How liberals deal with crime

We know from previously posted overwhelming documentation that Minneapolis has been beset by violent crime affecting nearly every segment of the city since the spring of 2005. We've seen visitors killed, businesses and individuals robbed by armed thugs, and Qwest workers shot in broad daylight while on the job.

Sometimes it takes a look down to the micro level to see crime's impact on the city, as well as the response of the affected citizens. As one might expect, different people will react to crime problems differently.

The Minneapolis Downtown Journal gives us an insight into just how liberals tackle crime: "It is solved by walking".

By Kari VanDerVeen

Kingfield, CARAG follow other Southwest neighborhoods and form walking groups to combat rising crime.

Scott Engel knows several residents who have been victims of the recent rash of robberies and burglaries in his neighborhood.

“That’s when it really starts to hit home,” said Engel, the community coordinator for the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG). “Everybody’s talking about it.”

And residents have decided they’ve had enough. After the number of crimes spiked in recent months in typically quiet Southwest neighborhoods like CARAG and Kingfield, residents are forming block patrol groups that will hit the streets.

The first thing we notice is vindication on the very local level that the upsurge in Minneapolis crime is a substantial concern for residents. Who wouldn't be with an infiltration of scum despoiling your neighborhood?

In October, November and December 2005 — the last reporting period for which there is data — there were 97 Part One crimes in the Kingfield neighborhood. Part One crimes include homicide, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. There were 70 such crimes during the same period in 2004 and 71 in 2003.

CARAG experienced an even more dramatic increase, with 127 Part One crimes during the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to 77 during the same period in 2004 and 66 in 2003.

And these aren't (or weren't) considered to be the rough neighborhoods. In fact, besides being overrun by liberals, the areas mentioned in the article are very civilized.

Members of Lyndale’s block patrol — dubbed the Lyndale Walkers — also are well-recognized in the neighborhood. The walkers wear neon yellow hats and have badges so residents know they are with the association.

Alright, this is a little comical, and it points out why liberals aren't to be trusted with local or national security of any sort. Conservatives also might form block clubs, but they would come strapped with heavy caliber weaponry, kevlar, and camo clothing. The image, of course, would be that they're not to be trifled with, and if you do, you'll be sorry.

Liberals apparently hope the criminals laugh themselves into submission.

The article does note the resurgence of crime in the fall of 2005:

In August, however, neighborhood organizers re-started the walking group following a crime-ridden summer.

“Coming out of the summer it was pretty bad, so people were really mobilized,” Whittier Community Organizer Josie Shardlow said.

As you know from previous posts, Rambix (sadly) predicts a spring 2005-like insurgency of violent crime in the city, as soon as the warmer weather hits. I don't want it to happen, but the problem is not being addressed by the likes of Mayor Rybak or Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar. It's not going away by itself.

There are simply too many criminals running wild in Minneapolis.