Sarah Becker and Deb Russell reporting:

Kristopher Canty case closed with conviction; Cody Corbin in custody, jury trial must happen before probation violation trial; Jason Enrico 2 hearings on 4/20; Johnny Hall, 2 bench warrants on 2/10 and 2/13 for probation violation; Steven Haney first court appearance 4/24 for two 1st degree drugs sale; Mahad Ismail bench warrant on 3/30 for failure to appear; Jarid Jovanovich in custody, with pretial on 4/10; Curtis Laroque was a passenger in a stolen car but no new charges; Kenneth Nelson was given a conditional release for assessment before 4/20 hearing;  Sharkina Nickens is in custody (after being sentenced on one complaint she picked up another complaint); Ryan Pilarski has a probation violation hearing on 4/13; Ashley Sage  was found to be taking drugs while she was still in treatment; Michael Zaccardi had a 4/10 hearing for theft and trespassing and a 4/13 arraignment for tampering with vehicles.

No updates: Kevin Foster;  Daniel Heacock; Paula Heille;  Albert Moen, Dae Nisell; Robert Schroeder.

Candidate for removal: Jason Tucker has successfully completed probation.

NEW BUSINESS: Announcement: May 15 is Open House at the Precinct.  4:00Pm to 7:00pm, free food and beverages, and you can meet officers from the K-9 unit, Mounted Patrol, the Bomb Unit (real robots),  SWAT,  Animal Care and Control and more.

Meeting adjourned 7:35pm

June 12:  The City of Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota offer support and other services to victims of assault.  Find out how these services are prepared to help people when they are the most vulnerable.

Remember you can find reports from previous PAC meetings at our home page  https://courtwatch2pac.com/

Emilie Quast, board member

MPD Second Precinct PAC

e-quas@tc.umn.edu

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April 2-PAC: Dogs, cats, and people, too

Posted on April 6, 2017 | Leave a comment

(maybe something about squirrels and turkeys also)

What do you think of when you hear “Dog Pound”?  Pretty sad story, right?

Consider “animal rescue”,  “rehoming”, “fostering”,  “help with domestic violence”?  Those are just some of the services the Minneapolis Animal Care and Control offer the residents of Minneapolis.  Officer John Kilner will be talking to us about these and other services AC&C provides to Minneapolis.

Join us for the April MPD 2-PAC.  We’ll meet at Monroe Village Apartments community room, call to order shortly after 6PM.  The address is 1900 Central Ave NE, across from the  Second Precinct.

Bring your questions about animal control in your neighborhood, but also be prepared to hear about the caring, compassionate services this unit provides for people and animals in the city, in good times and when families face crisis.

Following Officer Kilner’s chat, we’ll get a report on the State of the Precinct:  crime rates and trends.

Courtwatch reports from our Hennepin County and City attorneys follow.

EVENT ALERT:  May  15  (4:00 to 7:00PM)  is Open House at the Precinct.  Some of the units coming are K-9s and their people, 6 free kid’s bikes, the Mounted Patrol, Emergency Communications Center, SWAT team and their awesome gear, grilled burgers and hot dogs, honey cakes, and a lot more.  Popcorn, too from P&P!  If it rains, they’ve got awnings

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March 2-PAC: Graffitiissues/Graffiti busting

Posted on March 23, 2017 | Leave a comment
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 by Chair, Larry Ranallo.  23 attenders.

Our speakers represented three perspectives on Graffiti: MPD, City Services, Neighborhood activism.

Sgt. Kara Parker from 5th Precinct Property Crimes Division opened by stating that when the MPD gets reports of damage (unauthorized paint) they first determine if the paint is actual “gang” signs or just tagging.  Most of the graffiti we see in our neighborhoods is not gang based.  Currently, most of the gang signs are in the 3rd precinct, and ID’d as  Hispanic American or Native American gang signs.  There is not much activity in Minneapolis by the coastal gangs we read about (Crips and Bloods), nor from groups like the KKK.    The shift is to social media, and the more the gangs use social media to communicate, the less  “gang” paint we’ll see on our walls and streets.  It’s important to let the city know  when any tags appear, though,  because they do want to keep track of what is being painted  and where it’s going up.   WHY ARE  GANG SIGNS DANGEROUS?: Gang signs mark territory; they are an open threat to anyone coming in who might appear to be from a different gang.

Understand that graffiti is communication, whether it’s a gang member marking the perimeter of that gang’s territory, or it’s a tagger saying “Look at me!”    One tagger’s story got City Pages coverage: http://www.citypages.com/news/sisyphus-brewings-sweet-mural-ruined-by-uninspired-vandal-7946882    “Konqr” has done some $100,000 worth of damage in Cincinnati, but in late 2016, he defaced a Minneapolis mural which cost $6000 (crowd sourced); cost of repair was $1500.  Konqr has tagged across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico; Kongr is currently thought to be  in Louisville.

What to look for: Taggers usually move in groups as small as 2 because it’s good to have someone  to help haul the gear and to watch for watchers.  As 2-PAC attenders have heard so often, if something doesn’t look right, take down a description, a location, and report it.  311 Online requests a photo if you can send one.  Add location, gender, clothes, shoes, race, height, build, anything you can note. A squad probably will not show up unless you can report that  the tagger is still painting.  All  reports, however, are entered in a database to track crime trends.

Sgt Parker brought along handouts of photos she’d harvested from the internet, showing gang tags and graffiti tags. She also brought a 6-page summary on types of graffiti: gang vs tagger, degree of sophistication, where and when to look for taggers, and how to protect your property.   [I can send you all of this by email if you contact me.  In the mean time, the following gives a few pointers, echoing Sgt. Parker’s hand out:  https://ink-and-paint.wonderhowto.com/how-to/identify-gang-graffiti-p1-0127625/  The biggest point is that “gang taggers” value speed and space over quality, while “social taggers” often work for  higher  quality.  All of them want attention.–EQ]

Our second speaker, Michelle Howard, is the Minneapolis Clean City Coordinator.

Murals are only legal when done with permission of the property owner.  These are registered with the city, and the design must meet a level of approval (no  obscenities or patented commercials logos).

When graffiti is reported, Solid Waste and Recycling crews are sent a work order to take photos of the graffiti.  Graffiti on a public right of way is removed by city crews.  The Traffic Dept replaces their signs when the front is no longer reflective but anyone may remove a tag from the back of a stop sign.  The City is not allowed to remove graffiti from Federal property nor from property owned by the railroads.

Graffiti on private property is handled differently:  owners are given seven days to remove reported graffiti;  if there are mitigating circumstances,  that time can be extended.  For example, some surfaces can’t be treated in cold or wet weather, other graffiti might be too large to handle  in a short time or may be out of reach for that owner.  The city does have a contractor who can remove most graffiti for a fee.  The Fire Stations have removal chemicals, and Sani-Master/Graffiti Solutions can sell their commercial chemicals.

Norma Pietz reported on the successful graffiti removal program that has been working for 10 years, organized by the Lyndale Neighborhood Assn.
Ten years ago the association got a small grant which got them started.  Ms Pietz conducts a normal job application-interview-hiring process, looking for two people who can work together and are interested in part time summer jobs.  Her hires are paid $10/hour and work 12-15 hours/week during the summer months.

Over the years they’ve settled on the following procedure:  Two people work together during the (cooler) morning and use a wagon to haul supplies.  Driving does not work.   They have a map of Lyndale so the workers can efficiently cover the whole area.   When they spot a tag, they first complete a form giving a complete description that meets the needs of the Clean City Dept if the city has to act on the complaint.  If the tag is on public property where they can take the tag off, the Lyndale Graffiti  Busters do that.  If it’s on private property, Ms. Pietz, first contacts the property owner for approval to remove graffiti.  If it can’t be removed and the owner gives approval to paint over, then they are asked to purchase the paint and the Graffiti Bsters will paint over (just the graffiti) for no charge.

At this point Michelle and Norma began sharing supplies details.  It’s true that the Fire Depts have removers, but those removers are oil based and leave a stain that is slow to disappear.  However,  Lyndale uses a chemical from Ace Hdwr called TSW (“This Stuff Works” ) that they strongly recommend.  It also turns out that the city has some paints for coverup (because some paint can NOT be removed) which Lyndale didn’t know about.

We all learned a lot.

State of the Precinct:  Lt. Mike Sanden once again came to report on the state of the precinct, but had to leave to start his shift.  He did remind us that the Second Precinct Annual Open House is Monday, May 15, from 4-7 PM in the parking lot at 1911 Central Ave NE.  There will be stations from many special forces, including the Bomb Unit, the dispatch Emergency Communications Center, K-9s, and more.  Grilled burgers and hotdogs with lots of sides, P&P Popcorn, and a drawing for 6 kids bikes.

COURTWATCH:  Deb  Russell from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office report:

Cody Corbin violated probation, hearing April 18; Jason Enrico is in custody in Dakota County b/c bench warrant issued in Feb. 16, he is charged with check forgery and 5th degree drug possession;  Kevin Foster has a hearing on April 4; Johnny Hall, bench warrant on Feb. 10, Daniel Heacock has a hearing on April4; Paula Heille, bench warrant issued on January 18; Mahad Ismail, pre-trial hearing on March 15; curtis Laroqueis on probation to 11/04/18 and a 2/24/17 charge was dismissed; Albert Moen, benchwarrant issued 1/09/17; Dae Nisell is not in custody and has 2 open cases re; violation of restraining orders and domestics; Ryan Pilarski, hearing on 3.30; Ashley Sage remains in treatment, and has a courtdate on March 15.

No updates: Kenneth Nelson had an omnibus hearing on 3/07 but the report had not been posted yet; Robert Schroeder; Jason Tucker remains in custodyr.

Dropped: Bryan Holmes has successfully finished probation on March 1. 2017.

Added to the list:
1) Sharkina Marie Nickens has 3 citations:  Felony Burglary and Felony theft for entering the apartments of a legally blind victim in SAE, stealing the person’s wallet and using their credit card.  She also has a charge of giving a police officer a false name, giving a second police officer the name of another person and failing to pay cab fare.
2) Steven Wayne Haney (lives in Marshall terrace) two charges of 1st degree drug sale and 1st degree possession of drugs, a warrant turned up meth and a “large” amount of U.S. currency.
3) Kristopher Canty: Domestic disorderly conduct, (History:  7 arrests in 3 years mostly domestic related, but also motor vehicle tampering)
4)  Michael Zaccardi returns to the list for a theft from the Quarry.  He was removed from our list in January of this year.

Adjourn.

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March 2-PAC: Graffiti, Tags, and Gang signs: Do you know the difference? Do you know how to take them off?

Posted on March 4, 2017 | Leave a comment
We have three speakers on March 13 who have the answers to those questions and any more questions you might want to ask.

Sgt. Kara Parker from 5th Pct. Property Crimes will be showing us what all that  spray paint  means.  Does that sign mean drug sales, or are gangs marking turf, or is it just a neighborhood dimwit with a can of spray paint and too much time on her hands?  How can we tell and whom do we ask?

No matter what the sign means, once it’s there, we want it off!  So does the city!  Michelle Howard will outline what the city can and can’t do to clean up the unwanted paint.

How do we make all that work?  Norma Pietz is coming to tell how the Lyndale Neighborhood organized a graffiti patrol that keeps the intrusion to a minimum in Lyndale.

We’ll gather at 6PM in the Monroe Village Community Room, 1900 Central Avenue NE and start soon after that.  Remember  there is plenty of free parking on Central and the cross streets, and the city bus stops at the corner.

If you’re interested in looking for something that happened at a past meeting, notes and announcements are kept at  https://courtwatch2pac.com/    Just scroll down the index on the  home screen under Recent Posts.

Do you have a question about crime or livability issues in the Second Precinct?   Someone else is probably asking the same question.  Let 2-PAC know and we’ll  find someone with the answers.  email me at the address  below

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February 2-PAC notes

Posted on February 21, 2017 | Leave a comment
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 by chair, Larry Ranallo; 27 people attending.

Our speaker this month was Sgt. Chris Karakostas, who leads the Cold Cases unit in the MPD.

Sgt. Karakostas opened with a bit of background:  he worked in the Second Precinct a while ago, in Property Crimes.  He then moved downtown to work on Robbery, and worked on a case that he couldn’t stop thinking about.  That persistence finally led him to Cold Case investigation.

Starting with a definition: no case is “cold” until the Homicide Unit stops working on it..

What re-opens a case to the Cold Cases unit?  One thing that will bring a case out of the files is new technology that did not exist when evidence was gathered.  If new tests can show something that wasn’t apparent before the case went “cold”, those tests should be run.  Many of the cases C.C. investigates are 15 years old. A lot of technology has been invented in that time span so there is a lot of new evidence now available, waiting to be looked at.  Whether or not it points to something is a different question.

Question:  Is a lack of staff a problem?  There is always plenty of work to do, but lab testing is what takes time.  Most lab work is returned in a 3 to 6 month window.  A 6-week return is really lucky.

How cases work in the current environment:  Before 1990, all police work was done on paper.   Cases were physically “handed off”– the paper folders files changed hands.   Reports were often held in someone’s office in a grocery box, and sometimes the grocery boxes went home with an investigator who  wanted to put  in additional time as he could, or because he was afraid something might get lost in storage.  Consequently,  Sgt. Karakostas’ first task  is to find the complete report.

Then, because officers think about cases, he will interview the officers who handled a case.  That sometimes leads to recovery of memories, suggestions, or notes.  Witnesses think about those cases too, and when  they can be located, Sgt. Karakostas will interview them again.

All Bureau of Criminal Apprehension  reports must be retrieved and reviewed so that Cold Cases knows how evidence was tested.  Destructive testing used to be the norm,  but newer technology requires samples even microscopic in size, so is less destructive. It’s still not possible to test “everything”: think of all the places DNA could be found on a jacket.

Pre-computer record keeping was disjointed: Property Evidence kept a master inventory but Downtown didn’t have a copy.  [Now it should be a shared file–EQ]  There’s another new issue with current technology:  keeping electronic access up to date.  Like libraries and hospitals, police records must be periodically transferred to a new medium as access technology is upgraded.

What Cold Cases detectives look for:  What doesn’t fit the picture?  Sgt. Karakostas showed pictures of bloody messes, and noted that no lab can get usable data from that cross contamination, but then showed a picture of a single drop of blood on a cardboard box:  no contamination = just one source and clear evidence.  With luck, that one drop will put a suspect at the murder scene.  That’s a promising  step in finding the right person. There might be evidence that someone washed up in a sink; the sink trap will yield testable evidence.

Closing an old case, bringing closure to give people peace of mind is a satisfying event.

[Check http://insidempd.com/cold-case-files./  for cases still pending — EQ]
State of the Precinct.  Lt. Mike Sanden attended to answer questions.  The Lt. emphasized that it is important to always call, even if you “aren’t sure” because that is what reveals crime trends in the Precinct.  He emphasized that if you see something, focus on getting a description, which is the best help possible for responding officers.

Looking at  the numbers from the Second Precinct crime summary, year to date and comparison with 2016:

Part 1 crimes:

Reported Rape  for 2017 is 12 (2 in 2016) and
Aggravated Assault is 24 (14 in 2016).
Robbery is down by 50% and we have had no homicide in the Second precinct this year.  Total violent crime is up slightly, 13;95 %, at 49 (up from 43 in 2016)

Property crime is up by 8.97% especially auto theft which has almost doubled.

On the enforcement side Total Part I arrests are also up by 39%,  but Part II arrests are down very slightly, (to 119 vs 121 in 2016)    To February 13, 20 weapons were recovered, up from 6 in 2016 for the same period.  The new “foot beat” program has started, with a leap of 360% this year, from 78 in 2016 to 359 this year.  We’ll see in coming months how that works.

Courtwatch: Sarah Becker and Deb Russell were both reporting:

Jerome Darkow in custody until 5/18; Kevin Foster found incompetent, next hearing 4/17; Johnny Hall was on probation but committed a new 5th degree drug charge this month; Daniel Heacock next court date is 2/28/17; Jarid Jovanovich was found competent and has a pretrial hearing in 2/17, will stay in custody; Albert Moen has multiple warrants out; Dae Nisell is in civil commitment, Ryan Pilarski is in custody in St. Louis County and will be sentenced on 3/9/17; Ashley Sage failed a treatment program and was admitted to another program with increased supervision; Jason Tucker violated parole and has been moved into a treatment program.

No updates:  Cody Corbin, Bryan Holmes, Curtis Laroque,  Robert Schroeder.

Removed: Osman Amin, Jerome Darkow, Michael Weston-Rose

Added to courtwatch:

Kenneth Nelson (Felony Drugs: 5th Degree possession, of Schedule 4 naracotics and cocaine.  He has had 3 other contacts in the 2nd Precinct and a long conviction history including motor vehicle theft, 3rd degree burglary and felony terroristic threats)

Jason Enrico: Felony check forgery (stole checks from a roommate and cashed them) and 5th Degree possession  of heroin at 300 Broadway NE traffic stop.  He has had 1 previous arrest for narcotics, convicted of receiving stolen property.

Paula Heille: Felony 5th degree possession of meth in the SAE n’hood, 4 open driving offenses.  Previous convictions Fel 5th degree possession, MDS check forgery, Fel Burglary aid/abet.

Ismail Mahad:  Arising for disorderly conduct at Pizza Hut in Dinkytown, also traffic stop at 1700 University, used a false name, small amount of mj.  He has been arrested 5 times in 2nd Pct in one year: traffic, marijuana, false name.

Old Business:  January minutes were accepted.  The treasurer was absent.  Emilie put in another call for old timers who might remember how our December dinner was supported.  Larry suggested Bill Lloyd as a source.

No new business.

Adjourn.

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Feb. PAC: Cold Cases: Detective Work in the MPD

Posted on January 25, 2017 | Leave a comment
The Minneapolis Police Cold Cases unit is not  new, but it had not had the money it needed for several years until Sgts. Jane Moore and Chris Karakostas relaunched it in 2015.  Sgt. Moore investigated departments around the country and created a “best practices” research strategy that keeps investigations rotating.  Sgt. Karakostas had pursued a case he began as a beat cop, working it through to indictment.  After that, the FBI gave the MPD funding to keep him on  cold case work. The unit is now a joint effort of the MPD, the Hennepin County attorney’s office, and the FBI.

To learn more about MPD Cold Cases, how determination and science can solve decades old crimes, join us on Monday, February 13, at 6 PM for the monthly 2-PAC.  Sgt. Karakostas will explain why he does what he does and how he makes it work.  We’ll also have an update on the State of the Precinct, new Courtwatch cases to consider, and more.

We meet at Monroe Village Apartments Community Room, 1900 Central Ave NE.  There is plenty of free parking on Central and on cross streets.  This information meeting is always free, and we want to see more new faces.

Emilie Quast, member

MPD 2-PAC Board

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2-PAC January 9 notes

Posted on January 18, 2017 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 by Dorothy Bode, 27 attenders.

Inspector Loining opened with a brief report on the Precinct:
Per the Star Tribune summary report, crime was down in the 2nd Precinct by 2.15%, and down 5.85% in the 1st.  Good 2nd Precinct work reported:  one Friday morning  4 vehicles were stolen in the 2nd Precinct–all had been left idling and unlocked.  However, within hours all four vehicles were recovered, and suspects were in custody.  One of the suspects, a juvenile, had left evidence in 5 stolen vehicles.  In a second incident, 2 officers stopped a  burglary in progress on the 1600 block of Washington NE; officers found the suspect hiding nearby with an axe (tool used for  forced entry); suspect was one of our habitual offenders.  Two officers inspected a suspicious vehicle and found an individual living in it; the person had an open warrant.  In a 4th incident a victim was approached by 15 individuals, who threatened the victim, but fled when someone driving by saw and just stopped the car.  The men fled, and an incident report went out with good descriptions of the attackers  One individual matching the description was found soon after on the light rail and had the victim’s wallet on him.
While  it is illegal to leave a car idling  at the curb, this is OK in vehicles with the kind of automatic vehicle starter which kills the engine when a random attempt is make to move the car.

Staffing is increasing after losing 11 in the last 8 months.  We now have 62 sworn officers and 89 employees, total.
Our speaker this month was Lt. Joanne Sellner, Metro Transit Police.  Metro Transit is an agency of the State of Minnesota, that is responsible for public transportation in an 8 county area; the area is divided into East and West  Commands, with the River as the dividing line.  As it has regional authority, it can over-ride local authorities.  The agency was established in 1993 by State Statute 473.407.  This was amended in 2008 giving the MTPD the authority to take law enforcement action on events that are not transit-related.  As things stand, an initial arrest is done by the Transit Police unless the local officers are told otherwise.  Investigation, in contrast, is the responsibility of the local officers unless they authorize the MTPD to investigate.  The same rule applies to both arrests and investigations – if it’s a crime related to Transit, MTPD should be handling it. The difference is that it’s easier to assign the appropriate agency after the initial information has been collected and the crime scene is under control.
The MTP has grown in the last 4 years, from 68 to 112  full time officers, from 62 to  100 part time officers.  They have 12 Community Service Officers, and 12 administrative positions.  However they are still short-staffed with only 0.4 officers for every 1000 passenger rides (contrast with MPD at 2.18 officers per 1000 residents and SPPD with 2.05 officers per 1000 residents).  They also have 6 K-9s trained for explosive detection.  A special team is skilled in crash reconstruction.

Increasingly, Metro Transit Officers are a first point of contact for many of the poor, the ill, the homeless who need social services of all kinds.  Many social agencies hand out Metro Transit free passes to their clients so they can travel from one agency to another.  If they have a crisis on the bus or train, it’s a Metro Transit officers who are likely to have the responsibility to take charge of the situation and get the individual into the service stream.  Transit authorities also have the responsibility  to provide safe and secure transportation for large groups of people after a large scale disaster or a mass arrest.  Finally, the Mpls Public Schools use Metro Transit passes to replace a lot of big orange bus service.

Q&A:
Cold Weather Protocol:  Don’t kick people off.    If someone  is causing problems, drivers have a direct line on the bus to request help, and passengers can also phone 911.  The response is faster if the driver reports, but the driver, of course, also has his hands full of “bus”.  If you see something, say something.  the MTP has about 150 calls/day but most are very low level.  Perhaps 20/day pertain to assault/fight/property crimes.  MTC knows which crimes to expect on what routes and at which stops.
MPS Student Transport: In general this goes well.  The MTP used video training which helped a lot, showing youth what to expect and what is expected of them.  It does put a lot of kids in a vulnerable position, and the MTP has taken precautions to minimize risk to this group.
Crash Reconstruction:  The dept now has 15 technical crash investigators and 5 reconstruction experts.  Note that when trains hit people or bicycles, this is NOT considered a “motor vehicle” incident.
Reporting incidents:  When you call to report something, observe and stay on the line.  Note if it was one or more people, where they acted, what direction they went,  and if on foot, by car or bus?  What they were wearing including hat cap, hoodie, colors, jeans, pants, skirt   Always try to see shoes because people may change their clothes but most won’t  change their shoes.   Height, build, skin color, hair color, and anything else that completes a picture.
Final thought from Lt. Sellner:  This is your community.  If you want crime to stop YOU have to help.
Contact Lt. Sellner  at 612.349.7265; (CELL) 612.290.4238, or joanne.sellner@metrotransit.org
COURTWATCH:  Osman Amin, new trespass on 12-23, arraignment on 1-25-17.  Jerome Darkow, 1-17-17 probation violation hearing.  Kevin Foster, found incompetent, next hearing in April.  Danel Heacock, next competency evaluation is 2/28/17.Jared Jovanovich,  in custody in Anoka, Hennepin issues come after Anoka’s.  Curtis Laroque,  in custody at ACF  until 1/24/17.  Albert Moen has a bench warrant out.  Dae Nisell, also found incompetent, next competency evaluation is 4/4/17.  Michael Weston-Rose, open bench warrant.  Ashley Sage, progress:  she has resolved all her cases, pled guilt to 5th degree drug possession, on a 13-month stay 3 years probation,  and has been admitted to  the Eden Program, next hearing is 1/18/17.  Jason Tucker, release & on parole to 3/17/17.
Nothing new: Cody Corbin, Johnny Hall, Bryan Holmes, Ryan Pilarski,   Robert Schroeder.
Removed: James Lee Zaccardi, Michael James Zaccardi.
Old Business:  12-24 dinner recorded over 140 guests, but 4 head counts were blank so probably there were more.  This is very good for a Saturday 12-24 since many more restaurants are open on Saturdays despite the holiday.  Commercial donors to this event out-did themselves; people who donated their time before, during and after the event were equally generous .  We also received cash donations from  some wonderful people.  If you have ideas for improvements, want to nominate new places to request  for contributions  offer personal time, or have any other suggestions, contact Emilie.  We always want to keep the event fresh.
New Business:  we’re looking for people who were involved with this event in earlier years.  Does anyone have a list or memory of who the donors were 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30+ years ago?  We’d like to give loyal donors some recognition.
Next 2PAC meeting: February 13, 6PM at Monroe Village Apartments Community Room.  Our speaker will be Sgt. Chris Karakostas of the MPD Cold Cases Program.
It’s free and interesting.  Please join us.

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