2nd Precinct Advisory Council

2PAC 10 August 2015 Meeting

START: 6 PM – Wings and stuffed mushroom caps from Moose on Monroe (Thank you, Larry!)
CALL TO ORDER: 6:12 PM
INTRODUCTIONS: 22 in attendance
MINUTES: July minutes – approved
TREAS. REPORT: $777.84

Special Weapons and Tactics team is a volunteer unit within the MPD. All officers have additional assignments in the MPD. Our speaker, Sgt. John Scheneman, is assigned to the Second Precinct.

Sgt. Scheneman opened by pointing out that most of what television and movies depict about SWAT operations is not true. The primary goal of any SWAT operation is to diffuse dangerous situations. A successful operation is one in which no one is hurt. Their best tools are experience and training in special tactics to achieve those goals. As a mark of their success, the Minneapolis team is called in for as many as 400 operations each year, and rarely is any operation “news-worthy.”

SWAT normally has 53 officers divided into four teams: Logistics (trucks, ladders, cameras, computers, hard gear), Rifle (primary function is surveillance and reporting, but these are snipers), Entry (close-quarter operations), Chemical placement specialists (tear gas and other chemicals). Negotiators are in a separate unit; Inspector Waite noted that the Second Precinct calls for negotiators every week.

Organization: SWAT members are on call 24/7. They assist special units in the area and also assist the Dept. of Homeland Security. There is a special operations center in the former Emerson School, but most members are now based in the precincts, so a fully trained SWAT team member can partner with precinct officers to head off or contain problems before they escalate.

Before Columbine, street officers were not trained for building entry tactics; now they have some training because trained rapid response saves lives. At Columbine, precinct officers were trained to seal off and stay out of the building until the Special Force could arrive, which took 60-90 minutes. During that time, people were being killed in the school. Current tactics would have officers in the building much sooner, before so many lives had been taken.The statistics underline how important this is. In this country, a person is killed every 30 seconds by an active shooter. Only 2% of these situations ends with a surrender of the agent. The rest end in suicide or are stopped by the police team.

The operating principle is the “Priority of Life Matrix.” If someone is in danger, this team is expected to act first to preserve a citizen’s life. Sgt. Scheneman has combat medic training as do many other members of this team. The team is trained to the highest national standards, including training to combat terrorists.

Every officer is issued standard equipment including a helmet with high tech microphones (sensitive to whispers). Their bulletproof vests will take four direct hits before the garment is penetrated. Additionally they carry field medic kits. (The man who had both legs cut off by a Green Line train was saved by a SWAT medic kit). Other special tools include assault weapons which are designed for police work, not military. Glow sticks are used as silent markers in a building. Noise-distraction devices (Flash-Bangs) are carried for defense of the team; they give an officer 3 to 5 seconds of time to re-position.

Other duties assigned to members of this team include public building risk assessment: identifying risks that would make a building easier for invaders and harder for staff to defend. Many of those suggestions are simple, like “don’t leave security doors unlocked from the outside.”

Sgt. Scheneman and Inspector Waite both affirmed that training and tactics change in response to events like Columbine, terrorist risks, and similar events. Officer training and tactics assessment are ongoing constantly.

CRIME TRENDS IN THE SECOND PRECINCT: report by Inspector Waite.

There has been a slight rise in violent crime in the Second Precinct. Inspector Waite is especially concerned about Theft from Motor Vehicle and stated the crooks don’t break into cars that don’t have something valuable clearly visible. Additionally, thieves are taking spare tires off the back of Honda CR-Vs and stealing parts from air conditioners. Catalytic converters are also being stolen again. Regarding Burglary of Dwelling: there are several groups of people who don’t report immediately; thus when the officers arrive, it’s a cold case. This is especially true of students, who first talk to parents or friends before they call 911. Latinos also hesitate to call for help. There were 6 aggravated robberies, 2 apparently by the same 4 people. There’s speculation that some of this may be by people who were just released from jail; Probation is tracking them closely. Aggravated assault is also up as victims have been drinking or are on their phones and not paying attention to their surroundings. After dark, cell phone lights are easily tracked by people who want to steal them. Finally, the Second Precinct is getting ready for University move-in issues.

Second Precinct Court Watch Summary

Our new representative from the City Attorney’s office, Sarah Becker, reviewed the current list of people being watched.

She had no recommendations for removal from the list.
Reviewing the new cases in our area, she found no cases that merited addition to our list.

Old business: – None
New business – None
Next meeting: Sept 14.
Adjourn 7:56 PM

Please join us for the MPD Second Precinct PAC,  August 10 at 6 PM  Monroe Village Community Room, 1900 Central Avenue NE

In May we had a look at one of the special SWAT team vehicles which was at the 2nd Precinct Open House.  In June we met Nash, the K-9 assigned to the SWAT team.  A member of the  team was scheduled to speak in July but got a last minute call to work with the team so this month, August, we’ll learn about the rest of the team.

The Special Weapons And Tactics team  is the team of MPD assigned to handle high risk situations.  These are the people who work with the Dept. of Homeland Security, and who are expected to be on the front line of extreme situations, whatever may occur.

Our presenter is  Sgt. John Sheneman, who is is also a supervisor at the Second Precinct.  He plans on making a 15 minute presentation and will then show some of the equipment the SWAT team members use If there is something  you’ve been wondering about, you can ask Sgt. Sheneman directly or send me your questions and I’ll see he gets them.

You can read more about the team at  the city website:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/recruiting/org/police_recruiting_units

Following Sgt. Sheneman’s presentation, we will have our monthly report on trends and events in the Precinct, followed by Courtwatch.

START:                             Moose pizza & wings at 6PM  (Thank you, Larry)

CALL TO ORDER:                     6:15 pm

INTRODUCTIONS:            16 in attendance

MINUTES                           Minutes approved

TREASURER’S REPORT:  NR

SWAT  – Our scheduled speaker, Sgt John Sheneman, was called to an emergency on Monday and had to postpone.  He will be our presenter in August.

PRECINCT CRIME REPORT

Home burglaries: Again, we are reminded to lock doors and windows including garage doors, even if you are out in the yard.  Some of the burglaries have happened while home owners are in the yard, and a few have happened after the residents have gone to bed for the night but left a window or a door unlocked.

Be aware that you CAN lock windows open.  There are sash locks available at all hardware and big box stores that permit you to lock a window so that it’s open enough to let the fresh air in but closed enough to keep burglars out.  Sash locks for sliding or double hung windows run about $2 per window and some home DIYs work just as well.

Some of the home burglaries have been through window screens, which are only strong enough to keep mosquitoes out.  Again, the sash locks work because if someone wants to get in, they don’t want to make a lot of noise breaking the glass.  Many burglars know it’s  a lot safer for them to find a house they can just walk in and take what they want than it is to break their way in.

Waite Park continues to have more than its share of garage burglaries.  Many are unforced access, also.

The area of NE University at Lowry has seen a rash of robberies on the street, especially in the Hispanic  area.  Many are after dark but they are actually any time.  Officers are concerned that some people, especially recent immigrants,  might be afraid to call the police because of experience with police in the counties they have left; they don’t see police as on their side.  The precinct needs those calls so they know where to increase patrols.  If you see something, say something, preferably on the phone to 911.

Street racing has also started up again.  The Precinct has set up mobile cameras to capture evidence.

National Night Out is coming fast — August 4 (first Tuesday).  If you want an MPD  Second Precinct  squad to stop, contact  Nick Juarez (nicholas.juarez@minneapolismn.gov), or Susan Webb (susan.webb@minneapolismn.gov).  For a UMPD stop on NNO, contact Sgt. Jim Nystrom 612.290.3787 or nystr017@umn.edu     The Hennepin County Attorney’s office is doing outreach also.  See the form at please fill out the request form at www.hennepinattorney.org/NNO
COURTWATCH:

The new City Attorney assigned to the Second Precinct is Sarah Becker.  She has experience  in both city and county attorney offices. She can be reached at  sarah.becker@minneapolismn.gov

No names were removed from the watch list.  Bianka Kiersten Truman’s trial date is Sept 21 and the prosecuting attorney says impact statements might help.  Ms Truman is charged with indecent exposure and loiter with intent at 7xx Fillmore St in Beltrami.
One name was added:  Michael D-Mar Weston-Rose was apprehended for indecent exposure on the Green Line light rail (CNN 15-022652).  He has two open cases, one trespass case in the 1st precinct and a theft in Bloomington.  He has been active in the 2nd precinct with 5 arrests in the last 12 months (warrant, shoplifting, trespass (2), and this indecent exposure).  He’s had 18 arrests in the city since 2014.  His PT is on Sept. 4.

Since we had time to think about it, people offered ideas about new topics to present at PAC.  One new suggestion is an explanation of traffic stops, which is presented at the MPD Citizens’ Academy (which I attended).   Other suggestions: Active shooters in public places, FBI presentation on ISIL/ISIS/Al-Shabaab recruiters, Food shelves and other social services on the Eastside (with the hope of generating a list or directory),  Job Corps, CERT training.

Also, we need more ways to let people know that we are meeting and where.  Suggestions included 4 x 6″ cards to post at coffee shops, distributing our 3-fold pamphlet more widely, car stickers, and a sidewalk temporary meeting sign to put out in front of Monroe Village on PAC night.  Is there a designer or a printer who could  help?

SECOND PRECINCT LITTLE FREE LIBRARY:  is installed and open for business.  Donations are wanted.  Officer Mota said that children’s books are really going fast but donations in every genre are wanted.  Drop your donations off at the desk, please.

NEXT 2PAC MEETING:  August 1 at 6PM, when we hope to hear Sgt John Sheneman’s talk about SWAT.

ADJOURN:  7:26pm

She’s a woman of many talents!

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-build-little-free-libraries/305100961/

Nice picture, too.

Join us at 6 PM on June 8 at 1900 Central Ave NE, Monroe Village Community Room

The deadline request for impact statements is APRIL 27.

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Call for Community Impact Statements: Prospect Park East River Road

On January 17, Jesse Alan Houge committed a 2nd Degree Aggravated Robbery (implying that he had a gun)  at Barton and Melbourne at about 8PM.  He then moved to Arthur Avenue at Sidney Place, and committed a 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery, this time displaying his gun.  He was caught and charged, and entered a guilty plea, which means no jury trial.  The judge in this case will have the sole determination of the outcome.  The Hennepin County Attorney’s office has requested impact statements from neighbors in the community.

How does this person’s crime, in your immediate neighborhood, early in the evening, make you feel about your safety close to home?  If you have been affected by this person’s action, please write a comment to be forwarded to the judge.

Your comments should include the following information:

State v. Jesse Alan Houge

Case # 27-CR-15-1797

Case # 27-CR-15-1800

Your name, phone number with area code, employer (if applicable), your title, the date.

You do not  need  to write a long, polished essay. A few honest sentences about how this person’s act made you feel or think differently, and  what you want as an outcome for the case are all that are needed.
Mr. Houge’s court date is May 1.  Impact statements should be turned in by APRIL 27 so there’s plenty of time to get them to the judge.  You may hand deliver or mail to Nick Juarez, MPD Second  Precinct, 1911 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418.  Email delivery is fine:  nicholas.juarez@minneapolismn.gov
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I am very sorry about that mistake.  Please get those statements in and ask your friends to do the same.

COURTWATCH:

Call for Community Impact Statements two aggravated robberies in a residential n’hood

On January 17, Jesse Alan Houge committed a 2nd Degree Aggravated Robbery (implying that he had a gun) at Barton and Melbourne SE at about 8PM. He then moved to Arthur Avenue at Sidney Place, and committed a 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery, this time displaying his gun. He was caught and charged, and entered a guilty plea, which means no jury trial. The judge in this case will have the sole determination of the outcome. The Hennepin County Attorney’s office has requested impact statements from neighbors in the community.

How does this person’s crime, on the Eastside of Minneapolis, early in the evening, make you feel about your safety close to home? Please be very aware that Mr. Houge committed two Aggravated Robberies in a residential neighborhood, less than a block from a public school. He did this between 8 and 8:30 PM, prime time for dog walkers, kids returning home from a playdate at a neighbor’s house, neighbors outside for many reasons. If you have been affected by this person’s action, please write a comment to be forwarded to the judge.

Your comments should include the following information:

State v. Jesse Alan Houge

Case # 27-CR-15-1797

Case # 27-CR-15-1800

Your name, phone number with area code, employer (if applicable), your title, the date.

You do not need to write a long, polished essay. A few honest sentences about how this person’s act made you feel or think differently, and what you want as an outcome for the case are all that are needed.

Mr. Houge’s court date is May 1. Impact statements should be turned in by May 27 so there’s plenty of time to get them to the judge. Please hand deliver or mail to Nick Juarez, MPD Second Precinct, 1911 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Email delivery is fine: nicholas.juarez@minneapolismn.gov

Start: 6:15 pm
23 in attendance
Minutes of March meeting: approved

MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION: PROGRAMS AND SAFETY
Our guest speakers were Larry Umphrey, Director of Recreation Centers and Programs, and Lt. Calvin Noble, Minneapolis Parks Police.

SUMMER IN THE PARKS: Larry Umphrey:
Thanks to financial support from Major League Baseball, Eastside parks will be enjoying the ever popular Fundamentals of Baseball program and the fields will be getting some much needed improvements.

There are many programs available during the summer that include Day Camp “Camp Northeast”. These are “closed campus” programs so kids who are enrolled are being kept on site, not wandering off. All youth programs, including day care and camps are linked to this page:

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/youth_programs/

Summer programs include a meal which is paid for by the USDA and the MPS Summer Lunch Program.

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/youth_programs/teen_programs/summer_meals/

The Night Owls Program is for 12-18 year-olds on Friday nights, again providing good programs in a safe place.

The Master Planning Meetings are going on now, mostly focused on spring basketball, softball, track and field. Fields are being revamped to meet changing needs of changing programs. Eliott Park now has an artificial turf soccer field which is partly an answer to the need created by the heavy use the parks get. Fields are used for skating in the winter, followed by three seasons of hard use as playing fields. There really isn’t any time for soil or turf to recover.

One very important and very “green” new item is coming this summer: Weber is opening a new concept in public aquatics: a pool and beach development at Weber will be the first non-chemical natural filter for clean water. Look for announcements in July.
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POLICING THE PARKS: Lt. Calvin Noble

Lt. Calvin Noble, who leads the Park Police Department’s patrol division spoke about changes in that office.

Established in 1887, the MPRB Police is a separate department from the MPD. Officers are fully trained by MPD, and have all the responsibilities of any MPD officer. The Park Police have 35 sworn officers on staff but changes in the pension plan moved many people to take retirement. The force is now returning to full strength, by the end of this year 14 of the 25 patrol officers will be new to the department within the past two years.

Officers are assisted by members of the Park Patrol: 10 people are currently in training for that. Those new agents will bring the department back to the full strength of 22 Park Patrol Agents. The Park Agents wear grey while the Park Officers wear MPD uniforms. Park Patrol Agents are authorized to take reports, write tickets, etc., freeing regular Officers to work in the parks and handle more serious crimes. When the MPRB Police is fully staffed it has 57 individuals including both Park Police Officers and Park Patrol Agents. Park Police are off duty at 1AM and back on at 7AM. Between those times, park security is the responsibility of the MPD.

As recently as the 1970s, the MPRB Police used to have a lot of part time police officers; many summer staff were actually school teachers who needed extra jobs. That program eventually became what is now the Park Patrol Agent program. Under the current program, Park Agent training is standard and professional. One downside is that they lose many employees each year to jobs in other places. Many of the Park Agents are either in school to become an officer or have completed their schooling and are seeking sworn positions with a police department. Being a Park Patrol Agent is a valuable line on a resume; the training is that good and other cities want staff with Minneapolis training!

The Park Police are responsible for some 200 pieces of land in several cities, including St. Louis Park, St. Anthony and other cities. Parks are 15% of the land in Minneapolis but the site of only 3% of the crime.

The Minneapolis Park Police works collaboratively with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s department as well as other local law enforcement agencies where the MPRB has property.

There are a lot of requests for dog parks in Minneapolis, but that is a NIMBY issue. Because of dog owners’ perceived need for dog parks, the Park Police get a lot of complaints about unleashed dogs in the people parks. It is one of the biggest complaints that the department receives.

Much of the crime in the parks is down though there has been a rise in robberies in some parts of Minneapolis. Most of the robberies involve the suspect taking the victim’s phone. Note that theft from a locked car is considered a property crime, not a crime against person. Criminals watch to see what runners tuck something under the driver’s seat or in the trunk, wait until the owner is out of sight and then break in; it only takes moments.

Two circumstances drive many Thefts from Motor Vehicles: a stolen credit card retrieved from under a car seat can be easily be used, often before it’s reported stolen. Target, among other places, does not require an ID to use a credit card, so a stolen card can be used to purchase gift cards. Similarly cellphones are often easy to take because most people carry one and people often have them out either talking on them, looking down at them, or allow suspects to use/see the phones. When people are looking at their phones, they’re not alert to their surroundings. Until recently the phones could be flipped for cash in kiosks with nothing to even slow down the process. Recent laws have changed that though there are other means of selling a stolen phone for cash or trading for other items.

INSPECTOR WAITE’S REPORT ON EASTSIDE CRIME:

Burglaries are on the rise, especially in large apartment buildings, which can have a “dormitory” atmosphere. People know people on their floors, and figure the street doors are locked so leave their apartment doors unlocked. Additionally, as homeowners get into their yards, they leave their doors unlocked also. At this time of year, lots of bikes and lawnmowers disappear from unlocked garages.

The best advice is to mark your property so that you can identify it. Too often the police will find a bike that has been abandoned someplace that is close to a description of a disappeared bike but since there is no serial number or hidden ID, there is nothing the police can do to match the bike with the description. Serial numbers are always best.

Robberies are increasing especially west of Central and north of Broadway.

Inspector Waite asks that people please call about juveniles out past curfew. These young people are very vulnerable in many respects, not only being victims of crime, but also beginning to move into a poor life style.

Curfew Deadlines:
SUNDAY- THURSDAY FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Under 12 Home by 9PM Home by 10PM

12-14 Home by 10PM Home by 11PM

15-17 Home by 11PM Home by Midnight

Join us for our monthly 2nd Precinct Advisory Council meeting at 6 PM, on April 13 at Monroe Village Apartments, 1900 Central Avenue NE. There is plenty of on-street parking very close to the corner.

ONE CHANGE: Please enter the Monroe Village Community Room from the courtyard entrance, not the front door. Walk a quarter block down 19th and you’ll see a well-lit drive and sidewalk. The first door on your right is the security entrance to our meeting place. Signs will be up.

Our Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board has been named the Number 1 U.S. Park System, not once, but twice, in 2013 and 2014. It’s time to be planning your family’s spring sports and summer activities so you don’t miss a single day of safe, professionally planned activities. Join us at PAC to find out more about what they are and how they happen.

Our April speakers are Larry Umphrey, Director of Recreation Centers and Programs, who makes sure our programs are planned to include activities for people of all ages.

With Mr. Umphrey is Lt. Calvin Noble, who leads the patrol division of the Park Police. He will give a brief overview of his department which includes both sworn officers and non-sworn Park Patrol Agents. He will tell us how he and his staff operate, both independently and in cooperation with our own Second Precinct, to keep Eastside parks safe places to go and send our children. Inspector Waite joins him to explain how the two police departments coordinate and back each other up.

There will be plenty of time for questions following their talks. That’s also a good time to mention something you’ve seen in other cities that might be good to have in Minneapolis. Who knows? Perhaps it’s already here!

COURT WATCH

Court Watch will start approximately at 6:45 pm. Court Watch is a collaborative, community-based approach to criminal justice. Concerned citizens are partners with police, prosecutors, probation officers and others to respond to public safety issues.

This event is more than “Open to the Public”. PAC meetings are your opportunity to learn a little each month about the safety and security issues we all must handle. Learn a little and spread the word and we’ll all benefit.

2nd Pricinct Advisory Council meetings are for all Eastside people who care about safety and security in the Eastside of Minneapolis. Join us if you are a resident, business owner, or other stakeholder in the 2nd Precinct. We welcome your participation and support.