Rambix and the Red Star

Passing The Baton

2006-10-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

NEW RAMBIX EMAIL:
rambix1@gmail.com

[don't forget the "1" after rambix; yes, someone else already had just "rambix" as their gmail address! A pox upon his or her house.]

Rambix has retired, but Minneapolis violent crime continues unabated.

Fortunately, the crime alert baton has been picked up by smart and insightful blogger Margaret Martin, who is also co-host of the local radio show, "The Taxpayers League", on AM 1280 The Patriot. There's no question that Margaret will take crime reporting and holding public official's feet to the fire to new levels. Visit the Minneapolis Crime Watch early and often.

Rambix tipsters: please send your crime tips Margaret's way. She'll be discreet if that's what you need.

Another local Minneapolis-based "activist" is John Schulte of the Northeast Citizen Patrol (NECP). You can subscribe to his email newsletter by sending an email to info@nepatrol.org with Subscribe to Crime Alerts in the subject line.

That is all.

It Is Time...

2006-10-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

...to retire from Rambix and the Red Star.

This is harder than I thought it would be, mostly because I've had a great time doing this blog. A really great time. I have criminal justice running through my veins, so this venture was an easy and natural fit for me, and the people I've "met" through blogging are the best of the best.

The challenge is there is no natural stopping point for a blog. I never really had a time frame in mind when I started blogging; I just figured I'd do it until I got sick of it. And frankly, I'm not sick of it at all - I still love exposing things you'll not read about in the MSM, particularly the Red Star.

The reason I'm retiring is that the blogging is encroaching on my personal life, and has been interfering with family time. I have a young child who is growing faster than I can believe, and I just don't want to miss any of it. If I was a single guy it would be a different story. I think anyone who is married with young children might understand.

Aside from family life, I want to have more time to immerse myself in my faith, and to have that focus be an example for my child.

Don't worry, I haven't gone soft. I still despise criminal scumbags and the girlie-men who allow them to fester in our once-fine cities. I still think Mayor Rybak is an empty suit, and the Minneapolis city council couldn't run a 7-11 store, much less a mid-sized city like Minneapolis (the difference is if it was 7-11 they would just go out of business; with Minneapolis they are perpetually enabled by the wishy-washy liberal multiculturalist urban socialists).

It's really going to be painful not to be able to write about the crime stories ignored by the MSM, because, believe me, the Quagmire ain't over.

The Rambix blog has been doing better than ever, but I didn't do it for ego. I did it to get the word out, to create an awareness, and because I care about crime victims and potential victims (and there are a lot of potential victims in Minneapolis). I think I succeeded to some degree.

I've never been comfortable with the personal attention. I've turned down a couple of radio interviews, a magazine/periodical interview, and personal appearances. People have been generous and accomodating, but those things aren't me. Don't get me wrong, I like the increased exposure for readership and to spread the message, but the focus should be on crime and quality of life and the victims.

I'll still be involved in the "community" in other ways. I'm also going to follow and read the best bloggers in the country, many of which are located right here in the Twin Cities. Minnesota has a first-class local blogging community, and I'll be checking in as often as possible. I hope that some of them pick up some of the crime reporting: KvM, Anti-Strib (and it's socialist-like collective of smart bloggers), Powerline, Shot in the Dark (Mitch Berg - the best blog writer out there, in my view), Fraters Libertas, Minnesota Democrats Exposed, and many others found in the MOB blogroll.

I'm grateful and appreciate of all the readers and frequent commenters of the Rambix blog, such as Margaret Martin, Nordeaster (vote for him if you're in his district), McGruv, jb doubtless, Andrew Rothman, bobby_b, crap, usedtobeliberal, AntiElf, Joel Rosenberg, jay, The Watcher, Kevin from Minneapolis, all the "anonymous's", ORD to MSP, bud, a Cedar-Riversider and NRA mem, amy, Bjorn, team ramrod, Rebecca, nathan bissonette, Chunkstyle, Greg, Rich, Spectator, PaulC, Sam, Silence Dogood, and many, many others. There's a lot of talent in these names (and others I may have missed), and I hope to see some of them who haven't been blogging start their own and share their wisdom.

Sorry about the long post - I just have a lot to say as I wrap this up.

It's been a lot of fun.

If you're now aware that the Red Star filters your crime stories and suppresses certain information to fit their social engineering, then I've done my job.

If you're now aware that Mayor Rybak and the Minneapolis City Council are ineffective empty suits, then I've done my job.

If you're now aware that criminals from different states and countries are importing their filth and violence to Minneapolis and the Twin Cities and beyond, then I've done my job.

If you're now aware that blogs are the future of information flow and truth, and that MSM such as the Red Star know it, then I've done my job.

Stay safe, never let your guard down, and never let the scumbags win. And never stop trying to get the useless politicians out of office - don't entrust your safety to people who can't do the job.

Rambix

P.S. I'll leave the blog page up for awhile for reference.

University Robberies Continue & Other Minneapolis Crime

2006-10-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

The University of Minnesota Police have issued another campus crime alert following two broad daylight robberies. The brazen manner of these criminals is very troubling, and caution should be exercised:

robberies - st. paul campus
POSTED: october 11, 2006

There have been two recent robberies along Cleveland Avenue on the St. Paul Campus. One occurred near the intersection of Buford Avenue and the other was near the intersection of Doswell Avenue. Both locations are just south of Bailey Hall. They occurred as follows:

Just before 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, a young adult visitor to campus was robbed near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Buford Avenue. One of the suspects implied that he had a gun. The victim was not injured and the suspects fled with his wallet and backpack and departed in a dark colored mini-van being driven by a third suspect. The suspects were described by the victim as being two males in their late teens to early twenties, approximately six-feet tall, of light build, and of East-African origin. One was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, and the other was dressed in dark clothing.

Just after 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, a student was robbed near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Doswell Avenue. The victim was approached by two males who demanded the victim's book bag. One of the suspects held something to the victim's back while the suspects wrestled the victim to the ground. The suspects took the victim's book bag and ran westbound on Doswell Avenue from Cleveland Avenue. The victim was not seriously injured. Both suspects were described as being males in their early twenties, approximately 5' 6" to 5' 10" tall with medium builds and dark complexions. One suspect was described as wearing a brown striped thigh-length long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans and the other was described as wearing an orange long-sleeve shirt.
Cleveland Avenue is a busy thoroughfare in the afternoon, and it is hoped that somebody witnessed the incidents as they were driving or walking by. Anyone with information regarding the suspects or the vehicle in either incident is encouraged to call the University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) at 612-624-COPS (2677) to assist us in solving this crime.

Meanwhile, other than students getting mugged in the middle of the day in Mayor Rybak's Minneapolis, not much else happening. Except...this from the 4th Precinct:

CCN: MP 06-284329
NATURE: SHOOT
LOCATION: 6th St. N. & 31st Ave. N.
TIME: 2045 hrs October 2, 2006
DESCRIPTION: Officers responded to SHOOT at above location. The victims sustained gunshot wounds to their legs. Both victims were transported to NMMC with non-life threatening injuries.

CCN: 06-284388, Squad 463, Officer’s Haugland and Beeks were en route to HCJ with a prisoner and were eastbound on 4th St S and were entering the intersection at 2nd Ave S when a vehicle drove through the red light heading southbound on 2nd Ave S. Officer Beeks attempted to avoid the collision but collided with the right rear passenger side of the vehicle causing moderate damage. Squad (460) sustained moderate front end damage.
Officers were slightly injured. The prisoner claimed that his back was injured and was transported to HCMC via ambulance and was eventually booked at HCJ. Traffic squad responded and handled the state accident report.

CCN: 06-284594, Squad 425, Officer’s Taylor and Tuma initiated a TLE at 0154 hours in the area of Lyndale Ave N/Lowry Ave N. The rear passenger bails and is seen running from the vehicle with a pistol in his hand. He was never found. The driver was booked for CANCELIPS. One of the passengers had a warrant and was booked at HCJ.

CCN: MP 06-285743
NATURE: SHOOT
LOCATION: Girard Av. N. & 18th Ave. N.
TIME: 0510 hrs October 4, 2006
DESCRIPTION: The victim showed up at HCMC with a grazing gun shot wound to the thigh. The victim reported that he was shot during an attempted robbery. The victim reported that this incident occurred at 0200 hours.

06-286,839
Assault 3
36XX Fremont Av N

Squads were sent to above on an assault. Officers arrive and find the victim sitting on the sidewalk outside above. This victim was hit and kicked in the face and head by unknown suspects. During the assault, victim tried to run away but as he stepped off the curb he snapped his ankle, severely breaking his ankle. Victim transported to the hospital via ambulance.

06-287408
13XX Irving Ave N
DASLT2

A male and female who were boyfriend/girlfriend were in a verbal argument. During the argument the male struck the female in the head with a cutting board and the female stabbed the male. The male received a non life threatening injury to his arm. The male was transported to HCMC and the female was booked for Aslt2.

06-289689
Weapon
R&C
False Info

On 10-07-06 Officer Hagen in squad 410 conducted a traffic stop. The 2 occupants of the vehicle got out and smelled of marijuana. While Officer Hagen was investigating a handgun was observed on the passenger floor of the vehicle. Both parties were taken into custody for the weapon. Burnt marijuana residue was located in the vehicle along with the gun which was found to be a stolen gun. One of the parties gave a false name. Both parties were adults and booked into HCJ for PC Weapons, R&C and giving a false name to police.

06-290,321
ASSAULT/Stabbing
2600 block Penn Av N
0355 hrs

Squad 425 was traveling SB on Penn when officers observe a male lying in the street and females screaming for help on the sidewalk. Females tell officers male victim was apparently assaulting his girlfriend (a witness to stabbing) when two suspects intervened. One suspect stabbed victim in the eye while the second suspect punched and kicked him. Both suspects fled the area before police arrived. Female witnesses claim the suspects are unknown to them and unknown why they would stab the victim.

Victims injury was non-life threatening.

On 10/08/2006 at 1332 Officer responded to 43XX James on the report of a shooting. The victim was shot in the head and at the time of this email is alive and being treated at NMMC.

The shooting occurred inside 43XX Knox when 3 males (victim, witness, witness) entered the residence. The victim was shot in the head and the victim’s money was taken, as was the witness’s money.

NATURE: SHOOT
LOCATION: 17XX Broadway Ave. N.
TIME: 1433 hrs October 9, 2006
DESCRIPTION: The victim was inside “Slice of Chicago” located at Broadway and James when an argument ensued. Victim ran out of the business and WB on Broadway. Suspects shot at the victim and hit him once in the right lower leg and once in the left thigh. Victim then ran into the YMCA located at above. 911 was then called. Officer escorted the victim to the hospital. Victim did not have life threatening injuries.

Welcome to the Quagmire.

Chase, Suspect Shot After Brandishing Weapon

2006-10-11T06:32:00.000-05:00

KARE 11 News reports a police chase involving a vehicle suspected as having been involved in some of the aggravated assaults that have plagued the Twin Cities of late. The suspect allegedly brandished a weapon and was shot by officers: "Police chase ends in shooting".

A police chase in Saint Paul ended with a man shot and a church van damaged.

The van, from Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, was spotted driving erratically near Summit and Syndicate avenues. It is not known if the van had been reported stolen.

The driver fled police, eventually crashing the van about four and a half miles away at University and Beacon. Two squad cars were damaged in the chase.

Police say as they approached the van, they saw the driver reaching for something. Believing it to be a shotgun, officers fired two shots. The driver is at Region's hospital.

Minneapolis Police had been looking for the van earlier in the evening, because they believe it was involved in three separate aggravated assaults.

[Photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

Sex Assault Averted

2006-10-10T20:22:00.000-05:00

I hesitate somewhat to post this story, mostly because of the missing pieces. Unfortunately for true victims, some of these sexual assault stories turn out to be fabricated. I have no reason to believe one way or another for this story, but a red flag goes up when the victim can only give one piece of information on her attacker: "...she could not provide a detailed description of the many, saying only that he was heavy set."

That doesn't pass the initial smell test for me.

This particular story appears to be fairly widely distributed on MSM sites, and here is the KSTP News version: "SCSU student fights off parking-lot attack".

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - Police were investigating on Tuesday a report of an attempted sexual assault in a parking lot at St. Cloud State University.

Police said a female student was walking to her vehicle Monday night when a man opened the rear door of a parked vehicle and pulled her into the back seat.

The woman was able to fight her way out of the vehicle and get away. Her injuries are not life-threatening.

She told police that she could not provide a detailed description of the many, saying only that he was heavy set. He was in a larger, newer four-door vehicle with a cloth interior.

Again, I don't want to discount a legitimate story, but I need more information. Out of instinct, I took a wait-and-see approach with the Kenwood Park sex assault story, and that turned out to be the right move (I certainly miss some too) because the story turned out to be "Unfounded".

Let's give this latest story some time and see what shakes out. Obviously, if true, it merits significant concern.

Gun To The Head: Update

2006-10-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

Fox 9 News has finally improved its website, particularly the timeliness of stories posted (as a side note, I don't care for the appearance too much, but it's the reporting that counts, right?).

Fox 9 is also the first TV news site, as far as I can tell, to update the Sunday afternoon Minneapolis shooting story that I posted about here: "Gun To The Head In Minneapolis" (previous post). Here's the Fox 9 News update:

MINNEAPOLIS -- As you look down the 4300 block of Knox Avenue North, nothing looks out of the ordinary.

But go to the back of the alley and there are reminders of the violence that took place Sunday afternoon.

"This is an everyday occurrence and it's quite frightening when somebody injured as result of this,” Lt. Greg Reinhardt said. “This isn't somebody being ripped off, it's being assaulted."

Police say three men were in the metro when they saw a car for sale, called the number listed and went to meet up with the sellers at a north Minneapolis home.

"They went inside and almost immediately they were confronted by three suspects, two of them armed with guns," Reinhardt said.

With cash in hand, police say they never had a chance to just give the money up.

"They were basically shot first and robbed second," Reinhardt said.

Welcome to Minneapolis! You can be a Qwest employee, a pizza delivery driver, a newspaper delivery person, and now a potential car buyer, and be an equal opportunity victim of violence.

As for the investigation, police are talking to everybody, starting with the people who own the home.

That would be a good place to start. Good luck catching these rats.

By the way, Minneapolis criminals are probably disappointed the Republicans are coming to town in '08, because they're more likely to be armed. The Dems, of course, would have been soft targets. Let's see what happens to violent crime that week, assuming there's anyone left in the city by that time.

Shot To The Head: Update

2006-10-09T21:58:00.000-05:00

MINNEAPOLIS -- As you look down the 4300 block of Knox Avenue North, nothing looks out of the ordinary.

But go to the back of the alley and there are reminders of the violence that took place Sunday afternoon.

"This is an everyday occurrence and it's quite frightening when somebody injured as result of this,” Lt. Greg Reinhardt said. “This isn't somebody being ripped off, it's being assaulted."

Police say three men were in the metro when they saw a car for sale, called the number listed and went to meet up with the sellers at a north Minneapolis home.

"They went inside and almost immediately they were confronted by three suspects, two of them armed with guns," Reinhardt said.

With cash in hand, police say they never had a chance to just give the money up.

"They were basically shot first and robbed second," Reinhardt said.

Welcome to Minneapolis! You can be a Qwest employee, a pizza delivery driver, a newspaper delivery person, and now a potential car buyer, and be an equal opportunity victim of violence.

As for the investigation, police are talking to everybody, starting with the people who own the home.

Gun To The Head In Minneapolis

2006-10-09T07:17:00.000-05:00

The Red Star reports on a shooting in Minneapolis from Sunday afternoon. The victim was shot in the head, and a motive is not yet known: "Man in north Minneapolis shot in the head".

A shooting in a north Minneapolis home Sunday afternoon left a man in critical condition at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, police said.

The victim, who was not identified, was shot in the head, said Minneapolis police Lt. Kim Lund.

Lund said it was not yet known why the victim was in the house in the 4300 block of Knox Avenue N. Neighbors said he did not match the description of any of the residents there.

The police do not believe this crime to be random at this time. I will post more as facts become available.

Criminals Running Amok

2006-10-09T06:23:00.000-05:00

Not Minneapolis this time.

If you left Minneapolis to escape the crime, and you landed a couple of hours north on the edge of Lake Superior, you're in for a rude awakening. The city on the hill with the expansive view of the lake has become a hotbed of crime and violence over the last couple of years.

It's not a stretch to theorize that as goes Minneapolis, so goes the state.

On 10/2/06 I wrote about the surging Duluth crime rates here: "Violent Crime Moves To Duluth".

Today's Red Star recognizes that Duluth has entered it's very own Quagmire: "Duluth 'just a different town nowadays'".

Gangs, drugs and fewer cops have bred a 20 percent increase in crime in the city.

Chuck Haga, Star Tribune

DULUTH - Jennifer Randa didn't need to see the official numbers released this month by the Duluth Police Department: crime up nearly 20 percent from 2004 to 2005, with drug crime more than doubling and violent crimes up by 32 percent.

The timing of these numbers closely correlates with those of Minneapolis. Once that base of criminal operations is established in the metro area, it's easier to branch out to new territory.

"My [Jennifer Randa] son is 19," she said. "He's in school, studying to be a police officer.

"He was getting dropped off the other night after studying at a friend's house, and a guy came running at the car with a gun in his hand."

Her son and his friend drove off, she said. He called her later to say he would stay at the friend's house rather than risk another attempt to come home.

A month before, he was working at a gas station when it was robbed.

"I like to take a walk every day," Randa said, glancing at the mission door, thinking about the scenic harbor view from the streets on the hillside above, a view many consider one of the northern Minnesota city's premier attractions.

"But I'm scared to take my walk anymore," she said.

Living in fear is no way to live, especially in outstate cities like Duluth, which, in the past, have not been immune to crime, but far removed from most urban-type ills.

That trend is changing.

"Duluth is definitely seeing more crimes involving drugs, more crimes involving gangs and more crimes related to those activities," [Police Chief] Hanson said.

Assaults, robberies and burglaries all spiked in 2005, and indications are that the trends are continuing this year...

So now Minnesota has gangs in the liberal bastion of Northfield, gangs and crime in Faribault, guns and drugs in Duluth, and gang acitivity in St. Cloud, all, I will submit, an extension of the lawlessness that has been allowed to go unabated in Minneapolis.

Where will the good people go if even cities like Duluth are no longer safe harbor?

Criminal Gang Beats, Robs Art Center Patron

2006-10-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

"It was very scary. I started panicking when I realized I was being surrounded by a group of people," he said.

A man leaving the Walker Art Center, which is at the merge of Hennepin and Lyndale Avenues in Minneapolis, was robbed and beaten as he made his way through adjacent Loring Park.

It was only 9:45 p.m.

The M.O. and location is consistent with the recent spate of gang assaults about which I've posted recently: "Minneapolis: Loring Greenway Muggings" & "Fox 9 Now Reports Greenway Muggings On Their Website". The Loring Greenway feeds into Loring Park.

No description of the criminals is given, so Rambix' Axiom of MSM Reporting (described in this post) will likely apply.

KSTP News reports: "Architect beaten, robbed in Loring Park".

A Twin Cities architect was beaten and robbed in a place that doesn't see much violent crime. The latest victim was leaving an event at the Walker Arts Center and after he crossed over the pedestrian bridge, he says he was surrounded by at least four men.

"I thought this was just a beautiful fall night," Todd Wichman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. "I was in a state of disbelief."

It was dark outside, around 9:45 p.m. Thursday. But, Wichman never imagined he would be surrounded attacked and robbed by four men while walking through Minneapolis' historic Loring Park neighborhood.

If anything positive can be taken from this brutish thuggery, I'm hopeful that it will cause an awakening in the urban elites that their lives and safety are at risk, not just those who live in North Minneapolis. Ultimately, crime knows no boundaries.

As some of the thugs stole his watch, digital camera and cell phone, others kicked him in the face.

He ended up with four stitches into the bridge of his nose.

"It was very scary. I started panicking when I realized I was being surrounded by a group of people," he said.

Within hours the robbers made a page full of calls on Wichman's cell phone.

Police say there's been at least five robberies in the Loring Park and Greenway area in the last week. Investigators are trying to determine if they are connected. All of this as he prepares to host thousands of guests at an architecture convention this weekend. And, he'll have to explain this side of Minneapolis.

It's about time someone explained it.

Welcome to the Minneapolis Quagmire.

[Photo courtesy KSTP News]

4 Shootings Last Night In Minneapolis

2006-10-06T22:12:00.000-05:00

Fox 9 News has reported that there were, including the homicide, four separate shooting incidents in Minneapolis last night.

Four!

Kare 11 News has a brief mention, but I don't see this story elsewhere:

[Minneapolis Police spokesman] Reinhardt also said the murder was one of multiple shooting incidents on the south side overnight. Police want to know if they're connected.

What has happened to our once-fine city under it's liberal leadership?

Further Details On Minneapolis Murder #50

2006-10-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

I'll make an admission right now that I have no idea how the Minneapolis murder count is tabulated. For awhile there I would report each murder sequentially, adding "1" to the previous number, yet the official number would turn out to be different. I've even noted differences among MSM news organizations, which over time are "corrected" and change.

Tabulating the murder count doesn't sound hard on it's face, so why do the numbers vary? KvM tracks the numbers closely, to the extent they include them permanently on their sidebar, and their count today is "48", but the MSM organizations are reporting "50". Are differences simply the result of classification changes?

I don't know.

In any event, every report on the latest murder I've heard has the current Minneapolis murder total as 50, so I'll go with that.

KARE 11 News has more details on last night's killing: "Teen gunned down in south Minneapolis".

Overnight, Minneapolis recorded its 50th homicide of the year. And this time, it was a teenager.

Minneapolis Police say around 10:30 Thursday evening, in the 2300 block of Elliot Avenue South, a 16-year-old African American male was hit by drive-by gunfire. He died at the scene.

Witnesses said they heard as many as four shots, others said it sounded like automatic gunfire.

Police say they have a lot of questions and very few answers. They don't know if the teen was the target of the shooter or if this was a random event.

The bottom line is, with 48, 50, or even 10 murders in Minneapolis, the violence is not acceptable to residents, business owners, and visitors to the city. The robberies, murders, and assaults in Minneapolis are low in absolute numbers relative to New Orleans, Detroit, or Chicago, but are much higher on a per capita basis than it should be.

So, the question remains: When will the good citizens of Minneapolis fill the leadership vacuum in furtherance of their safety?

Drive-by Murder in South Minneapolis

2006-10-06T09:19:00.000-05:00

There ia breaking news of a drive-by murder of a young bicyclist in South Minneapolis. KSTP reports: "While riding his bike, Mpls. boy shot, killed".

More later as details emerge.

People Not Like Us

2006-10-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

From Duluth, MN, comes this AP story via the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "Man apologizes for courtroom feces".

DULUTH, Minn. - A Chicago man apologized for spreading his feces around a courtroom during his trial on drug charges.

Vandale Amos Willis, 28, apologized Wednesday before being sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. Willis was convicted earlier of importation of a controlled substance, cocaine, and two other charges.

"Im going to take full responsibility for everything I did in Duluth," Willis told the court. "I want to apologize for everything I did in court. Im sorry, your honor."

He asked Judge David Sullivan to put him on probation. Sullivan told Willis his actions wouldn't be held against him, but there was no reason to depart from sentencing guidelines.

I don't know why it is, but sometimes I think criminals are different than most of us.

"Unfounded"

2006-10-06T06:31:00.000-05:00

I posted on the alleged Kenwood Park sexual assault story with a healthy dose of skepticism, and, although I don't get it right every time, my instincts were correct on this one:

"As with many of these cases, unfortunately, that involve young teenage girls, it's prudent to take a wait-and-see approach."

KSTP reports that the story has fallen apart faster than a cheap suit: "Lake of the Isles allegations 'unfounded'"

"This is the classic story of the little boy who cried wolf," said Lt. Greg Reinhardt of the Minneapolis Police of a recent allegation of sexual assault near Lake of the Isles.

Police confirm it was all a lie. A 14-year-old girl who claimed she was raped in Kenwood Park Tuesday night. Police officially classified the case as "unfounded."

The article says the police usually don't charge the filers of false reports, despite all the man-hours wasted, but this girl should at least get some mental health counseling.

And you Kenwood/Lake of the Isles area residents who think you can relax now - don't; this story remains true: "Somali Gang Robbery At Lake Of The Isles, Minneapolis".

Fox 9 Now Reports Greenway Muggings On Their Website

2006-10-05T06:34:00.000-05:00

"It seemed to me its not difficult for him to strike me,” Carol said. “This is something they played out over and over again – taking turns and getting pleasure out of it."

Fox 9 News has now update their website to include the story they broadcast last night about the multiple muggings on the Loring Greenway in Minneapolis. I recommend watching the video which can be accessed with the story: "Muggings on the Greenway".

MINNEAPOLIS -- Linking downtown Minneapolis and the Nicollet Mall to Loring Park, the Greenway is a path, popular with everyday people – and increasingly a favorite stomping ground for professional pickpockets.

Petrified the robbers will target her again, Carol prefers to conceal her identity. She often walk the Greenway from home to work and back.

Tuesday night she stayed late at the office and didn’t think twice about taking her regular route. Only steps from her door, three suspects emerged from the shadows.

“One came from this side, one came from that side and I was surrounded,” Carol said.

She was also outnumbered.

The thugs slapped her so hard, she fell to the ground. They grabbed her purse and disappeared into the darkness.

See my previous post on this matter for commentary.

Minneapolis: Loring Greenway Muggings

2006-10-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

I've seen this story reported nowhere else in the MSM other than Fox 9 News so far. The TV reporter interviewed a female mugging victim who was on her way home from working late and suddenly found herself surrounded by three men (of course there was no suspect description, but application of the Rambix Axiom of MSM Reporting tells us the suspects are more likely than not black males*) in the Loring Greenway, near downtown Minneapolis.

One of the thugs slapped her to the ground and then they robbed the young woman. She was understandably terrified and her confidence in walking the city has been shaken.

Then they interviewed Lt. Mike Fossum of the Minneapolis Police who said this mugging matched the pattern of three previous muggings in the last couple of weeks.

Are we reading about this in the Red Star? I think not.

Even Fox 9's own website doesn't carry the written story as of the time of this writing.

Folks, I've been writing about the escalation of robberies, muggings, and assaults in Uptown, Downtown, University of Minnesota, various parks, nice neighborhoods, and bad neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and now the highly pedestrian trafficked Loring Greenway.

When are Minneapolis city leaders going to stand up once and for all and say enough is enough? It's time to crack down hard on criminal behavior and end the Quagmire in Minneapolis.

*Rambix Axiom of MSM Reporting: If it is obvious that a crime victim was able to see the attacker/criminal(s), yet no suspect description is reported in the MSM, then it is beyond likely that the suspects are black males. If the criminal(s) were white males, that fact would be prominently displayed in the story. The MSM makes every effort to hide negative behavior of protected groups, i.e. black males, while taking glee in reporting negative behavior of non-protected groups, i.e. caucasion males. The alternate name for this theorem is the Rambix Theory of MSM Social Engineering.

ALERT: Girl Sexually Assaulted In Kenwood Park, Minneapolis

2006-10-04T06:11:00.000-05:00

You may recall that yesterday morning I wrote of a Somali gang beating at Euclid Place and Lake of the Isles Parkway. I wrote that "...urban socialists may not know that a Somali gang robbery and assault occurred right in the heart of their natural habitat on September 30th." I linked to a Google map of the location of the assault. At the very top of the map, at the north end of Lake of the Isles, you can see a patch of green, which is Kenwood Park.

And that's where this rape is alleged to have occurred at around 8:00 p.m. Monday.

I'm not making a connection between the Somali gang and the rape; I'm making a connection between serious crimes in that very upscale area. For those not familiar with the area around Lake of the Isles, it is replete with old mansions, multimillion dollar homes, and is, as previously mentioned, the natural habitat of many urban socialists.

That said, the Red Star reports this disturbing story today: "Girl, age 14, assaulted in Minneapolis city park".

A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a stranger Monday night in Kenwood Park, in one of Minneapolis' safest areas, police said.

She had been at the park with a friend and was walking home alone when the man pushed her to the ground and assaulted her about 8 p.m. near the tennis courts, according to the Police Department and park police.

"We consider it a serious event because of the age of the victim," said police spokesman Greg Reinhardt.

As usual, there is no suspect description. UPDATE: KSTP reports a vague suspect description: "A 40-year-old white man with a deep voice." Like all suspect descriptions using race, it's not relevant if not combined with other descriptors. "40 years old" and "white" (or black, or whatever) aren't good enough on their own. In this case, it's surprising that the victim and her friend were unable to give a general build (heavy, thin, etc) or hair length or color, or any of the more obvious features. This is not to criticize the victim, but because there were two girls as "witnesses", it's surprising more details were not given.

The assault involved attempted oral sex, police said, adding that no weapons were used and that there were no verbal threats, police said.

Reinhardt said about 15 minutes elapsed between the time the girl left her friend and when she reached home.

Such an assault is rare in any park, authorities said, adding that Monday's incident is not part of a trend or linked to other cases.

As with many of these cases, unfortunately, that involve young teenage girls, it's prudent to take a wait-and-see approach.

A couple of reported facts in the story caught my attention: It states the girl was pushed to the ground, and "about 15 minutes elapsed between the time the girl left her friend and when she reached home." Is the reporter referring to the non-victim? Did she run to get help? It's not clear why the friend didn't scream for police or run to a nearby house for help.

This also made me take notice: "...no weapons were used and that there were no verbal threats..."

I think that would be unusual in this type of crime, but who knows.

If true, this crime and the gang beating are two more steps into the Minneapolis Quagmire.

Another Day On The Northside: Shootings, Assaults, Rapes

2006-10-04T05:59:00.000-05:00

From the Minneapolis SAFE Unit, an update on recent Quagmire activity for the past week only at the never-ending party we call the Northside:

CCN 06-277424 Squad 431 responded to a PARTY call at 24XX Upton Ave. N. As the squad was arriving they observed a male place an object under a parked vehicle. This party was detained and officer recovered a handgun from under the parked the vehicle. The party was booked for PC WEAP at HCJ.

CCN: MP 06-279476

NATURE: SHOOT

LOCATION: 2XX Broadway Ave. N.

TIME: 0125 hrs September 28, 2006

DESCRIPTION: The victim was inside the bar at above location, when he was shot. The victim was being transported to HCMC when a 1st PCT squad stopped the vehicle. Officer escorted the victim to HCMC.

Officer Jackson, Squad 494 was called to a CSCR in which the victim stated she was at the bus stop at Lowry and Penn when the suspect (whom the victim does not know) pulled up and at gunpoint, demanded the victim get into his vehicle.

Suspect drove victim to area of XXXXXXXX where victim was raped. Victim walked home where she then called police. Officer Jackson and the victim went back to XXXXXXX and Officer Jackson was able to locate the crime scene along with evidence. Car 21 called to the scene to collect evidence and photograph.

06-280,475

0200 hours

STABBING

16th Av N/Queen Av N

Squads were sent to 15XX Queen on an unknown trouble where female is driving her car up on caller’s lawn. An able officer arrives and finds one male laying in the street with a female standing over him. The female tells the officer the male has been stabbed and needs an ambulance. Male victim is transported to North where he dies from his injuries. Female is arrested for the assault of the victim.

06-280,456

Burglary of Business

26XX W Broadway Av

Biz alarm is aired on above business and further information is given that this business had been broken into several times in the past few days. Arriving officers find one broken window with entry likely made. K-9 searches with negative results. Owner arrives and security video is viewed. Suspect information is developed.

06-280,475

Stabbing

NATURE: SHOOT

LOCATION: Broadway Ave. W. & EB I94 entrance ramp

TIME: 0322 hrs September 30, 2006

DESCRIPTION: Squad 425 was dispatched to SHOTS and recovered evidence at scene. It should be noted that when evidence was recovered there were no shooting victims.

While squad 425 property inventoried the evidence, NMMC called and reported two shooting victims show up at the ER. NMMC staff did not call police for 40 minutes after the victims’ arrived at the ER.

The victims were intoxicated and did not appear to have been in the same vehicle at time of the incident.

CCN 06-281734 Squad 463, Officers Carter & Infante, stopped a SUSPV at 26/Penn and a party fled on foot. Officers gave chase and apprehended party. During the foot pursuit the AP dropped a handgun, which was recovered by officers. The AP was booked at HCJ for PC WEAP.

CCN 06-281693 Squad 421, Officers Boyd & Walker, observed smoke coming from the top floor of the apartment building located at 20XX W. Broadway Ave. Officers called for MFD and entered the building to evacuate the occupants. Officers forced entry into one apartment to ensure the occupants had exited. Officers had to retreat because of the heavy smoke. The officers drove themselves to HCMC to be checked out by medical personnel as a precaution.

52XX Bryant Ave N

DASLT2

15 and 16 year old brothers were involved in an argument. One brother swung a 2x4 at the other brother who then went and got a knife. The victim brother received a small cut to his lower leg and was taken to North Memorial. The suspect brother was GOA.

CCN 06-283617 Squad 959, Officer Bennett, observed a group robbing male at 30th Ave. N. & Dupont Ave. N. and stopped the vehicle the group got into. The victim was brought to the stop location and identified all 4 parties. The 4 APs were booked at HCJ for PC ROBPER. The vehicle was towed.

06-283867

41 Av N/Colfax N to Dupont N

DOA

10/02/2006@1204 hrs.

Officers in squad 8429 were flagged down by a citizen who reported observing one down on 41 Av N, Colfax N to Dupont N. Officers arrived and found a black male who was DOA. Cause of death unknown at this time.

06-284102 1706 hours

24XX Fremont Ave N

A victim of a shooting showed up at this address. The victim had non life threatening injury and was transported to North Memorial by ambulance. The victim and witness gave three different locations where this may have occurred. All locations were checked with negative results for a crime scene. There was no consistent information on the suspect in this case. Car 710 was advised.

06-284134 1740 hours

GVR and Penn

A victim of a shooting showed up at North Memorial Hospital. The victim had non life threatening injury. The victim stated he was walking at the intersection of GVR and Penn when he heard gunshots fired. He felt he had been hit and then ran to his cousin’s house where he was then brought to the hospital. Officers checked the area for a crime scene and or witnesses.

SHOOT

Officer Creighton, Sgt Mosey, and Officer Adams responded to a shooting at 14XX Russell. One victim was found shot in the hip. He was very uncooperative and wanted to go to the hospital. Officer Adams spoke with a witness who stated that a black male on a bike with a black shirt rode away on a bike from the shooting call with a gun in his hand. The victim did not have a shirt on and stated that he was on his bike when he was shot at. Officers checked the area for a gun possibly belonging to our victim. When the victim stood up for the medical personnel a baggie of crack fell from his person. A few moments later a gun and a black shirt were recovered from a window well of the house next to where he was found. He was escorted to the hospital and held in custody for a couple of hours until he was discharged. The victim/suspect was then taken to HCJ and booked for PC Weapons and PC Narcotics.

Somali Gang Robbery At Lake Of The Isles, Minneapolis

2006-10-03T06:02:00.000-05:00

There are those, mostly liberal multiculturalist socialists, who will tell you that Somali gangs are not a problem in Minneapolis. The evidence may show otherwise, as I have documented numerous attacks and robberies by groups of Somali males since the inception of this blog.

If you don't believe documentation of actual news stories (the vast majority of my posts are based on actual news stories), then you might be interested to note that the issue has been debated at a very local level as well, as shown in this community newspaper article: "Somali Gangs: Fact or Fiction?".

Obviously no one is proposing that most Somalis are criminals. Many Somalis I have met are kind, wonderful people. That doesn't mean there isn't a potential problem within that "community".

That said, on to business.

Since the MSM won't report such things, urban socialists may not know that a Somali gang robbery and assault occurred right in the heart of their natural habitat on September 30th. The Minneapolis SAFE Unit reports that the attack happened right next to very upscale Lake of the Isles, at Euclid Place and Lake of the Isles Parkway:

Oct 2, 2006 4:24 PM

Facts:

At approximately 3:20am on September 30th a robbery of person occurred at the intersection of Euclid Place and Lake of the Isles PKWY. Suspects approached the victim and struck him on the head after following him on walk around Lake of the Isles. They demanded cash, ID and credit cards.

Suspect information:

The suspects were described as four Somali males between 17-20 years old. One suspect was wearing a white t-shirt and baggy pants. The other three wore black t-shirts and baggy pants.

You won't see that in the Red Star.

Will the urban socialists and their water carriers in the MSM take notice when violent crime appears on their doorsteps?

Violent Crime Surges At University Of Minnesota

2006-10-02T21:40:00.000-05:00

Fox 9 News has reported on the staggering increase of assaults and violent crime at or near the University of Minnesota. According to Fox 9, assaults were up 113% in August, and 32% in September.

Is it reasonable to assume that even a 1% increase is unacceptable?

Heather Mueller of the Minnesota Daily interviewed University of Minnesota president Bruininks regarding the violence: "Bruininks talks crime, stadium".

With double the number of assaults this year compared to last, what would you say to students who fear that walking in groups on well-lit streets isn't enough to ward off robberies or assaults?

This issue has come up rather suddenly, but I think it's a very serious issue for the University of Minnesota and our students.

I have taken up this issue with Vice President (Kathy) O'Brien and Chief (Greg) Hestnessvof the UMPD and they are meeting regularly with the Minneapolis police force to strengthen the coordination of our efforts on behalf of our students and on behalf of creating a much safer environment in and around the University of Minnesota.

Secondly, we are going to … steadily increase the size of our own police force and our own security; we're improving lighting in important areas on campus.

I think the other thing I would say is that I think we live in a relatively safe environment and what's alarming is to see these rates go up.

We need to meet with the neighborhoods relatively soon and the neighborhood leaders to see what we can do collectively.

We understand we have to work hard to increase the safety and the comfort level of our staff and students. You can't study well and you can't learn well if you're not in a healthy and safe environment. I want to indicate we have a pretty aggressive action agenda, including thinking about how the University can be more engaged and developed.

I want to add I think it's very important that students use good judgment, and when they do travel late at night they do seek safe ways to travel.

Is the University's administration monitoring the progress of the assault investigations?

Yes, we are. The Office of General Counsel, the University police department works collaboratively with the Hennepin County Prosecutors office (and other agencies).

How about referring them to Andrew Rothman, who just put on a self-defense display at the university?

And how is that collaboration with the Hennepin County prosecutor's office going?

The University of Minnesota has been sucked into the Minneapolis Quagmire - who will accept responsibility, and who will lead the fight against the enemy?

Violent Crime Moves To Duluth

2006-10-02T06:25:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure why they're reporting so late in 2006, but the Duluth Police advise that violent crime in the city rose soared from 2004 to 2005, as the Red Star reports: "Violent crime rose 32% in Duluth in 2005".

DULUTH - Reports of violent crime in Duluth increased 32 percent from 2004 to 2005, according to the Duluth Police Department.

Crime overall went up as well, a 20 percent increase during that same period. Authorities blame the rise on a decrease in community policing efforts and an influx of drug dealers from outside the city.

In 2004 there were 423 drug crimes reported in Duluth. That number more than doubled in 2005, to 920.

"We have seen a large increase of drug dealers coming into the community," said Roger Waller, who retired from his post as police chief over the weekend. "We've seen an increase from small-time dealers to high-level, big-time dealers."

Not a pretty picture, that.

I think this trend mirrors what is happening in the Twin Cities metro area - drug dealers and other criminals moving in from elsewhere. The question, of course, is: why?

It's hard to believe that the MSM, particularly the Red Star, doesn't have the resources, desire, or curiosity to investigate and track the path the criminal element takes to get to Minneapolis and Minnesota as a whole. Wouldn't it be helpful to know where they come from, why they're here, and what keeps them here? How can we fight the problems if we don't understand the enemy?

The Red Star and other leftist media often accuse the president as being uninformed and incurious, but what could be a greater example of uninformed incuriosity than the MSM's non-investigation of Minnesota's criminal pipeline?

Crime and Punishment in Hennepin County

2006-10-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

Here are some recent Hennepin County sentences (listed here as time served in jail after sentencing, according to the source) from anonymous who has done some yeoman's research. I have no reason to believe the source is unreliable, but I can't guarantee the accuracy, so I'm omitting the last names. The information is in the public domain:

Sex Crimes
Reginald 1st Degree Crim Sex 1 ½ mo
Curtis Fel. 3rd Degree Crim Sex 3 ½ mo
Melvin 5th Degree Crim Sex 1 day
Gary 1st Degree Crim Sex 8 mo
Donald Poss of Child Porn 4 days
Ishmel 3rd Degree Crim Sex 5 wks
Christopher 1st Degree Crim Sex 4 mo
Terry 4th Degree Crim Sex 5 wks
Darrell 3rd Degree Crim Sex 3mo
Robbie Poss of Child Porn 2 wks
Steven Fel Crim Sex 3 mo
Brian 3rd Degree Crim Sex 3 mo
Scott 2nd Degree Crim Sex 3 ½ mo
Paul Felon in Poss. Of Porn (Minors) 4 mo Home Monitoring
First Degree Burglary
Csauba 3mo
Wayne 6 mo
Ray 6 mo
James 3 mo
Leonard 2 days
Charles 4 mo
Brandon 1 mo
Violent Crimes
Ryan Felony Drive By Shooting 3 mo
Brian Felony Terroristic Threats 3 wks
A Felony Terroristic Threats 1 mo
Dana 1st Degree Aggr. Robbery 3 mo
Rahmiah 1st Degree Aggr. Robbery 3 wks
Robert 1st Degree Aggr. Robbery 4 mo
Glen Felony Theft from Person 1 wk
James Dom. Assault w/ strangulation 3 wks
Richard Dom. Assault w/ strangulation 4 days
Max Dom. Assault w/ strangulation 1 mo
Sean Dom. Assault w/ strangulation 2 mo
Miscellaneous/ Weapons
Chris GM Rifle/ Shotgun in Public 1 mo
Todd Violation of Restr. Order 2 days
Lamar Fleeing a Police Officer 9 days
Angk. Weapon w/o a permit 3 mo
Elmer Weapon w/o a permit 1 mo
Tarryten 3rd Degree Drug Sale 1 wk

And this:

Jeremy on 7-30-04 had a possession of a weapon w/o a permit, stole a car on 9-9-04, then arrested on 5-27-05 for attempted 1 st Degree Murder, convicted and sentenced to a year. Is at the workhouse, and actually is eligible for Work Release after 90 days.

(H/T Anonymous)

Life In North Minneapolis

2006-10-01T07:09:00.000-05:00

They live like liberals and vote like conservatives, but the living part is in North Minneapolis, and this means exposure to more than your average amount of crime. Margaret Martin and David Strom (soon to be back on The Patriot), have suffered their share of slings and arrows crimewise, yet they remain steadfast and ensconced in the their Northside home.

Margaret frequently writes about neighborhood happenings on their blog, Our House, giving insights on the personal impact of crime. She stikes me as being the neighbor you'd want to have if you went out of town and had to leave your house alone.

Her latest piece involves just such a situation, which ended with a bad result: the burglary of her neighbor's house (and a house close by that exploded, for good measure).

I recommend reading the story for a first-hand account of life in a high, or relatively high, crime area.

I give them credit for hanging tough; I jumped ship in Southwest Minneapolis for much less reason.

Minneapolis: Gun to The Head - Raped

2006-09-30T09:10:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Quagmire continues with this report of the gunpoint rape of a woman on the Northside. There are two suspects, and, as usual, no descriptions. The Red Star reports: "Minneapolis woman raped at gunpoint".

Police are investigating the rape of a woman who reported she was forced into a car at gunpoint Thursday night in north Minneapolis and taken to a Mississippi River boat launch.

Lt. Greg Reinhardt said that it appears the 28-year-old Minneapolis woman, who was left by the boat launch on the edge of the Camden neighborhood, did not know the two suspects.

Stranger rape is serious business. If these rats aren't stopped now, then there is no reason why they won't do this again.

With rape being such an intimate crime, I'm mystified why there aren't good suspect descriptions. I suspect the police have more information they aren't releasing, but I've never understood how withholding suspect information can help an investigation.

Welcome to the Quagmire.

Minneapolis 2nd Precinct Lowlights

2006-09-29T23:26:00.000-05:00

From the Minneapolis Police:

For Week ending 9/20

ROBPER @ 24th Av /Central. Victim was waiting at the bus stop, and was thrown to the ground and punched by seven black male suspects. Suspects fled on foot.

14xx 5th St NE ASLT2 - Uncooperative Victim at a party was shot in the hand and pistol whipped. Party-goers/Witnesses and Suspect(s) left before Squads arrived. Victim to HCMC with minor GSW.

For Week ending 9/27

06-274,823 At 0839 hours, a Robbery of Business, 10xx Washington Av SE. An employee was making a money run/deposit in her personal vehicle, when she was robbed by two suspects at gunpoint at University Av SE/25th Av SE. Two black male suspects fled in an older white conversion type of van, unk plate, last seen EB on University Av SE. Loss was a cash bag containing $3,500.

06-274093 9-22-06 1815 hrs. Squad responded to a medic call at 6xx Adams St NE grandma fell and cut her head open. Officers recognize the grandson who is wanted by Coon Rapids PD on a PC pickup for Felony damage to prop and Assault. Officer’s id 3 other party’s in the basement; officers see drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics in plain view. 2nd PCT DP responded and a search warrant was obtained. Officers recovered a nice quantity of suspected crystal meth from a safe. Suspect had surveillance cameras outside and monitors in his basement bedroom which were disconnected. Nice job by Uniform Officers and DP.

This is a partial list.

Minneapolis SWAT Drug Raid

2006-09-29T22:55:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis SWAT Team puts the smack-down on some lowlife drug dealers. Multiple shots were fired by the residents of the house in the 3400 block of Stevens Avenue South despite the fact that several children were present.

If you were Amy Klobuchar, what would you do with these rats? If you're a Minneapolis resident, what do you think she will do?

This notice is from the Minneapolis Police SAFE Units:

Minneapolis SWAT team recovers weapon,
drugs during high-risk raid

Suspect fires shots while officers execute search warrant

September 29, 2006 (MINNEAPOLIS) Late last night, Minneapolis police officers executed a drug search warrant in the 3400 block of Stevens Avenue South. As SWAT officers breached the door, the officers heard multiple gunshots fired within the dwelling. Officers entered, secured the dwelling, and discovered three young children, who were unharmed.

Officers arrested four adults, and a handgun, which had been fired by one of the suspects, was recovered along with a quantity of suspected narcotics. Those arrested were:

Mario M. Andrews, 23, of Brooklyn Center, for Probable Cause Weapons Violation, Assault upon a Police Officer (ASLT4), and an outstanding warrant.

Norris D. Andrews, 21, of Minneapolis, for Probable Cause Narcotics Violation

Debbie Underwood, 21, of Minneapolis for Disorderly House

Seleina L. Underwood, 40, of Minneapolis for Disorderly House

Photographs of the arrested persons will be available after formal charging. The case will be submitted for review, and additional charges may be considered.

Background on SWAT team

High-risk entries are among the most dangerous situations police officers face. Each SWAT officer is required to complete countless hours of training and practice to minimize risk for all those involved in such dangerous situations. Each year, the MPD SWAT Unit executes more than 300 high-risk entries. Every such situation carries tremendous risk to the officers involved and other individuals at the scene, and yesterday’s raid is an example of how exceptional training and preparation can pay off.

Minneapolis: Stabbed To Death

2006-09-29T22:43:00.000-05:00

(h/t KvM)

When a woman stabs a man, then kneels by his side until the cops get there, I'm thinking crime of passion. Whatever the case, Minneapolis murder #47 is on the books: "Minneapolis man stabbed to death".

Police say a north Minneapolis man was murdered early Friday morning near the intersection of 16th and Queen Ave.

Minneapolis police were dispatched to 1529 Queen Ave. N. after they were told a female had driven a car onto the lawn around 2:00 a.m. Friday.

When officers arrived they saw a man lying in the street and a woman kneeling next to him. The male, a 36-year old from Minneapolis, had been stabbed to death.

He was transported to North Memorial via ambulance, where he died a short time later.

Melissa J. Jones, 35, was arrested at the scene in connection with this homicide.

[Graphic courtesy KSTP News]

Taking Notice Of The Quagmire

2006-09-29T08:15:00.000-05:00

University of Minnesota students take notice as the school falls into the Minneapolis Quagmire. A letter writer to the Minnesota Daily:

Sick of crime

My favorite part of every day is waking up and reading the Daily at breakfast before I go to class. Today, however, it was not a good idea to read the paper as I ate. I quickly learned that in the past week there have been two more attacks on students very near campus. The attacks have gone beyond beatings on the street to armed robberies and hate crimes. I was literally sickened that two men were gay-bashed a few blocks from campus.

The University has a reputation for being open and progressive, but attacks like these make minority students fear for their safety. It seems that every day, students open the Daily and read about yet more attacks on students on or near campus with no apparent effort at curbing the rise in violent crimes.

Every article is accompanied with "an investigator has been assigned to the case," but I have yet to hear of anyone being caught or any active effort being put forth by the police. I'm sick of it. Something needs to be done around here soon.

Adam Hennings
University undergraduate

Then make sure you don't read this account, Mr. Hennings: ALERT: Univ. of Minnesota Student Robbed By Armed Criminal Gang

or this:

More University Of Minnesota Assaults & Remedy

or this:

More On The University Of Minnesota Assault

or this:

Criminals Gangs Terrorize University Of Minnesota

or this:

More Reporting On University Of Minnesota Violence

or this:

Robberies Up 100% On University Of Minnesota Campus

& more, on Rambix and the Red Star.

University Of Minnesota Crime Victims

2006-09-28T23:12:00.000-05:00

Sometimes written descriptions of crime victims aren't sufficient. Thanks to Andrew Rothman for some visual impact (click photo to enlarge):

ALERT: Univ. of Minnesota Student Robbed By Armed Criminal Gang

2006-09-28T06:30:00.000-05:00

"pretty well orchestrated, like they'd done it before,"...

The ink was barely dry on this posting when this story broke out in the Minnesota Daily: "Group robs U student at gunpoint".

A University student stared down the barrel of a gun early Tuesday.

James Bourque, a political science junior, left home on Sixth Street Southeast in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood about 1 a.m. when a group of men approached him, he said.

One of them asked Bourque whether he wanted to buy the drug Ecstasy, he said. Bourque said he turned to walk away and one of the men punched him in the face.

"I fell to one knee," he said, "And when I turned around, there was a gun in my face."

The group demanded money from Bourque and after he gave them the $60 in his wallet, they told him to run away, according to the police report.

No description of the scumbags?

God bless University Police Chief Hestness, but just yesterday, in response to Andrew Rothman's self-defense display at the University, he said that "there's been no change in a need to further defend yourself", in reference to guns (Video).

Do you think he's had a change of heart?

Bourque left the group and avoided any more harm than a bruise from the punch, he said.

Minneapolis Police Lt. Greg Reinhardt said an investigator was being assigned to the case. It is too early to determine whether the attack was related to other crimes in the area, he said.

Bourque said the attack was "pretty well orchestrated, like they'd done it before," and not just a random incident.

Does anyone sense there's a problem in Minneapolis?

The MSM is no help, of course. You won't see this story in the Red Star anytime soon. And (again) why no description of the scumbags?

Minneapolis: Gun To The Head

2006-09-27T20:43:00.000-05:00

It doesn't matter if you're a newspaper carrier, a Qwest employee, a pizza delivery man, or just an average citizen - when you cross the border into Minneapolis you're fair game for hardened criminal thugs.

Not even a mother and her baby are safe, as WCCO News reports (hat tip Rebecca): "North Mpls. Mother Saves Daughter From Carjacker".

(WCCO) Minneapolis A Minnesota mom is grateful her baby is safe after a carjacker pointed a gun at her head and demanded her car.

It just doesn't get much colder than this. What breed of criminal commits armed robbery, and points his gun at the head of a mother when she's with her baby?

Joy, who asked her last name not be used, said when the carjacker confronted her in her North Minneapolis driveway she said, "Take anything you want, I just need my daughter."

Joy said she had just arrived home when the confrontation happened.

"When I went to open my car door, there was a man there with a gun right in my face saying he wanted to take my car," said Joy, who is not sure how she persuaded the carjacker to let her retrieve her 1-year-old daughter Cameron.

"I don't even remember worrying about the gun at that point, it was just, I just needed to get around this person to get my baby out of car and just get her away from this," she said

Joy got her baby and the gunmen got her car. It was the fourth carjacking in the area in less than a week.

What I find disturbing is that this is the 4th carjacking in the area in less than a week. Where was the news after the first carjacking? Why wait for four?

Fortunately, the sewer rats were caught. And take note of the 2nd paragraph below, Mr. Rybak:

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, police spotted Joy's car with three young men inside. They were arrested and are now considered possible suspects in the other recent carjackings.

Arrests help, but neighborhood leaders like Minneapolis City Council member Barb Johnson worry young couples like Joy and her husband Jim will leave the area.

"It's a place that people can afford to live, we have lovely housing stock and we feel powerless, at times, to prevent this kind of activity," said Johnson.

Common Sense Comes to the "U" [Update]

2006-09-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Rambix reader and commenter and gun trainer, Andrew Rothman, is featured in this KARE 11 News story for his campus safety event today: "U of M Ban on weapons being challenged by petition".

Students on the ground level of the Coffman Union Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota were invited Wednesday to sign a petition to end the ban on weapons policy at the university.

Andrew Rothman stood guard at the table where students could sign their names to support the effort to allow weapons on campus.

"We would like the administration to hear what we're saying, but even if we got 40,000 signatures, the administration could still say no," said Rothman.

But not all students agree with Rothman. Freshman student, Danielle Schuler, said, "it will provoke more violence if you have something on you and you get upset with someone, you'll have it available to use it."

Speaking on behalf of the administration, University Police Chief Gregory Hestness said, "On campus per se which is what the regents policy regulates, there's been no change in a need to further defend yourself."

Crime, including aggravated assaults, robberies and burglaries are on the increase on campus. In 2005, there were 28 burglaries. At the end of September 2006 there have already been 35 burglaries.

Chief Hestness agrees there should be more anti-crime awareness efforts, and said part of the solution will include hiring more officers to police the campus area.

Nice job, Andrew, and congratulations on getting some media exposure.

You can contact Andrew regarding gun training here.

[photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

UPDATE: Thanks to Andrew Rothman, here's a copy of the petition:

PETITION

We, the undersigned students, staff, faculty and alumni of the University of Minnesota urge President Bruininks and the Board of Regents to abolish University policies that endanger all members of the University community.

Violence is exploding on and around the University. Gangs of thugs are attacking and viciously beating our fellow University community members. There are over 1,000 University students for every University police officer. The promise to add two officers per year is clearly insufficient.

In spite of these facts, and in spite of the clear evidence, presented by the FBI, that the single best way to defend against violent crime is to resist with a firearm, the University specifically bans students, staff and faculty from carrying these effective tools on campus, even when they have secured the necessary training, background checks and permit required by law.

For the thousands of us who walk, bike or bus to campus, these policies also endanger us as we come and go from campus through some of the worst neighborhoods in the city.

Minnesota permit holders are overwhelmingly law abiding, are 21 years of age or older, have been thoroughly trained and investigated, and have been found by their county sheriffs to have clean criminal, drug and mental health histories.

Recent experience clearly shows that the ban on legal carry does not keep the criminals away from us, but it does keep us helpless against them.

We strongly urge the University to end these dangerous and immoral restrictions on self-defense.

Signed,

The Thug Life In Hennepin County, MN

2006-09-27T06:08:00.000-05:00

Life as a criminal in Hennepin County, MN isn't all that bad. I've previously posted Minneapolis Police Requests for Community Impact Statements, where the justice system is soliciting ideas as to what the general public would like done with a criminal who has been arrested 50, 96, or 110 times.

As if they have to ask.

There appears to be no shortage of examples of thugs and criminals who roam free on our streets with rap sheets as long as your arm. Or longer. This is what happens when consequences are not sure, swift, and tough.

Today brings another example of a 24 year old thug who is well on his way to becoming a career criminal, and has amassed an impressive array of convictions in the few years that he has been an adult. KSTP News reports: "Police find suspect hiding in North Memorial".

A background check in Hennepin County shows that Alondre Ramone Davis has been charged with 18 different crimes over the past few years, including six felonies for crimes such as theft, forgery, assault, and drugs.

Here's his latest episode:

According to criminal charges filed in Hennepin County, Alondre Ramone Davis, 24, was spotted by police on Northway Drive in Brooklyn Center handing small packages back and forth out of a car. A police officer in a vehicle attempted to stop the car, but the man jumped in the car and fled police...The officer chased the vehicle onto Highway 100 where the vehicle being chased reached speeds of 80 miles per hour...the driver allegedly threw a small bag containing what appeared to be bag of white substance out the window...

Officers eventually found Davis hiding behind a curtain in a hospital room with three cell phones and $780 in cash.

Here's a question: How can one commit all these crimes if one is in jail? The answer, of course, is you can't. You can only commit them when you're out of jail.

And here's the obvious follow-up question: Why has young Mr. Davis had so much time out of jail to allow him to accumulate such a record at such a young age (we don't even know what his juvenile record is; it's likely his thug career didn't start when he turned 18.)?

Are the inmates running the asylum in Hennepin County? What happened to the concept of consequences sufficient to deter future criminal behavior, or, at the very least, keeping repeat criminals off the streets so they can't continue their lawlessness?

Here's the known record from Hennepin County (these are just the convictions):

Davis, Alondre Ramone -- Black Male, Born: 12/04/1981

All Reported Dates of Birth12/04/1981
All Known Aliases/Alternate SpellingsDavis, Alonde Ramone
Simth, Lawrence Milton
Smith, Lawrence Milton
Davis, Alan Ray
Davis, Alondre Romone
Smith, Alan
Davis, Alondre Ramone

Convictions and SentencingConviction Number: 001
Case Number: 00007544
Court File Number: KX00046384
Disposition Date: 12/21/2000
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Degree
Statute Number: 152.023
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $0
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence:
Probation Sentence:
Conditional Confinement: 12 Days
Conviction Level:

Conviction Number: 002
Case Number: 00012727
Court File Number: KX00067985
Disposition Date: 12/21/2000
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Center Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense: Aid/Abet
Statute Description: Theft
Statute Number: 609.52.2
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $0
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 13 Days
Probation Sentence:
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Misdemeanor

Conviction Number: 003
Case Number: 00053360
Court File Number: 00117900
Disposition Date: 01/22/2001
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency:
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Give Peace Officer False Name
Statute Number: 609.506
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $200
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $25
Pronounced Sentence: 30 Days
Probation Sentence: 1 Years
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Misdemeanor

Conviction Number: 004
Case Number: 00007544
Court File Number: KX00046384
Disposition Date: 06/03/2002
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Degree
Statute Number: 152.023
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 21 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 12 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 005
Case Number: 02009247
Court File Number: KX02043695
Disposition Date: 09/30/2002
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Center Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Theft
Statute Number: 609.52
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $500
Stayed Fine: $450
Court Cost Amount: $3
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $35
Pronounced Sentence: 90 Days
Probation Sentence: 1 Years
Conditional Confinement: 60 Days
Conviction Level: Misdemeanor

Conviction Number: 006
Case Number: 00007544
Court File Number: KX00046384
Disposition Date: 03/05/2003
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Degree
Statute Number: 152.023
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 21 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 3 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 007
Case Number: 00007544
Court File Number: KX00046384
Disposition Date: 09/24/2003
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Degree
Statute Number: 152.023
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 21 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 158 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 008
Case Number: 03051813
Court File Number: 03073912
Disposition Date: 10/29/2003
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency:
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Domestic Assault-Misdemeanor
Statute Number: 609.2242.1
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $0
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 90 Days
Probation Sentence: 2 Years
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Misdemeanor

Conviction Number: 009
Case Number: 04041845
Court File Number: KX04051519
Disposition Date: 12/02/2004
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Park Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-5th Degree
Statute Number: 152.025
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 13 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 180 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 010
Case Number: 04018890
Court File Number: KX04061642
Disposition Date: 12/02/2004
Controlling Agency: Brooklyn Center Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Possess or Sell Stolen or Counterfeit Check
Statute Number: 609.528.2
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 15 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 180 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Hamline University Crime Alert

2006-09-26T20:50:00.000-05:00

Hamline and Macalester Colleges, both located in St. Paul suffered a withering series of armed robberies earlier this spring. A recent crime alert reminds us the danger has not passed [Delay in posting due to apparent technical problems with the University's Safety & Security site]:

HAMLINE UNIVERSITY
SAFETY AND SECURITY
CAMPUS SAFETY ALERT – September 16, 2006
Critical / Major Incident

I would like to inform you about a robbery that occurred off campus September 15, 2006 at approximately 11:55 PM. Two off-campus CLA students were walking south on Holton toward Minnehaha Avenue when they were approached from behind by one suspect. The suspect pointed a hand gun at the victims and demanded the victims’ property. The students were not physically injured.

The suspect description is as follows: African American male, 5’7” wearing dark jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up.

I have contacted the Saint Paul police and asked them to increase their patrols in our near campus area during the night and early morning hours. These patrols are now in effect. Please call Safety and Security immediately if you see suspicious activity on or near campus. 24 hour dispatch 651-523-2100. From a campus phone dial 2100.

Stay Safe At The University Of Minnesota

2006-09-26T20:42:00.000-05:00

ANNOUNCEMENT

From frequent Rambix contributor and expert on armed self-defense, Andrew Rothman:

Special Event
Wednesday, September 27
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union
University of Minnesota

With the recent increase of violent crimes at and near the University of Minnesota, many members of that community are wondering what they can do to stay safe. "Scream for help," the University Police Department's advice, is clearly not sufficient.

To help educate students, staff and faculty, the University of Minnesota College Republicans will be teaming up at Coffman Memorial Union with MADFI director and certified firearm safety instructor Andrew Rothman and other advocates to present the facts on campus safety.

At the event, to be held Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. inside the entrance to the student union, University community members will have the opportunity to learn about the Minnesota permit to carry law, as well the University policies that endanger students, staff and faculty by forbidding them from carrying the most effective personal safety tools.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sign a petition calling on President Bruininks and the Board of Regents to abolish these dangerous unconstitutional rules to the University regents who control the policies, and to register for personal protection classes to be held near campus.

Help For A Friend

2006-09-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

I'll take a brief departure from Minneapolis rapes, robbery, murder, and general mayhem to help a friend of valued Rambix contributor/commenter Margaret Martin put out the alert for some stolen property: "Two little victims of crime in North Minneapolis".

Thanks for your consideration.

And Don't Come Back

2006-09-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

Illegal alien Francisco Serrano, a cause celebre of the socialist left, is finally getting the boot out of this great country.

And good riddance.

I've previously written about Mr. Serrano here and in other posts, following his sordid tale from being the ever-so-adorable young lad discovered living in Apple Valley (MN) High School, to his being taken in and supported by local real estate developer Basim Sabri (subsequently sent to prison on corruption charges), to his butcher-knife armed home invasion in Boston.

Well, now the Red Star reports he's finally on track to getting what he should have gotten long ago: thrown out of the country (and don't come back): "Apple Valley school squatter admits guilt in Boston break-in".

The twisting tale of Francisco Serrano -- the Apple Valley High School squatter turned Boston home invader -- appears to again be nearing its American end.
Serrano pleaded guilty in Boston Municipal Court Monday to breaking into a Boston apartment March 29, setting the stage for his release shortly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials -- and potential deportation.

Judge Raymond Dougan, Jr., sentenced the 22-year-old Serrano to a one-year jail term, but required him to serve only six months, or the time he already had spent awaiting trial, thus likely speeding Serrano's release to federal custody.

He's not been one to follow rules:

After being ordered out of the United States, Serrano was supposed to have gotten on a plane in the Twin Cities to Mexico earlier this year, but it was learned later that he never boarded the flight. Then came news that he had broken into the Boston apartment and threatened its occupants with knives.

America doesn't ask a lot of immigrants. If you come here legally, humbly, and ready to work, then treasure surely awaits you. (Heck, if you come to Minnesota you won't even have to work). But if you come here scornful and dismissive of our laws, then you will face consequences, as Mr. Serrano has discovered the hard way.

If the authorities have any sense, they'll give him a one-way ticket to Guadalajara where he can spend many years reflecting on his myriad and squandered opportunities in America.

A Victim's Pain

2006-09-25T06:27:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while I get an email which reminds me that each crime has many victims. This message, sent earlier today, follows this posting. One of the suspects remains on the loose.

I am really glad that Shedrick Turner's murder is still in the media and is not forgotten. My name is Nia C[abbreviated for privacy] and I know this young man as "Cub". I've been dating him since 1999. When he moved to Minneapolis and I agreed to eventually follow, I never thought on February 10, 2006 at around 1:30 p.m., that my heart would be shattered in a milllon pieces. He has been gone now seven months, 15 days. I still hurts exactly the same. I'm just glad his death did not slip through the cracks on them cold streets he died on because he was truly loved and will always be truly missed. R.I.P. Cub!!

Nia, I hope for your sake that all of the criminals involved in this murder are brought to justice, and soon.

Gangs: Not Just For Big Cities Anymore

2006-09-24T07:55:00.000-05:00

One of the themes frequently explored on Rambix and the Red Star is the proliferation of gangs in the Twin Cities suburbs and outlying areas. St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Ruben Rosario, whose heart often bleeds for misunderstood criminals, writes about the gang presence in Northfield, MN, location of local liberal-magnet and former home of the late Paul Wellstone, Carleton College (h/t Rambix reader Indy R): "Northfield: cows, colleges — and gangs".

Gangs in Northfield? Gangs and the lure of gangs are everywhere — metro, suburban and rural areas. Some even have their own Web sites...

The city of 18,000-plus is attractive for several reasons. Like St. Paul in the 1920s, Northfield serves as an accessible haven of sorts for gang members fleeing from cops in the Twin Cities area. Smith notes they have also identified gang members from Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee and Detroit.

"It has largely been a homogenous population, but in recent years it has become diverse enough for people to come here and sort of blend in and hide,'' Smith of his community.

The most active ethnic gangs in Rice County are the Norteños and Sureños, rivals and offshoots of mostly Chicano and Mexican prison gangs established decades ago in California and the Southwest.

This immediately begs the question: how many are illegals? At least some, according to Rosario:

If the townsfolk and their elected leaders were asleep at the switch or ignorant of this issue, they got an undeniable wakeup call two years ago. A nationwide sweep targeting members of the notorious MS-13 gang bagged 24 here in Minnesota. Eleven of them, Smith pointed out at the meeting, came from the Northfield area. Those who were undocumented residents were ultimately deported.

This would be an obvious arguement for proactively deporting illegal aliens, but most Republican leaders are too cowardly to go there. Yes, I know, many illegals are good, hardworking people, but I place a higher value on the rule of law and protecting U.S. citizens from the likes of MS-13 and the Surenos.

The Norteños, or Northerners, are based mostly in Faribault, a slightly larger city in Rice County that has had a more entrenched gang threat in recent years, according to Angela Brewer, a veteran Rice County probation officer. The Sureños are increasingly making Northfield a home base.

The rivalry has led to several assaults and other violent confrontations in recent months, most of them involving juvenile members. Brewer noted that gang "tagging" — painting gang signs or symbols on commercial and residential properties — is on the increase in both cities.

And what do all the Northfield liberals think about this?

Those in attendance at the gang seminar were mostly members of the city's mentoring council, which recruits adults and students from nearby St. Olaf College to serve as mentors for "at-risk'' youths.

"We don't call them that,'' said Linda Otto, who directs a mentoring program in the city. "We call them 'at the brink of success.' ''

Fool.

Such liberal-speak will get you nowhere. The answer, of course, is crushing them mercilessly and tolerating zero gang activity.

More University Of Minnesota Assaults & Remedy

2006-09-22T23:21:00.000-05:00

The Minnesota Daily reports yet more violence near campus: "More campus-area assaults, robberies reported to police".

A would-be Good Samaritan ended up in the emergency room with a concussion early Sunday.

Art sophomore Evan Prokop said he and his friends were walking through Dinkytown about 2:30 a.m., heading back to his apartment, when they encountered a woman being harassed by four men.

"She was yelling at them to get away," Prokop said. "We went over there to see if everything was OK."

When Prokop and his friends approached the group, an unknown man started punching one of Prokop's friends.

"I got in between to break it up and got knocked out," Prokop said...

One of the attackers then started punching and kicking Prokop, McLoone said. When the group realized he was unconscious, they ran away, she said.

Prokop began to seize and his friends called 911, McLoone said. Paramedics outfitted Prokop with a neck brace and transported him to Hennepin County Medical Center, she said.

Prokop said he suffered a concussion and does not remember much of what happened during the altercation.

"It was quite scary," McLoone said.

But never fear - in case you get in trouble the University Police have the remedy (h/t A. Karl K.): "Stay safe - scream 'help'".

Quagmire Update: Violence For Thrill And Entertainment

2006-09-22T06:43:00.000-05:00

"I find it to be evidence of a disturbing trend among those I fear are students: using violence for thrill and entertainment."

What sickness has descended upon Minneapolis, and by extension the University of Minnesota? It used to be you could walk around most of the city without fear of being beaten, robbed, raped, or killed.

Now you can't even walk on the campus of our state's largest university without fear of attack.

H/T to Rambix reader A. Karl K. for alerting me to this article from the Minnesota Daily. This particular story had a happy ending, but it could have gone south in a hurry. If nothing else, it should be a wake-up call.

At 3 a.m. Saturday, two men attempted to attack and rob a friend and me near the corner of 14th Avenue Southeast and Talmage as we walked the block from his home to mine. I have decided to submit what follows to the Daily, because I believe it will benefit people to understand the nature of these attacks, as well as because I find it to be evidence of a disturbing trend among those I fear are students: using violence for thrill and entertainment.

The article is worth reading. This could be your friend or daughter.

The author and her friend escaped physically unscathed, but her sense of security is compromised.

Welcome to the Quagmire.

Reader Analysis Of How Criminals Can Get Off Easy

2006-09-22T06:23:00.000-05:00

I don't know if Rambix reader and contributor bobby_b is in the business, but this is a pretty impressive analysis of how scumbags can evade justice (taken from comments):

Say a guy has five different sets of charges against him, arrested five times for five different sets of offences - and he faces time on all of them. Assault in Mpls, Assault 2 in Bloomington, CDP in Mound, Terroristic Threats in St. Paul etc . . . . Now, he's finally been picked up (probably on a traffic violation, since they only affirmatively go out to find "serious" scums.)

Say one suburb or city gets him in jail first, and prosecutes him. The rest just wait. (It's cheap to wait.)

Scum goes to trial, and loses (or pleads guilty to the least-serious charge in his pile, which is, by far the most common scenario - arrest a guy for rape, assault 2, and littering, and everyone lets him plead to littering) and then gets sentenced to 90 days.

City #2 then prosecutes him. Trial, and he loses on the terroristeic threats charge, and gets 90 days.

Since he was in custody all that time, the following rationale is applied:

Prosecutor #2 COULD HAVE insisted on getting him first. Since Scum is serving 90 days for his first set of charges, the second city COULD HAVE brought him in right then and charged him in the same proceeding - and so, if multiple sentences are imposed in multiple appearances, the time, by MN statute, MUST BE concurrent. (This means, is served at the same time - i.e., five "90 day" sentences, served concurrently, all run out after 90 days.)

So, all of the charges and convictions for which Scum is arrested and jailed and tried are served concurrently.

Meaning this: If you're a lifetime scum, you might as well commit lots and lots of crimes in a short period of time, because if you pull one rape, or nine, the "time served" crap in this state means you'll never get punished for more than one.

(Caveat: the rape example is extreme, for one reason - some crimes garner more "points" for a second, or third, offence. Therefore, sometimes a second trial is for "rape with one prior rape", and so is more serious, and thus gets a longer sentence.)

But, still, damn, we're just too fecking easy on these skells. "If you commit two crimes, then each day in prison counts for both"? What bulls---.

What a system we have, no? Maybe someone can answer how Amy Klobuchar's office fits into this scenario.

Thanks, bobby_b for shedding some light.

Insider's Take On Wendy's Shooter

2006-09-21T22:23:00.000-05:00

Here's a very interesting email regarding the recently posted-about Wendy's shooter from a Rambix reader and Hennepin Corrections employee who will remain anonymous:

Sep 21, 2006

i don't know if you are aware or not, but antonio houle, the wendys shooter was covicted of driveby shooting in 2004 and was sentenced to one year in the workhouse, of which he only did about six months, because of time served. I work for hennepin corrections and it makes me sick when these types come to us. as i remember too, this guy was a total piece of s---. i usually only remember the asshole's names, the others come and go.

I guess calling the perp a scumbag isn't sufficient.

Thanks for the firsthand info - we know we won't see that in the Red Star.

McGruv's Crime Map

2006-09-21T20:17:00.000-05:00

Intrepid Rambix reader Derek I. (McGruv) has been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to exposing the slimy underbelly of Minneapolis crime, while at the same time holding the "leaders" feet to the fire.

Now he's taken his activism to a new level, having created a nifty color-coded crime map based on CODEFOR data. Below the map is part of his comments to me:

I thought you and your readers might be interested in some simple violent crime analysis I've put together. The attached Excel file details the number and frequency of violent crime in the city by neighborhood. The source of the data is the MPD's CODEFOR data posted on the city website.

The frequency of violent crime is measured on a per capita basis, namely the number of crimes per 1000 residents. You'll see that the city has had about 50 violent crimes for every 1000 people who live here. That implies that as many as 5% of all people living in the city may have been a victim of a violent crime. Of course some people may have been victimized more than once or been from out of town but you get the idea.

Yeoman's work, McGruv. The city should be paying you.

I see a fairly clear pattern of higher crime in the central city, focus on the northern half, radiating outward. That shouldn't be a surprise, though. Northeast Park seems to be an anomoly. Anyone detect other distinctive patterns?

As Derek asks, where is the Safe Zone?

Police Are Forced to Shoot & Kill Suspect Minneapolis

2006-09-21T06:52:00.000-05:00

You'll see the typical headlines today, such as "Police shoot man in S. Minneapolis", which of course makes it sound to headline readers as if an innocent man were walking down the sidewalk minding his own business when the police suddenly shot him for no reason. This is typical following an incident where the police are forced to shoot someone. I consider that an inflammatory headline.

KARE 11 News has a slightly better, but still misleading, headline: "One dead overnight, two Minneapolis officers on paid leave".

Minneapolis police responded to a domestic dispute just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night at the 3900 block of Bloomington Avenue in south Minneapolis.

According to Interim Police Chief Tim Dolan, once officers arrived on the scene, a man fled the scene, a scuffle ensured about a block away. The man was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

Two Minneapolis officers involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave as is standard procedure pending an investigation.

Dolan expects to release additional details at news conference set for 1 p.m. Thursday.

You'll notice that on Rambix and the Red Star, I'll initially give the police the benfit of the doubt until facts prove otherwise. The MSM generally plays it the opposite, at least in their headlines.

I'll post more later as details emerge.

Metro Murder Roundup

2006-09-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Police want your help locating an alleged triggerman in the 2/10/06 murder of Shedrick Turner, as KARE 11 News reports: "Minneapolis police seek public's help".

Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis has been the scene of several murders this year. One of the first took place on February 10th on the sidewalk outside of 905.

Minneapolis police have arrested four people in connection with the shooting death of Shedrick Turner, but they believe the person who fired the shots is the man in the photos to the left.

Police say they were taken by a store surveillance camera several days before Turner was gunned down.

They are asking anyone who recognizes the man to call police at 612-692-8477.

Here's the alleged piece of garbage:

Meanwhile, consistent with evident spread of violence from Minneapolis/St. Paul to the suburbs (ok, many will argue Brooklyn Park is an extension of North Minneapolis) is a KSTP report of murder: "Brooklyn Park man shot, killed".

Brooklyn Park police say a man was shot inside an apartment building on the 6200 block of 65th avenue north.

Police were called to the Eden Park Apartments just after midnight. Paramedics attempted CPR, but the victim died at the scene.

Police have no one in custody at this time but are following leads.

Brooklyn Park police said marijuana was found near the victim's body.

This appears to be a drug deal gone bad, but murder is murder. It will be interesting to see from whence the killer came.

Raped In Minneapolis

2006-09-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

This is an odd story that hasn't been entirely confirmed, but KARE 11 News reports that a Minneapolis woman has been raped by a man posing as a real estate agent: "Realtors issue warning after woman allegedly raped".

The Minnesota Association of Realtors sent an alert to its members Tuesday after receiving news that someone posing as a Realtor may have raped a woman in Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Police Department says it does not have a police report on the incident.

But the Minnesota Association of Realtors says it learned about the incident from a reliable broker and felt the need to issue an alert to all of its members.

In turn, many other local Realtor groups passed along alerts to their members. An e-mail from the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors says the victim "was approached by a man posing as an agent, asking to preview her home. She allowed him into her home and was... raped."

To say "be on the lookout" would be an understatement.

More Bad News For The Univ. Of Minnesota

2006-09-19T21:43:00.000-05:00

The hits just keep coming for the University of Minnesota. H/T to Rambix reader A. Karl K. for the heads up on the story the campus recruiters don't want you to see, from the Minnesota Daily newspaper: "U area sees assault increase".

Assaults up 113 percent

Minneapolis' 2nd Precinct, which includes the University, saw a 113 percent increase in reported assaults in August from the same period last year, according to police figures.

>> A fraternity member was assaulted Sunday after asking a group of eight to 10 men to not walk through the yard of Chi Psi at 15th and University Avenues. The men refused to walk around and a confrontation ensued when the victim was punched in the face.

>> Saturday, a man was leaving a store at 14th Avenue and 5th Street when another man asked him for money. He refused to give any and was punched in the face.

>> A man was riding his bike Sept. 11 near Emerald Street and Franklin Avenue Southeast about 3 p.m. Two men stopped him with a car and punched him in the face.

>> A group of 10 to 15 men assaulted a student Sept. 9. The group approached the victim and asked about a party. He suffered a broken jaw after being pushed to the ground and kicked.

Benjamin Sodetani, a first-year Minneapolis Community and Technical College student, witnessed the assault on his friend, who he's known since third grade.

"(He) was lying on the ground of the parking lot; he was conscious but didn't know what was going on," Sodetani said.

Unfortunately, the University suffers along with Minneapolis. The effects of the Minneapolis Quagmire have ramifications throughout the metro area and the state. To wit: this, from KSTP Eyewitness News:

2 arrested in Brooklyn Pk. Wendy's shooting

Two suspects were arrested in connection to a shooting at a Wendy's Restaurant located on 7445 71st Ave. N. in Brooklyn Park.

Antonio Valentino Devon Houle and another suspect were arrested Tuesday morning.

Tuesday at 12:45 a.m., Brooklyn Park police responded to a emergency call from inside Wendy's reporting that the manager had been shot in the back.

According to police, a suspect had ordered food at the drive-thru and got into an argument with one of the clerks. He threatened that he had a gun and would be back. The vehicle was spotted in the restaurant's parking lot five minutes later and then shots were fired.

When police arrived on the scene, they found the manager suffering from a minor gunshot wound. Police obtained a description of the suspect and their vehicle from employees

The police arrested the coward and his accomplice shortly thereafter. What will Ms. Klobuchar do with this criminal?

Kennedy vs. The Machine weighs in.

Shark Bait of Anti-Strib weighs in.

[Photo courtesy KSTP News]

Violent Crime In Minneapolis Up 25.8%

2006-09-19T06:38:00.000-05:00

Violent is crime is 25.8% from January to Sept 11, 2006, as compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, authorities are wondering what to do with Mr. 110 arrests, Terry Lee McMorris.

Mystery abounds.

Would it be a stretch to posit that an explosion of violence in Minneapolis, and the apparent need for authorities to solicit public input as to what should be done with a criminal who has been arrested 110 times with few obvious consequences might lead one to believe there is a dysfunctional public safety apparatus in Minneapolis and Hennepin County?

Obviously I'm not implying that criminal McMorris' 110 arrests/criminal career has led to violence (although we can't rule it out), but he clearly operates with a degree of impunity. Do you think that point is lost on the harder-core gangster thugs? I think not.

The evidence supports the theory that a culture of crime has been allowed to fester in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. The leaders of those governmental units, including, but not limited to, Mayor Rybak and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar, should be held accountable.

The Red Star reports: "Violent crime up in Minneapolis".

Minneapolis' violent crime rate continues to outpace that of 2005, but authorities said Monday that a recent crackdown on juvenile crime is slowing the increase.

The violent crime rate from January to Sept. 11, 2006, was 25.8 percent higher than the same period last year, according to Minneapolis police. That includes murder, robbery, aggravated assaults and rape. The increase from 2005 was as high as 60 percent in January and stayed above 30 percent for most of the year.

Apparently the silver lining in this report is that crime only increased 25.8%. Why, it could have been 60%!

Despite the reports of progress, every category of violent crime continues to show an increase over the same period of 2005. According to preliminary crime reports from the department, homicides are up 18 percent, rape is up 22 percent, robbery is up 29 percent and aggravated assaults are up 24 percent.

No matter how you try to whitewash it, these numbers are ugly.

The question is: will there be consequences for the leaders who brought us to this point?

110 Arrests

2006-09-17T20:54:00.000-05:00

I previously posted on a call for a community impact statement for an individual in Amy Klobuchar's Hennepin County with 96 arrests and climbing. Here's what I wrote on 8/29/06:

I'm not sure what the magic number is in Amy Klobuchar's Hennepin County, but it might just be 100 arrests before you are punished for being a menace to society in Hennepin County.

The Minneapolis Police SAFE Unit is looking Community Impact input so that the court can intervene "in a meaningful way" with Krissy Ann Stillday, who has been in handcuffs 96 more times than Ms. Klobuchar has been in the prosecutor's chair since becoming HCA...

It appears that 100 is not the magic number, as the following Sep 13, 2006 3:06 PM dispatch from the Minneapolis Police SAFE Unit attests:

Request for Community Impact Statements

NOTICE: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

It is a unlawful to report a crime knowing that it is false. See Minn. Stat. 609.505.

Terry Lee McMorris

DOB: 05/15/71

Mr. McMorris was arrested 09/12/2006 for a narcotics violation during a search warrant at a drug house on the northside.

Mr. McMorris has been arrested 110 times since October of 1990. He is currently on probation and has 76 days of his sentence stayed. That means the judge can send him back to jail for those remaining days or longer if he wishes.

If you have personally observed Mr. McMorris engaging in conduct that negatively impacts your community, please consider writing a community impact statement (offender form attached) describing that conduct and how it has impacted you and the neighborhood as a whole.

or

If you haven’t observed Mr.McMorris, but are experiencing similar problems with other individuals who are engaging in similar conduct that negatively impacts your community, please feel free to write an impact statement as well. (Offense form attached) Be sure to note in your statement that you have not personally observed Mr. McMorris engaging in this conduct.

Please email your community impact statements to: Carla Nielson at the Franklin Safety Center (871-8090) - carla.nielson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or fax them to Carla at (612) 342- 0224.

Stayed sentences, probation, 110 arrests - are there no consequences in Hennepin County? And Ms. Klobuchar is running on her public safety record? Who's running the show here?

Robberies Up 100% On University Of Minnesota Campus

2006-09-16T22:51:00.000-05:00

WCCO News has issued a stunning report that the violence on or near the University of Minnesota campus is worse than feared: "U Of M Campus Robberies Up 100 Percent".

(WCCO) Minneapolis In the college classroom, there's a teacher for every few hundred students. But on the streets, there are a thousand students for every police officer at the University of Minnesota. According to Minneapolis Police, robberies are up 115 percent in the past two years in the U of M area.

Great city, Minneapolis. Have you read this in the Red Star, by the way?

College life at the U of M used to be late night studies, late night parties, late night walks; now it's this:

"In our dorm a couple nights ago, we were talking to someone who came back from west bank and he said that he got mugged over there," said freshman Janneke Schaap. "The guy had a gun and everything, and he took his money and everyone else's money with him."

Last spring, one student was robbed and hit in the head with a brick just steps away from his dorm. His injury required 13 stitches.

Unfortunately, it looks like many of the students get their news (or lack thereof) from the Red Star:

Young people we talked to were stunned campus robberies are up more than 100 percent and are even more concerned that most victims are students.

"Wow, no I was unaware of that. It's pretty incredible, that's terrible," said sophomore Marco Vincent.

It's unacceptable when Minneapolis residents are exposed to such a high level of criminal activity; it's intolerable when our young adult students are getting the tar beat out of them just for being on or near campus.

Here's exactly what we need - an involved and angry parent of a U of M student who has written a letter to the Red Star for not doing basic reporting on a public safety threat [from email sent to Rambix]:

Richard F.
To: rambix@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Campus Assaults
Date: Sep 16, 2006

Saw the lame article in the Strib today and sent the author the following:

You describe assailants in the latest crime wave near campus as "a Group" and "Guys". We, who have children attending the U, and who actually subscribe to your newspaper (and therefore pay you money) should be entitled to a better description.

How about trying to warn innocent folks by publishing the police reports, or at least the descriptions of the subhumans involved. If an innocent person is assaulted by a "group" and you have withheld a description which might have saved him/her, are you not violating your journalistic ethics?
I don't expect a response, but will at least warn my kid!

Great letter, Richard. Let us know what they say, if anything.

Minneapolis 3rd Precinct Update - Shooting

2006-09-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

This is an update from Inspector Gerlicher, 3rd Precinct Commander, Minneapolis Police Sep 14, 2006 1:49 PM:

A second shooting [Ed. - The first was the murder I've already reported] occurred late yesterday afternoon at the corner of 25th/Chicago. In this case, a 26 year old male who was speaking to another male at that location was shot in the arm by suspects in a vehicle. The injuries suffered in this case were not life threatening. Thankfully a witness was able to provide a vehicle description and license plate and within 45 minutes, 3rd precinct officers located the vehicle unoccupied at another location in the precinct. Also, 3rd precinct officers have since made two arrests in this case and recovered two handguns and we believe that we have identified all parties involved in the case. There could be additional arrests. This incident occurred adjacent to Children’s hospital and I have already spoken to their staff about the case.

St. Paul Armed Robbery

2006-09-16T09:50:00.000-05:00

KARE 11 News reports an armed robbery in St. Paul last night on West 7th St: "Armed robbers hit St. Paul Burger King".

Police in Saint Paul are asking for the public's help find the men who robbed a Burger King Thursday night.

Two African American men, one armed with a handgun, robbed the fast food restaurant on West 7th Street around 9 p.m.

The men were seen leaving the Burger King in a [Pends confirmation of information accuracy, article remains retained on KARE 11 News site].

Anyone who sees this car is asked to call police at 651-291-1111. Do not approach the men, they are considered very dangerous.

Armed robbery seems to be the crime of choice in the Twin Cities this year. What do you think these rats are doing when they're not committing crimes?

[Photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

More Reporting On University Of Minnesota Violence

2006-09-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

You haven't seen this in the Red Star to date.

KARE 11 News reports on the fallout from the savage beating of University of Minnesota student Mike Murphy:

A 21-year-old honor student at the University of Minnesota and avid skier, Murphy was set to graduate in three-and-a-half years this December.

But that all changed when he ran into trouble early last Saturday morning while walking with friends to their apartment on the East Bank.

"His recollection is sketchy," Dan Murphy, Mike's dad said. "He remembers getting hit from behind literally and on the ground he remembers being pummeled."

Police say as many as six people took turns beating Murphy. It finally ended when a friend called 911 and the assailants ran off.

The East Bank seems to be the nexus of incidents involving random mob violence:

Every student and faculty member on the Twin Cities campus will get an email Friday morning with a warning from University Police. That's because Murphy was just one of three severe, random beatings of students on the East Bank last weekend.
"This is very uncommon," said Lt. Chuck Miner of the U of M Police Department. "These appear to be very random acts; no robbery involved just walking along and got assaulted."

The random nature of the assaults is particularly troubling, because you're not targeted for certain behaviors; you're targeted because you are simply there.

KARE 11 News, as usual, has done some nice reporting here. Read the whole thing, then contact Mayor Rybak and ask him what meaningful action he is taking to rid his city of the seemingly endless supply of vicious thugs. Why do criminals in Minneapolis seem to feel they can rob, beat, and kill with impunity?

Criminals Gangs Terrorize University Of Minnesota

2006-09-14T17:28:00.000-05:00

URGENT ALERT

Armed criminal gangs have struck hard on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota, assaulting victims with baseball bats or clubs for no apparent motive. The University of Minnesota Police have issued a Crime Alert:

Assault Incidents
posted: september 13, 2006

In the early morning of Saturday, September 9, 2006 there were three separate incidents in which male victims were approached by a group of males and physically assaulted on or near the East Bank of the University of Minnesota. In two of the incidents the victim was assaulted with either a baseball bat or a stick. At least two of the victims needed to be hospitalized due to the extent of their injuries. These incidents were not robberies and there is no other apparent motive. Times and locations were as follows:

12:30 AM, 16th and University Avenue SE, (University Police Case)
2:00 AM, 12th Avenue SE and Como Avenue SE, (Minneapolis Police Case)
2:15 AM, 12th Avenue SE and Talmadge Avenue SE, (Minneapolis Police Case)

The suspects in the incidents were all males. The reported number of assailants in these cases ranged from 5 to 15. Members of the University community who are walking in and around the campus at night are reminded to be aware of their surroundings, travel with a companion(s), and use the free Campus Escort Service which can be accessed by calling 612-624-WALK. Carry a cell phone if you have one and do not hesitate to call 911 on or off campus if you observe suspicious circumstances or are in fear. Minneapolis and University of Minnesota Police are in continuous radio communication, either or both will respond.

If you may have seen such a group as described around that time, in that location, or have information on any of these incidents is asked to contact the Minneapolis Police Tips Line at 612-692-8477, Sergeant Erika Christensen of the Minneapolis Police Department at 612-673-3407, or the University of Minnesota Police at 612-624-COPS.

In recent weeks I have written about the increased violence on or near campus. I have posted about numerous assaults. I have posted concerns of the president of the university. The violence continues.

Please use caution.

Crime Alert - Minneapolis Robberies

2006-09-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

You don't have to worry unless you're a "high risk lifestyle" purse-carrier frequenting certain areas of Minneapolis at 10 a.m., late afternoon, or evening. For those that fit this profile, be on the lookout, as the Minneapolis Police have issued a Crime Alert following several robberies of persons:

Harrison, Near North, and Willard-Hay Neighborhoods (9-12-2006)

Robbery of Person September 12, 2006

Facts:

Since August 1, there have been several robberies and purse snatchings in the Willard-Hay, Near North and Harrison neighborhoods involving a group of juvenile suspects. In some cases, suspects have approached the victims and asked for the time. Suspects are then either snatching the victims’ purse or demanding the victim’s money. Several victims have either been struck or knocked to the ground in the robberies. In some cases, a black semi-automatic handgun has been displayed. These robberies have been occurring in the Harrison neighborhood and in the southern parts of Willard-Hay and Near North. Most of these robberies have occurred in the late afternoon and evening, although one happened at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Suspects are described as black males, 15 to 18 years of age, 5’6” to 5’9”. In several cases, they are approaching their victims in groups of three or four, either on foot or riding bicycles.

If you have any information on these robberies, please call the Minneapolis Police Department Juvenile Unit at 612-673-2921.

Although the group of thugs who murdered Courtney Brown have been arrested, this current group of criminals is eerily similar in age, numbers, race, etc. This leads me to wonder what kind of social breakdown has occurred in cities such as Minneapolis that would produce a seemingly endless stream of young gangsters to perpetrate crimes on innocent people, day in and day out?

Where are the parents? Where are the churches? Where are the consequences? Where is the shame?

Now A Homicide: South Minneapolis Shooting Of Woman; Child Hit By Schrapnel

2006-09-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

KARE 11 News reports a shooting has just occurred within the past couple of hours. The victims include an adult female who was shot multiple times, and a six year old child who was wounded by shrapnel: "South Minneapolis shooting wounds two".

Two people were wounded in a shooting in south Minneapolis.

Police say a 23-year-old woman was shot multiple times just outside the front door of a home she was visiting in the 2500 block of 12th Avenue South. A six-year-old was also injured by shrapnel from the shooting. The child's injury is not life-threatening.

Police do not believe the shooting was random.

It took place just before 6 p.m.

Will post more later as details emerge.

UPDATE: The Red Star has more details:

A woman suffered life-threatening wounds when she was shot several times. . .

Police were continuing to gather evidence about what led to the shooting.

"We're not sure why she was targeted," Gerlicher said.

The gunman got out of a car and approached the woman in the front yard, City Council Member Gary Schiff said.

"Someone came up to a woman, unarmed, with a child standing by -- a complete coward," he said of the gunman. "We need the community's help in finding who would shoot someone in a front yard with a child playing nearby."

. . .The couple, who said they have a quiet neighborhood, went outside to see what had happened and the woman was lying down in the tiny, fenced front yard next door and talking.

"She was saying, 'Watch my head'," Lucy Oats said. "She was fanning her head.". . .

UPDATE 09/12/2006 10:44:23 PM: It's now a homicide, as KSTP News reports. And apparently all the attention focused on the Northside has made those with short memories forget that the Southside is violent too:

A 22-year-old woman was shot four times on the 2500 block of 12th Ave. S. around 5:30 p.m., according to Minneapolis Police. She later died at Hennepin County Medical Center.

She was shot four times and one of the shots fired at the woman grazed a seven-year-old child, police told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

"All this shooting is about to run me away," said neighborhood resident Nida Bryant. She said she is thinking about moving to Phoenix.

Another neighbor said she's counted five shootings in the neighborhood recently.

[Photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

More Detail Emerges On Vicious University Of Minnesota Beatings

2006-09-12T06:48:00.000-05:00

I've twice previously reported on the violent assault of two students at the University of Minnesota; a story the MSM, save for Fox 9 News, is ignoring. More disturbing detail is emerging via the University's newspaper, the Minnesota Daily: "Two U students assaulted".

A visit to a friend's house early Sunday turned into a bloody trip to the hospital for two University students.

A group of five or six men attacked the students about 2:15 a.m. Sunday on the 1000 block of 12th Avenue Southeast in the Southeast Como neighborhood, witnesses said.
University senior Michael Murphy was first punched in the face and then beaten with what looked like a board, said witness and friend Sara Jensen.

Murphy underwent reconstructive surgery on the left side of his face after he suffered three skull fractures, she said.

Gary Antilla, a sociology and law and criminal deviance junior, said he too suffered a fractured skull and received stitches on his head and hands. He also had abrasions on his arms.

Previous reports underplayed the tremendous amount of violence involved.

Inexplicably, there are no suspect descriptions. Should we not demand more of the MSM, including the Red Star?

What will it take to suppress the criminal element in Minneapolis? Is the beating of University students not sufficient for action to be taken?

Minneapolis Gas Stations Under Criminal Siege

2006-09-12T06:26:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Downtown Journal reports that two gas stations trying to serve the public in Mayor Rybak's Minneapolis are overwhelmed by criminals. Business costs are rising due to the need for beefed up security, including off-duty officers (consider that, you business owners who are considering doing business in the city).

"Downtown gas stations beef up security measures"

Two late-night gas stations Downtown are taking steps to provide extra security in the face of criminal activity.

Loring Park’s SuperAmerica, 101 W. Grant St., may soon hire an off-duty police officer to supplement a surveillance system purchased this year.

“There is a bunch of theft going on, and the employees can’t do much about it,” said Store Manager Ahmed Kamala. “It’s always going to be crazy out here. Guys are dealing drugs in the parking lots. ... We are trying to deter some of these things from going on.”

Think about this next time you want to stop in for a snack:

Less than a month ago, the business permanently closed the public restroom after finding syringes.

Well, no one ever claimed that Minneapolis doesn't welcome a diversity of people.

SuperAmerica is not alone in it's struggle against crime.

Bobby and Steve's Auto World, cnveniently located at Washington Ave. and 35W seems to attract much more than it's fair share of thugs:

Bobby & Steve’s Auto World, 1221 Washington Ave. S., located in the vicinity of a recent shooting, has employed a minimum of two security guards on-site from midnight-4 a.m. for several years now. Late-night food orders are offered only to-go. In addition, the station closes during the after-bar rush on Friday and Saturday nights from 2:30-3:15 a.m.

These store are trying hard to do business in a city that has a festering culture of criminal behavior. And make no mistake, the extra security costs are not absorbed by the businesses; they are passed on to you and me.

And how does this kind of neglect affect the local business climate? Just ask the chairman and Chief Executive of Macy's North, Frank Guzzetta:

No one knew quite what Guzzetta, 61, a relative newcomer to the Twin Cities, had in mind. The guests, who included Mayor R.T. Rybak and Target Corp. marketing executive Michael Francis, were slightly anxious as they moved along a lush buffet table filled with Indian cuisine and five varieties of wine.

Then, as if on cue, Guzzetta strode to the front of the room and delivered a speech essentially criticizing those present for not doing enough to stanch the exodus of downtown retailers to the suburbs. "Without a group of people to take this to the next level, the downtown will go backwards," he told the group.

What say you, Mr. Mayor?

Culpable?

2006-09-11T22:01:00.000-05:00

"It’s time to set the record straight, Amy Klobuchar hasn’t helped the crime problem in her district at all".

To what extent is Hennepin County Attorney and U.S. Senate wannabe Amy Klobuchar culpable or responsible for the rising tide of violence in Minneapolis and Hennepin County?

Martin Andrade has a very nicely done detailed analysis: "Amy Klobuchar and Crime".

I set out this week to figure out if there are any conclusions that can be drawn between Klobuchar’s work at the DA’s office and the violent crime rates in Hennepin County and Minneapolis.

Read on, and see if you come to the same conclusion.

I tend to agree with Martin: It's tough to draw a direct correlation between the incompetence of Mayor Rybak and Klobuchar's failure to aggressively prosecute criminal scum, but both have failed in their duty to perform the most important governmental function of all: protecting the public.

Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Martin.

9/11 - We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...

2006-09-11T06:20:00.000-05:00

We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job.

Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, Feb 9, 1941

Victim names and tribute

More On The University Of Minnesota Assault

2006-09-11T05:53:00.000-05:00

Two days ago, I wrote this:

Fox 9 News at 9:00 has reported the vicious mob beating of two University students in "Dinkytown", near the University of Minnesota campus. I don't yet find a link for this story, even on the Fox 9 website.

More as the story develops.

No one to my knowledge, except Fox 9 News, seems to have covered this story until, well, this blog, and now the University of Minnesota's campus paper, The Minnesota Daily. The Daily has a very brief story, with much less detail than was on Fox 9 News: "University student in hospital after assault".

A University student is in the hospital after a Saturday morning fight .
About 2:15 a.m., a University student was assaulted with a weapon near campus, said University Police Chief Greg Hestness. The student suffered injuries to the head and possibly to the hand, he said.

Hestness said he was unsure what kind of weapon was used, but said that because a weapon was used, a suspect would face felony charges.

Fox 9 News had reported the weapon was some type of club, possibly a 2X4. If you saw the video of the victim, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe a large weapon was used.

So why isn't anyone else on this story? The potential felons are on the loose. Descriptions? Anything?

The Cancer Is Spreading

2006-09-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

We've seen more and more stories coming from the MSM about gang activity in the suburbs - it's not just an urban thing anymore. While no suburb has been immune to crime, gangs have heretofore been mostly confined to urban areas.

That may be changing, as KSTP News has yet more evidence of the spreading cancer of gangs in the Twin Cities metro area: "Gang graffiti on homes in Richfield".

Richfield High School became a target for local gang members Saturday evening. Graffiti covered high school's walls, as well as a back fence and garage door of a house nearby. The taggers are part of a notorious city gang, now moving to suburbs, police said.

"Being a father of 2 small children, it's a big concern for myself", a neighbor said.

The scene at West Pleasant Avenue and West 72nd Street did not look so pleasant after the "artists" were done. Sureno 13 gang is responsible for last night's incident, police said.

[Idiots] 13 is a gang that originated in Los Angeles and has been operating near East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Investigators said that earlier this year the gang started moving to Richfield.

"Apparently it's gonna spill over into our nice neighborhood here in Richfield, said Jed Popiel, who lives near the scene.

Another gift from the Golden State. [Note: I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of seeing their name in print, even if they can read]. And note the comment regarding gangs "spilling over" from Minneapolis. That's exactly what I've predicted and feared would start to happen.

If Mayor Rybak and company can't control the thugs of Minneapolis, everyone will suffer. In other words, Minneapolis problems are everyone's problem, and, by extension, weak-mayor Rybak is also everyone's problem.

University of Minnesota Dinkytown Beatings

2006-09-09T22:27:00.000-05:00

Fox 9 News at 9:00 has reported the vicious mob beating of two University students in "Dinkytown", near the University of Minnesota campus. I don't yet find a link for this story, even on the Fox 9 website.

More as the story develops.

Sexual Assault On Stranger In Minneapolis

2006-09-09T22:13:00.000-05:00

A woman who was engaged in "high risk" behavior, waiting for a bus, early Thursday morning in Minneapolis was sexually assaulted near Nicollet Ave. and 9th St.

The Red Star reports: "Man charged with sexual assault in downtown Minneapolis".

A Minneapolis man was charged Friday with sexually assaulting a woman early Thursday morning in downtown Minneapolis.

Christopher L. Tate, 28, had approached a woman near Nicollet Avenue and 9th Street after she missed a bus about 2:18 a.m., said a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court. When she fled down a well-lit alley, he followed her, pushed her against a building, fondled her and pulled down her pants, the complaint said.

Tate tried to sexually assault her, but she was able to flee and get help, the complaint said. Video surveillance from a nearby building captured the incident.

Capt. Rich Stanek said that the two didn't know each other and that Tate isn't currently linked to other assaults.

I don't find a criminal record for Mr. Tate in Minnesota, but I not convinced this is his first (alleged) crime.

What a sorry state of affairs this city has become.

Three Shot In St. Paul

2006-09-09T09:09:00.000-05:00

Minnesota's two largest cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, are infested with gangs, and the result is violence on a scale we haven't seen since the early to mid-1990's.

KSTP News reports the latest mayhem: "Triple shooting in St. Paul".

Three people were hospitalized this morning after a shooting on the 1000 block of Charles Avenue in St. Paul.

Police say a woman and a man were shot in the chest. Another man was shot in the leg.

Police say the shooting was sparked by a fight in an alley, and was likely gang related. No arrests have been made.

This story is pretty fresh, so there's not much detail yet. More later.

UPDATE: Here's an current KSTP article.

Three people were shot at a house party in St. Paul early Saturday morning. At 12:15 a.m. Paul Vang, 24, Tino Var, 20, and Vanthan Var, 26, attened a party at 1000 block of Sherburne Ave. There was reportedly a dispute over money, when a 16-year-old used a gun and shot three people.

"I looked out the window - just saw police swarming all over the place" a witness said.

Vang was shot in the leg, and both Vantan and Var were shot in the abdomen. All three victims were in critical but stable condition at the Regions hospital.

"I just saw him on the ground and he's like, I can't move. Help me," said Bunth Kong, who helped one of the victims.

Police arrested the juvenile who admitted to the crime.

[Photo courtesy KSTP News]

Murder Arrests

2006-09-09T09:05:00.000-05:00

KSTP News reports on the quick police work in rounding up the sewer rats who murdered a local teenager for his sports jersey: "Fourth person arrested in teen's murder".

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Police said Friday they had arrested four people in the slaying of a teenager on the city's troubled north side, just days after they appealed to the public for help.

Courtney Brown, 15, was shot to death Saturday night after police said he and his brother were accosted by a group of young people demanding their basketball jerseys.

Arrested were three boys ages 17, 16 and 13, along with an adult male. Police believe one of the two older juveniles was the shooter, while the adult was "involved with the handling of the weapon," said Lt. Lee Edwards, head of the homicide unit. Authorities plan to try to charge the alleged shooter as an adult.

Police were also looking for two more juveniles, Edwards said.

The suspects are mostly teenagers - any bets on whether the punishment will fit the crime?

Minneapolis Quagmire Going Global

2006-09-08T06:35:00.000-05:00

First an article in the Economist, and now a commentary in the New York Times (liberal both) - Mayor Rybak's Minneapolis Quagmire and Minnesotan's response to pervasive crime (self-defense via 2nd Amendment) is getting worldwide recognition.

The Lady Logician dissects: "Dodge City or Murderapolis".

Liberals don't seem to make the connection between the violent crime rate and the need for citizens to defend themselves. If you don't like good people carrying firearms, then do something about criminal violence.

Mr. Mayor?

University Of Minnesota Assault

2006-09-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

It seems that I just finished posting an interview with the University of Minnesota president about the escalating crime problem on or near campus, when a new incident of violence has emerged. The University of Minnesota Police have issued a Crime Alert following an assault on campus: "Assault - Union and Washington Av SE".

Two people involved in a verbal altercation resulted in the bicylist physically assaulting the driver of the car. Police are seeking help in the identification of the bicyclist pictured below. If you have information regarding this incident or the identity of the bike rider, please contact Det. Matt Quast at 612-624-1036.

St. Paul Robbery/Shooting

2006-09-07T20:15:00.000-05:00

In a scene reminiscent of Minneapolis violence, a 15 year old boy has been shot in St. Paul, ostensibly as part of a robbery. KSTP News reports: "Teen shot behind St. Paul barber shop".

In what appears to be an attempted robbery, a 15-year-old was shot in the arm Thursday afternoon in St. Paul. It happened on University Ave. and Herschel St. and St. Paul Police say the suspect fled the scene.

According to initial reports, the boy was walking home from a nearby school and walked into a barber shop to inquire about prices. A few minutes later, according to police, the boy came back into the barber shop saying he'd been shot and robbed in the alley behind the building.

The boy is at Regions Hospital and initial reports are that he will be fine.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s with a slight build, wearing a Twins hat and red tennis shoes. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call St. Paul Police.

Robbery has been the scourge of Minneapolis and St. Paul this year, and this case is no exception. Will someone once and for all study the background of the robbers that have been caught and convicted so that we can learn where they come from, and if they are from out of state, what draws them here?

That information is obviously not available to the general public, so we need to depend on law enforcement or prosecutorial authorities to make the data available.

What is there to hide?

[Graphic courtesy KSTP News]

Minneapolis Crime News From The 2nd Precinct

2006-09-07T06:57:00.000-05:00

CSCR/Kidnap occurred at 23xx 5th St NE. Two suspects in custody. Vict treated at HCMC. Search WT executed. #06-252,301.

Narcotics Unit: MPD/Henn. Co. Task Force officers concluded an investigation into crystal meth dealer from P2 with a violent criminal history, including homicide. We used STOP officers in marked squads to try and stop the offender when he was believed to be carrying meth to sell to an undercover officer. A chase ensued with the suspect throwing narcotics out of his car, and was terminated when the suspect began driving down a one-way street. Officers located the suspect a short distance away, after he parked his car and attempted to walk away. His 16 year-old daughter who acted as the suspect’s translator for drug deals was arrested by a P2 officer as she tried to walk away as well. Narcotics were recovered from the vehicle, and the suspect has been charged with multiple offenses.

University President Recognizes Robbery Increase

2006-09-07T06:22:00.000-05:00

In a Septmeber 5th, 2006 interview with the Minnesota Daily newspaper, University of Minnesota president Robert Bruininks discusses crime and safety issues. Although he's vague regarding the university's action plan, it's clear he understands there is a problem with crime on or near campus, particularly with robberies: "Bruininks: More police to patrol campus".

The University president discussed safety concerns and campus initiatives.

By Yelena Kibasova

Last year the University experienced a lot of crime. What is the University doing to ensure student safety?

The safety of our students is a very important priority for the University.
We are adding police officers to increase at least the amount of protection for our own university community, meeting with the Minneapolis police officials and Minneapolis city government officials to determine what we can do to increase the safety of the neighborhoods that surround the University of Minnesota, and, I think, entering into some very serious discussion with community leaders about these issues.

What exactly do you mean?

How the long-range planning of the neighborhood around the University will be developed in a way that will really promote public safety and promote the quality of life that we expect our students to enjoy when they come here to study at the University of Minnesota.

Many metropolitan universities face these challenges and I think the level of safety around the Twin Cities campus is among the highest in the country. But it still is a serious issue when you notice that the statistics regarding robberies … are going up.

That happened last year. We took very special notice and we put a number of actions into place.

I plan to meet with other members of the administration (and) with our students and student leaders over the next several months, because I think they may have some ideas about what we could do to better promote safety. It may have to do with transportation issues, lighting issues; things that we can do to better protect students and student safety after-hours and weekends.

The university, being part of Minneapolis, is also part of the Quagmire.

My questions is: Has president Bruininks had a conversation with Mayor Rybak? Even the perception of serious crime could negatively impact enrollment, and that is just one real-world consequence of crime.

Recent campus crime news: Stadium Village bank robbed on August 30th, 2006

Minneapolis: Violent Crime In The city Is Increasing At An "Alarming And Unacceptable" Rate

2006-09-05T22:10:00.000-05:00

In 739 posts on Rambix and the Red Star since April 26th, 2005, I've attempted to convey the urgency of the increasingly out-of-control crime picture in Minneapolis.

It may finally be working.

Someone is taking notice; KARE 11 News reports: "Minneapolis crime rising at "alarming" rate"

Minneapolis Police officials say violent crime in the city is increasing at an "alarming and unacceptable" rate.

"It's troubling," said Lt. Greg Reinhardt. But, he added, "It's not all that unusual when you compare it to other major cities. Many cities that had significant decreases in crime over the last few years are now seeing spikes in violent crime."

Compared to last year at this time, violent crime has risen 27% in Minneapolis.
That includes:

A 13% increase in the number of homicides,

A 22% increase in rapes,

A 30% increase in robbery and

A 26% increase in aggravated assaults.

The news about property crimes isn't much better.

Burglary is up 11%,

Larceny is up 8%,

Auto theft is up 6% and

Arson is up 12%.

Welcome to Minneapolis!

The dramatic rise in crime is most startling in Northeast Minneapolis. In what police call the 2nd precinct, robberies are up 62% compared to last year, rapes have increased 61%, and aggravated assaults are up 62%.

Despite these statistics, Reinhardt said Minneapolis is still safe, compared to other cities of similar size.

"Minneapolis is still a very safe city," he said. "And we encourage people to come downtown. We encourage people to shop in the city and visit the city. But we are concerned about particular trends in violent crimes."

Okaaay. If you provide the Kevlar and several cases of .40 cal rounds, I'll be there!

Now, compare and contrast these two comments from police brass:

Lt. Greg Reinhardt: "Despite these statistics, Reinhardt said Minneapolis is still safe, compared to other cities of similar size."

Lt. Lee Edwards: "I'm from Detroit and I haven't seen crap like this since I left Detroit in 1976,"

We report, you decide. Does the current state of affairs constitute a crime emergency? After all, now children are shooting children for their jerseys.

And don't forget, Northeast is the home of our friend NordEaster. Keep your powder dry, my friend.

Below is a message to the mayor. Are business leaders applying pressure to the mayor's office to clean up the city? If not, they should be:

[Top photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

Minneapolis Quagmire Weekend Roundup

2006-09-05T06:31:00.000-05:00

For those of you who were out of town or out of the news loop over the holiday weekend, here's a summary of the bloody events in Minneapolis while you were gone:

Politician Mugged

Liberal Politician Mugged In Minneapolis

Political Helper Takes Fire

Assault, gunshots on Minneapolis campaign trail

Murder

Politician Beaten Yesterday; Minneapolis Murder Today

Another Murder

Bloody Weekend In Minneapolis

Police Look For Clues In Two Weekend Homicides

And finally, check out this interesting Minneapolis crime discussion on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

In short, it's more of the same. And, yes, Mayor Rybak remains in office.

Reader Input

2006-09-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty clear in the past that Rambix and the Red Star is not a political blog per se, but, as you can imagine, there is some unavoidable crossover with crime issues. In the interest of addressing such public safety issues, I would appreciate reader input into the following:

Say your political candidate of choice wasn't in the process of fending off muggers in Minneapolis, and you had the opportunity to ask him or her some questions; what would you ask? More specifically: "If you were writing a candidate questionaire or moderating a debate, what question(s) would you want to ask prospective candidates?"

The venue would be an online townhall meeting directed at State Legislative and Senatorial level candidates.

Examples:

Would you support raising taxes to increase law enforcement coverage?
Do you support Minnesota's current "carry" legislation?
Besides increasing funding, in what ways would you improve public safety in Minnesota?
What do you see as the number one cause for increasing crime rates?

I appreciate your help if you can. I'm sorry, I can't tell you the time and place these may be used (I don't even know myself at this time), but suffice it to say the subject matter is important. Please post the question in comments or email me at: rambix@ix.netcom.com

Justifiably Afraid

2006-09-03T22:17:00.000-05:00

The good people of Minneapolis are under siege. Peaceful citizens far outnumber murderous thugs, yet the criminals have a particularly sadistic advantage: they have nothing to lose and don't fear consequences.

Fear the man who has nothing to lose.

The losers in this current (undeclared, but ongoing) crime emergency are the solid citizens of the Northside and other parts of Minneapolis.

The Red Star reports on some of the fallout of this weekend's bloodshed: "Two Minneapolis killings put neighbors on edge".

Sadeja Riley didn't sleep well Saturday night. She dreamed that she had been shot and was lying on a sidewalk. The nightmare was likely triggered by events that occurred outside her north Minneapolis home a few hours before she went to bed.

Riley, 15, was looking out of her bedroom window about 9:30 p.m. Saturday when she saw a male get shot in front of her house on the 3800 block of Lyndale Avenue N.
"We were scared. We cut the lights and the TV and my mom hit the floor," said Riley, who has lived on the block for three years. "This is the first time I've ever seen anybody get killed like this. It's shocking and a lot of kids saw this."

These kids are seeing a lot of things they shouldn't see. City leaders have let them down - a person can't even feel safe in his own home in Minneapolis.

Linda Hys, who lives on Lyndale about a block north of where the shooting occurred, heard the commotion. She said she wasn't surprised that a shooting took place so close to her home of 10 years. In recent months, she and other residents said there has been an increase in prostitution and drug dealing on the avenue. But the shooting has put her on edge and she wants to move.

"I don't drink, but I am today," said Hys. "I'm scared to death. I'm petrified. I don't feel safe. We need more cops on the streets."

Ms. Hys has a right to be scared.

Mayor Rybak: Is it yet time for severe measures in order to save what's left of your city?

Bloody Weekend In Minneapolis

2006-09-03T06:43:00.000-05:00

Despite the Guardian Angels, despite the presence of State Patrol Troopers, despite Mayor Rybak's assurances, and despite Amy Klobuchar's newfound tough-on-crime posture, Minneapolis remains a violent, bloody Quagmire.

The holiday weekend in Minneapolis has brought us liberal politicians getting mugged and beaten in broad daylight, political campaigners dodging bullets, and a murder on 5th St. N. and Royalston Ave.

As if that weren't enough, now comes a report of yet another Northside murder on the 3800 block of Lyndale Ave. N.

KSTP News reports: "Saturday night homicide".

Police are investigating a homicide that occurred last night in North Minneapolis. Officers responded to the thirty-eight hundred block of Lyndale Avenue North shortly before ten o'clock Saturday night. One juvenile male was found shot to death near the side walk. Police believe robbery was the motive. The victims name has not yet been released.

Minneapolis police are currently looking for suspects.

(Copyright 2006 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

Although he's made some band-aid moves to quell the Minneapolis insurgency, it's clear that Mayor Rybak ultimately has no control of his city. And no one can dispute that since liberals for a long time have owned the city, lock, stock, and barrel, they are responsible for it's pending demise. Despite the obvious lack of leadership, the citizens keep electing them to office.

The salient questions are: Why hasn't Mayor Rybak stepped down from office in failure? And why do Minneapolis residents keep electing the liberal politicians who are responsible for letting their once-fine city slide into the Quagmire?

[Photo courtesy Kare 11 News]

Politician Beaten Yesterday; Minneapolis Murder Today

2006-09-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

The feral beasts are out in force in Minneapolis this weekend. First, a liberal politician took a beat-down while campaigning in broad daylight (see previous post), and now there's been a homicide, as WCCO News reports: "Noontime Murder In North Minneapolis".

(WCCO) Minneapolis One man is dead after a shooting in Minneapolis.

Officers were called shortly after noon Saturday on a report of gunfire near 5th Street North and Royalston Avenue in north Minneapolis. They found a man who had been shot. He died at the scene.

Witnesses say a suspect fled in an older, green four-door car.

No one's been arrested. The name of the victim has not been released.

Police ask that anyone with information concerning this homicide to call the Minneapolis Tips Line at (612) 692-8477.

A broad daylight beating, then a noontime murder - if that's what Minneapolis thugs are willing to do in the daytime, what are they planning for the darker hours?

Liberal Politician Mugged In Minneapolis

2006-09-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

O the irony.

When it comes to criminal behavior, those on the right blame the criminals themselves, knowing they are not excluded from the inherent free will of man. Many on the left blame the victims or themselves for the criminal's behavior.

So if a person of the left gets mugged, did he do it to himself? Reading this quote might make one think so: "our negligence has led to the explosion of violent crime in our community."

Who said that? Well, a lefty who got mugged, as KSTP News reports: "State House candidate attacked campaigning".

DFL candidate for State House, Michael Katch, was attacked campaigning in his own neighborhood Friday.

Katch was handing out campaign materials near Broadway Ave. in Minneapolis, when six teenage boys followed him to a doorstep and started beating him.

Katch suffered a broken nose, a concussion and needs reconstructive surgery to his face. He was taken to the emergency room at University of MN Fairview Hospital and released Friday evening.

"I told them I was there to help them, I didn't really understand why they were hitting me... I'm not quite sure if they asked me for money, but it's not like I was carrying any...there wasn't much they could get from me," Katch told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS."

Forgive me, but the ignorance of some liberals is something to behold. Why did they attack you, Mr. Katch? Because they're criminals. That's what criminals do.

Despite what happened, Katch remains positive and says troubled kids are just one of the reasons he's running for office.

"As far as I'm concerned it happened, and its over with and we still have the same problems, we have to get back into the community and fix them," Katch said.

That's right; it's all over now. Nothing more to see here.

The Red Star version of the story indicates Mr. Katch is not going to press charges; it's basically just a misunderstanding.

That's why liberals are dangerous folks. It's the self- absorption: "well, as long as I'm ok with it, then nothing needs to be done." No consideration for punishment, future victims, or past victims of these animals.

In other words, no justice.

Here's Mr. Katch's campaign website. You can see he's a committed man-of-the-far-left:

Allowing anything short of equal rights for our homosexual community is in itself a hate crime and has no place in the state of Minnesota.

A hate crime? What about the hate crime perpetrated on you, Mr. Katch? Those thugs surely didn't like you.

And, of course, we can't give law enforcement the tools they need to suppress violent criminals:

Racial profiling by our law enforcement community is unacceptable in the state of Minnesota and especially in Minneapolis. I will fight to see that this practice is defeated wherever I find it practiced. Our homes and neighborhoods need to be kept safe while our neighbors need to be treated with respect and dignity. We must not fear law enforcement, we pay them to serve our community. They must not discriminate against our neighbors in their endeavor to keep us safe from those who do not respect our laws or values.

I wouldn't wish a mugging on anyone, but if this thrashing doesn't make Mr. Katch understand the plight of victims in Mayor Rybak's Minneapolis, nothing will.

I have trouble generating sympathy for a grown man who displays a child's naivete.

Minnesota: Flypaper For Criminals?

2006-09-01T22:09:00.000-05:00

KSTP Eyewitness News reports that an extremely high-risk armed fugitive has made his way from Texas to Minnesota: "Armed fugitive may be in Twin Cities".

An armed and dangerous fugitive from Texas may be in the Twin Cities, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Texas authorities have received word that Christopher Harris could be in Minnesota. Harris, 27, is responsible for multiple residential burglaries, vehicle thefts and thefts of firearms, in the states of Texas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, according to authorities.

Harris is known by authorities to use violence towards law enforcement and is wanted in Texas as a habitual offender. He is facing a life sentence if convicted. Authorities believe Harris may force a police officer to kill him by pointing or shooting a firearm towards the officer if an arrest is attempted, the BCA reported in a news release.

This is a very bad man. Keep your powder dry for this guy, especially if you're going to a remote camping area.

He was last seen driving a dark colored 2000 dodge caravan with stolen license plates. He may be with Loren Marie Gonczi and Wesley Allen Scott, both of whom are also wanted by authorities. They are all known to be meth users and frequent remote parks or campgrounds.

[Photo courtesy KSTP News]

Letter, Response

2006-09-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

Yes, I spend an inordinate amount of time criticizing lame public officials, haranguing wishy-washy judges, and skewering sociopathic criminal scum. But occasionally I have something nice to say.

A recent Pioneer Press article caught my eye, not so much for the content, but for the way the article was written. After scanning untold crime-related writings over the past couple of years for this blog, I had come to the conclusion that many stories read as if the reporter was writing as he was driving, late on deadline, and had just spilled coffee on his pants.

In other words, sloppy.

How many times have you read a crime reporting, thought that it didn't make sense, and blamed yourself for missing something?

Well, don't blame yourself. If you don't understand what's written, it's the reporter's fault.

All of that is a lead-in to my real objective here - to point out a well-written crime story, my acknowledgement of that fact to the reporter, and his response:

From: Rambix
To: dhanners@pioneerpress.com
Sent: 9/1/06 6:46 AM
Subject: Article

Mr. Hanners,

I like the way this article was written (Robber sentenced for attacking clerk) - clear, concise, informative, and with interesting detail such as the description of the judge's demeanor.

In a time when too many stories seem to be rushed and consequently not written very well, the ones that are good stand out.

Just a note of appreciation.

Rambix

And here is Mr. Hanners' polite response:

Rambix--
Thank you for your kind note. You're right in that much of what we wind up writing these days is rushed. It is due, in large part, to the fact so many papers -- the Pioneer Press among them -- are short-staffed. I'm happy to report there may be some changes coming in that regard in our shop, however. The new owners seem to have gone on a hiring binge, which is refreshing after so many years of reductions under the previous owners.

The "rushed" writing also stems from the fact that in our attempts to be hyper-objective, we've taken much of the color (and with it, reality) out of our reportage of everyday events. The writing becomes very formulaic, and that soon becomes the standard. We complain about declining readership, but as anyone who has walked into a busy Barnes & Noble at 9:30 p.m. on a Friday knows, people haven't stopped reading. They've just stopped reading newspapers because the writing doesn't grab them like good literature. And it should.

I'll step down from my soapbox now....

We do appreciate it when readers note our attempts to describe the subtleties and nuances in everyday events, such as a sentencing.

Again, thanks for writing.
hanners

The interesting part of his response is that he agrees with my observations about the sloppy reporting. Even more interesting is that he says reporters are striving to be hyper-objective. Maybe they are at the Pioneer Press, but I'm not so sure I buy that for reporters in general (see Anti-Strib).

And the final thing I noticed is that I'm not sure he knew I write a crime blog. I didn't point it out in my email to him, but I hyper-linked my name. Not that it matters, but he's a reporter after all!

Anyway, I appreciate his thoughtful reply

Blogger Problems

2006-09-01T08:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the light posting, I've had some problems with Blogger. I hope to resume posting tonight!

44 Arrests

2006-08-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Police are looking for more Community Impact input on another societal misfit:

Request for Community Impact Statement

NOTICE: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. It is a unlawful to report a crime knowing that it is false. See Minn. Stat. 609.505.

Shawnie Eudora Louis

DOB: 03/02/1972

Ms. Louis was arrested for prostitution related offenses on 07/17, 07/28 and 8/26/2006. All occurred in Midtown and East Phillps.

Arrested for narcotics possession on 07/17/2006 and 07/19/2006 in the same area.

Ms. Louis has been arrested 44 times since June of 1991. Her offenses include prostitution offenses (12) and narcotics.

If you have personally observed Ms. Louis engaging in conduct that negatively impacts our community, please consider writing a community impact statement describing that conduct and how it has impacted you and the neighborhood as a whole.

Or

If you haven’t observed Ms. Louis, but are experiencing similar problems with other individuals who are engaging in similar conduct that negatively impacts our community, please feel free to write an impact statement as well. Be sure to note in your statement that you have not personally observed Ms. Louis engaging in this conduct.

Please email your community impact statements to: Carla Nielson at the Franklin Safety Center (871-8090) - carla.nielson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or fax them to Carla at (612) 342- 0224.

So who's going to jail in Ms. Klobuchar's Minneapolis? Certainly not Ms. Louis, #44, or Ms. Brown, #99.

Like Ms. Brown, Ms. Louis would benefit from a long-term stay in prison.

And I'll be happy to pay for more prison and jail space, which is the same as being happy to pay for a better Minnesota.

Shot In The Head In Minneapolis

2006-08-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

KSTP Eyewitness News reports that Christopher Dion Jefferson, 31, of Brooklyn Park, was shot in the head while visiting Mayor Rybak's city: "Brooklyn Park man shot in the head in Mpls.".

Christopher Dion Jefferson, 31, of Brooklyn Park, was shot in the head on the sidewalk at Portland and Franklin, just off of 35W, early Wednesday morning.

Safety officials took him to the Hennepin County Medical Center.

Despite being shot in the head, is condition is described as non-life threatening by Minneapolis Police.

Police have no leads on the suspect at this time.

Is this a random incident? Stay tuned.

Here's a little background history on Mr. Jefferson that you won't see in the MSM (take it for what it's worth):

DOB: 04/15/1975

All Known Aliases/Alternate Spellings:
Jefferson, Christopher James
Jefferson, Christopher
Jefferson, Chris Dion
Jefferson, Christopher Dion

Convictions and Sentencing

Conviction Number: 001
Case Number: 95058090
Court File Number: K995004595
Disposition Date: 04/01/1996
Controlling Agency: Columbia Heights Police Department
Court Agency: Anoka District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: MN Dept Corrections - St Paul
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Deg-Sale-Narcotic
Statute Number: 152.023.1.1
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $3000
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 54 Months
Probation Sentence:
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 002
Case Number: 93318048
Court File Number: KX93099295
Disposition Date: 06/28/1996
Controlling Agency: Minneapolis Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: MN Dept Corrections - St Paul
Assigned Probation Agency:
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-3rd Degree
Statute Number: 152.023
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $0
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 26 Months
Probation Sentence:
Conditional Confinement:
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 003
Case Number: 01119573
Court File Number: KX01039240
Disposition Date: 07/26/2001
Controlling Agency: Minneapolis Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Drugs-5th Degree
Statute Number: 152.025
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $6000
Stayed Fine: $6000
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 15 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 3 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Conviction Number: 004
Case Number: 05053768
Court File Number: KX05013667
Disposition Date: 08/17/2005
Controlling Agency: Minneapolis Police Department
Court Agency: Hennepin County District Court
Assigned Custodial Agency: Hennepin County Workhouse - Adult Corrections
Assigned Probation Agency: Hennepin County Probation Off
Count Number: 001
General Offense:
Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Statute Number: 609.487.3
Disposition: Convicted
Pronounced Fine: $0
Stayed Fine: $0
Court Cost Amount: $0
Restitution Amount: $0
Assessment Amount: $0
Pronounced Sentence: 17 Months
Probation Sentence: 3 Years
Conditional Confinement: 90 Days
Conviction Level: Felony

Downtown Sunkeria Brown

2006-08-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

I debated with myself whether or not to lay this one at the feet of Amy Klobuchar.

For about five seconds.

Why is this woman driving/out of jail/still have her kids/on probation?

KSTP News reports: "Mother gets 5th DWI, with kids in car".

A Minneapolis mother has been charged with child endangerment and her 5th DWI, all while on probation after getting four earlier DWIs.

Police pulled over Sunkeria Marie Brown, 28, last Saturday after noticing she was driving erratically at 26th Ave. and Quincy St. in Minneapolis.

Officers say she had her 10- and five-year-old sons with her in the car dressed only in their underwear. Police say when they tested her, Brown's blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit [Ed - that would be a .32 for the mathematically challenged reporter].

The children were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the arrest. Brown fell asleep in the back of the squad car while officers were checking on her children, according to the complaint.

A lesson for HCA Amy Klobuchar from Lt. Greg Reinhardt of the Minneapolis Police:

"She didn't have a license, but that doesn't stop many people from driving,"...

That's true ... if they're not in jail.

Is anyone besides me tired of seeing everyone on probation? Probation! How's that working out for Sunkeria (and society)?

Enough!

Send them to jail. I'm happy to pay for more jail and prison space. And II'm not concerned if they're "angrier" when they come out. As a father, I'm angry now.

Swift and sure adjudication and punishment for the guilty is the answer. If you want to treat them at the same time, fine. But let's end this plague of probation as a knee-jerk judicial response to criminal convictions in Hennepin County.

Goodnight, Sunkeria.

96 Arrests

2006-08-29T06:21:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what the magic number is in Amy Klobuchar's Hennepin County, but it might just be 100 arrests before you are punished for being a menace to society in Hennepin County.

The Minneapolis Police SAFE Unit is looking Community Impact input so that the court can intervene "in a meaningful way" with Krissy Ann Stillday, who has been in handcuffs 96 more times than Ms. Klobuchar has been in the prosecutor's chair since becoming HCA:

Request for Community Impact Statement

NOTICE: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

It is a unlawful to report a crime knowing that it is false.

See Minn. Stat. 609.505.

Krissy Ann Stillday

DOB: 02/20/1979

Arrested for possible drug possession 06/19/2006, 08/16/2006 and 08/22/2006

Since 1993 Stillday has been arrested 96 times. Most arrests are for drug related crimes including loitering, prostitution, paraphernalia.

Ms. Stillday is a drug addicted, chronic offender [Ed. - this means "criminal" in the real world] who needs our help. Please write a Community Impact statement asking the court to intervene in a meaningful way with her.

If you have personally observed Ms. Stillday engaging in conduct that negatively impacts our community, please consider writing a community impact statement describing that conduct and how it has impacted you and the neighborhood as a whole.

Or

If you haven’t observed Ms. Stillday, but are experiencing similar problems with other individuals who are engaging in similar conduct that negatively impacts our community, please feel free to write an impact statement as well. Be sure to note in your statement that you have not personally observed Mr. Rogers engaging in this conduct.

Please email your community impact statements to: Carla Nielson at the Franklin Safety Center (871-8090) - carla.nielson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or fax them to Carla at (612) 342- 0224.

Why does Ms. Klobuchar wait until a criminal has 96 arrests (unknown amount of convictions) before doing something "meaningful"? Could this be one reason why the city of Minneapolis has had to implement a (toothless) Code of Conduct? It's a safe bet Ms. Stillday has contributed in her own small way to the overall degeneration of Minneapolis.

Yes, Ms. Stillday has problems, and as a child of God should be cared for. But the most caring thing we can do for Ms. Stillday is to commit her to a long-term prison sentence where she will no longer be a menace to herself or to society. After all, Shakopee women's prison isn't exactly "hard time".

What say you, Amy Klobuchar?

Drive-bys Coming To A Suburb Near You

2006-08-28T21:47:00.000-05:00

As violent crime spreads throughout the city of Minneapolis, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the suburbs are also experiencing some fallout. After all, criminals don't care about boundaries.

In the last year or so, some of the growing suburban violence has been seen in Hopkins, Bloomington, Edina, and other close-in suburbs. Now, thanks to a tip from the Lady Logician, a story has emerged from the Twin Cities suburb of Savage of a drive-by shooting; in other words, big city crimes meets the suburbs: "Savage police host neighborhood meeting to allay resident concerns after drive-by shooting".

by Andrew Miller

Thisweek Newspapers

A repeat incident is unlikely, but residents of the Savage neighborhood in which a drive-by shooting occurred July 27 can expect an increased police presence.

That was the message Savage police delivered at a meeting Aug. 15 at St. Mary Magdalene Lutheran Church.[edited]

Det. Dave Muelken spelled out details of the drive-by for residents, but stated that the investigation is ongoing and not all the information gathered by police could be divulged.

Two men have each been charged with four felonies in connection with the shooting. Harold Linville, 21 of Lakeville is the alleged driver; Steven No, 19, of Farmington (who, according to police, also has a Savage residence) is the alleged gunman.

The afternoon of July 27, a 25-year-old Savage man was driving in town when No, in another vehicle, threatened him with a baseball bat, Muelken said.

There is evidence of gang involvement, which is not something you would typically see in the suburbs. This is an obviously unwelcome export from urban areas.

And though the criminal complaint signed by Savage police and filed Aug. 1 in Scott County District Court alleges that No and Linville are known to be associates of the Royal Cambodian Bloods street gang, Muelken said that neither No nor Linville is a gang member documented with the state.

Though that doesn’t mean police have ruled out a gang connection.

The investigation is active and ongoing. If you have information, call the Savage Police at 952-882-2600.

If gangs are branching out from urban areas to the suburbs and beyond, then it's clear that urban violence is everyone's problem. That's why no one should tolerate excuses by Minneapolis leaders for not getting the job done in suppressing criminal behavior.

It's All Relative

2006-08-28T06:31:00.000-05:00

After searching high and low for some positive news about Minneapolis to counter the frequent onslaught of criminal negativity, I believe I've hit upon something.

We can be thankful we're not in South Africa.

While Minneapolis has reported 42 murders year-to-date, South Africa (yes, I realize it's a country and not a city) has an average of 51 murders per day, according to a recent AP report.

We can compare by adjusting for population using per capita rates. By rough calculation, the odds of getting murdered in South Africa are 1 in 2500. In Minneapolis your odds are 1 in 7742 (I'm making some assumptions here; I realize not every murder victim lived in Minneapolis).

The article is reminiscent of news reports from large cities in Brazil, where heavily armed criminals will have massive firefights with police in urban areas. The criminals in South Africa may even have the upper hand. Crime is rampant.

(AP) Watch your back in South Africa. They kill folks here. Murder them at a bewildering rate.

Robbers kill their victims, bystanders kill criminals, family members kill each other.

Gun battles erupt on streets and in shopping malls. Passers-by whip out pistols and join in firefights between criminals and police or security guards. A recent flurry in high profile bloodshed even has police suggesting they are losing the fight with violent crime.

The South African violence appears to be country wide, and life seems to have little meaning.

At least in Minnesota we can avoid going to Minneapolis.

Statistically a South African is 12 times more likely to be murdered than the average American and his chances of being killed are 50 times greater than if he lived in western Europe.

"This is an extraordinarily violent society and nobody understands it," said Peter Gastrow, a crime analyst at the Institute for Security Studies in Cape Town.

So as violence continues in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities area, we can be thankful we don't live in South Africa. The positive thought of the day is: It could be worse.

If that helps.

The Robbery Is The Story

2006-08-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

The Red Star printed an account of a downtown Minneapolis strong-arm robbery with the "hook" being that the robber ate the evidence.

Funny.

But that's not the real story. The real story is that the alleged dirtbag, Terrance A. Dudley, accosted a woman who was minding her own business waiting for a bus, punched her in the neck, and ripped off her necklaces. He is being charged with robbery.

The Red Star reports: "Police: Necklace thief swallowed the goods".

Terrance A. Dudley was charged Friday with robbery after police said he ripped two necklaces off the neck of a woman waiting at a downtown bus stop Thursday night. After he was arrested and sitting in a squad car, officers saw him with his head bent down, gagging, the charges said.

After his companion told police what Dudley had done, Dudley was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where medical personnel gave him a laxative, the charges said. The necklaces were retrieved.

The robbery occurred about 7 p.m. at the bus stop at S. 8th Street and Hennepin Avenue.

Here's how the crime went down:

Dudley and another male approached the victim and Dudley stood close to her, making small talk before he reached into her pocket to try to grab her cell phone, the charges said.

When she pushed Dudley away, he punched her in the neck, swiped her necklaces and walked away, the charges said.

Blogs have given people a venue to vent their frustrations over the filthy bums and criminals hanging around downtown Minneapolis, committing crimes and annoying good people with virtual impunity. This story is more evidence of the deterioration of security in downtown Minneapolis.

Also keep in mind this story probably would not have been reported by the MSM if there wasn't the unusual twist. My sense is we're not hearing half of what is going on out there.

Tales From The Minneapolis Street

2006-08-25T22:12:00.000-05:00

In which a firearm permit holder encounters violence on the Northside of Minneapolis(requires registration):

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: What would you do? Shots fired scenario.

I had a very scary incident last night. I was stopped at an intersection (26th and Penn in N. Minneapolis). There was a group of about 9 people sitting out on the front porch. A car slowly drove by and was about to cross my path (I still had the red light). One of the guys sitting on the porch stood up and fired about 7 rounds at the car driving by AS HE WAS CROSSING MY PATH. I was in the crossfire, actually heard the bullets hit the sidewalk next to my car. The driver of the car fired back 2 or three rounds. I had my loaded Taurus next to me on the passenger seat. I put my head down and took a right to get out of the crossfire, then after driving two blocks, I called 911 and gave as good of description of both shooters as I could.

Technically, my life was in danger, and legally, I could've returned fire. I did have an escape route, but I didn't know if the crossfire would've hit my car or me in the escape route.

Needless to say, I was pretty shook up.

I'd be interested to see what some of you more experienced CCW holders would've done. I've only had mine since January of this year.

Business as usual on the Northside? I'd like to think not, but when you hear enough of these stories it's hard not to think so.

I believe this permitholder did the right thing by making tracks to safety, then calling 911. Technically, he may have been justified in returning fire, but does anyone doubt that he'd spend a fair amount of time in court if he did, particularly if someone was hit by his return fire? You've seen what the police have to answer to on the Northside when they're forced to discharge their weapons in the line of duty; how do you think a civilian would be treated?

Even if the county attorney declined to charge, the thug's family would be on the phone to their free legal services lawyer to file a civil suit before the shell casing hit the ground. Is it worth the trouble?

Minneapolis SWAT Action

2006-08-25T06:25:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have information on the Minneapolis Police SWAT activity on 37th between Nicollet and Blaisdale last night? Please let me know via email or comments. Thank you.

The Price Of Not Pursuing Justice

2006-08-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

Minneapolis authorities,"leaders", and the Hennepin County Attorney could learn a lesson from the tragic story of a gang attack on a young British father which left him with stab wounds and was followed by no arrest or prosecution of the criminals. Not only was there not an arrest or prosecution, there was not even an investigation (starting to sound familiar, Minneapolis residents?).

Believe it or not, that attack was the better part of the story. Seven months later, the gang finished the job with a handgun (Aren't handguns outlawed in Britain?).

The story highlights the consequences of no consequences for criminal behavior. The Daily Mail reports: "Police sorry after father shot dead".

A senior Met Police officer has apologised to the family of a young father shot dead after standing up to a gang of youths in the same road where he was stabbed just months earlier.

Peter Woodhams, a 22-year-old father-of-one, was shot moments after a confrontation with the gang outside a parade of shops in Freemasons Road, Canning Town, east London.

Only seven months ago he had been attacked by a group of youths and stabbed in the neck near the same shops, but nobody was brought to justice. A senior Scotland Yard officer apologised for "any hurt" that the previous investigation may have caused.

His fiancee, Jane Bowden, claims she phoned police every day for five weeks following the knife attack, but said officers never even took a statement from her.

This is a stark example of what could happen if violent criminals are not pursued with extreme prejudice and locked up in a timely manner. Swift and certain justice is a fine deterrent to future criminal behavior.

Like Minneapolis, Britain has trouble with young thugs and apparently judges as well:

A 14-year-old boy arrested in connection with the investigation has been released on bail.

Can we please get serious about arresting, incarcerating, and punishing criminals in Amy Klobuchar's Hennepin County and across Minnesota?

Red Star Crime Reporting Bias; Ex-reporter Speaks

2006-08-24T06:03:00.000-05:00

I've spent a considerable amount of time on this blog documenting how the MSM in general, and the Red Star in particular, are loathe to tell the truth when it comes to what they consider to be protected groups: blacks, homosexuals, the poor, urban liberals, and so on. You know something is amiss when I can find an obscure news account that provides a description of crime suspects, where the same description was omitted in every other local Twin Cities news organization story.

In other words, you don't have to believe me, or the folks at Anti-Strib, or any other blogger who covers these stories. The facts are there once the pieces are put together.

And if you don't believe the bloggers, how about an ex-news reporter? Dave Matheny opines on his past experience reporting Twin Cities crime for the Red Star in the twincitiescarry.com Forum (requires registration):

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

Starting in the 1980s, groups of black youths -- kids, really -- began roaming downtown and on occasion beating up people. The fact that they were (and are) black has no particular significance, other than the simple reality that most white folks feel a degree of fear when approached by a group of black gangbangers, a feeling that is intensified if the thugs call them racial epithets and beat them badly enough to put them in the hospital.

I worked as a reporter for the Horrible Old Strib at the time, and it was kind of strange to have this going on while the staff, very much aware of it, was basically not allowed to write about it. Reporters are fairly normal people but there was this elephant in the room, you know, like nobody talks about how Mom gets falling-down drunk every night.

So nothing was said. There was just no way to write it without the story being at least somewhat specific about who was doing what and to whom. That would have amounted to saying that blacks were committing crimes against whites, and the Strib does not write that story.

The situation, as far as I know, has remained that way, without benefit of being remarked on by the press, for all these years. TV, however, is different. It operates under no such restrictions -- not the black-white thing, but the making-sense thing. WCCO-TV took a whack at it by reporting that "downtown businesses" were complaining that their customers were being frightened off by the "downtown crime problem."

They illustrated it with file footage of (drumroll, please) cops rousting a sleeping wino out of an alley. Never any mention of the exact nature of the problem, nor of who was doing what to whom.

If you didn't happen to know, you'd assume that people were not shopping downtown because of drunks sleeping in alleys.

A couple of reporter friends of mine tried to find ways to report it, but the editors kept bouncing the stories back because they were too negative. There was no way to put a positive spin on it, unless "The Percentage of Whites Who Had their Teeth Kicked in by Black Gangs Rose by a Smaller Than Predicted Percentage This Year" is a positive story.
_________________
--Dave Matheny

Minneapolis Bicyclist Shot

2006-08-23T21:35:00.000-05:00

Although I haven't seen this story on in "print" yet, Fox 9 News reports that a bicyclist has been shot in North Minneapolis. Details are pending.

More Details On Hot Burglary In South Minneapolis

2006-08-23T06:32:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Police issued a Crime Alert last week following a "Hot" burglary in South Minneapolis, which I posted about here.

Here was the extent of the police released information:

Burglars enter Northrop parkway home August 14, 2006

Facts:

Police responded to a report of a burglary on Minnehaha Parkway East in Northrop neighborhood that took place between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Aug. 13. Unidentified suspects entered the house while the victim was asleep and took numerous items. The victim was not injured. An investigation is underway. There is little available suspect information.

The original release makes it sound as if the intruder came and went while the victim soundly slept. Now Rambix reader Brandon R. has provided more detail, which (in my view) significantly elevates the egregious nature of the crime:

Maybe this made the news and I missed it…this is news to me.

South Minneapolis:

A house was robbed on East Minnehaha Parkway (Between 11th Ave & 12th Ave) last week. Someone entered the home by cutting through a screen and somehow gaining access. A woman was at home and she was tied up with panty hose and put in a bathroom. After the intruder(s)(?) left, she was able to get free, the intruder(s) had cut her phone line and she didn’t have a cell phone. Her neighbors on both sides were on vacation – so she walked to a gas station about ½ mile away to contact someone for help. These details were passed along to me by family that lives a block away – I grew up in this neighborhood. I remember at least one attempted burglary when I was growing up but nothing quite like this. Do you have any info on this? This is/was a great neighborhood! Thanks for shining light on these issues.

A thug (or thugs) breaking into a home and tying up the resident should be very disturbing for residents of the area. Brandon is right; it's a very nice neighborhood of Minneapolis. It's not a stretch to imagine what the next level might be if the victim struggles, or if the criminal feels more emboldened next time.

[Note: I have no reason to believe these two described incidents not the same crime, although I can't confirm it with absolute certainty.]

The authorities appear to have scrubbed the more relevant information, and they should be asked why. This is a clear and present public safety issue.

Do you ever get the feeling we're only getting half the crime story in Minneapolis?

Bus Stop Shooting Media Advisory

2006-08-22T22:07:00.000-05:00

On 8/21/06 I posted here on the St. Paul Bus Stop shooting at 3rd & Bates. The suspect remains on the loose.

The St. Paul Police have now issued a Media Advisory with photos of the alleged perp.

(REVISED COMMENT: Given the new details that have emerged on this story, I no longer consider the shooter to be a menace to society, although I in no way justify his actions based on what has been reported to date. While I condemn vigilantism, this case could potentially have mitigating circumstances).

MEDIA ADVISORY

Saint Paul Police Department
367 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101

Tom Walsh
Public Information Coordinator
651-266-5735
651-755-9990

August 22, 2006

Shooting Suspect Sought

St. Paul Police detectives are seeking the identity of the person in these photos. The photos were taken by the MTC video security system shortly before two parties left a bus at Third and Bates on St. Paul’s East Side.

The suspect being sought may have been the victim of a theft and followed a young man from the bus. Soon after one shot was heard. A bullet from a small caliber handgun struck that young man in the side just below the arm. He is recovering from the wound. A firearm, believed to be used in this incident, has been recovered.

The suspect is described as a white male, 18 to 20 years old 5’9” tall, wearing a ark blue or black hat and a black shirt with white lettering.

Anyone with information about this party is asked to call St Paul Police at 651-266-5650.

Shot Dead In Bloomington [Update: Suspect Arrested]

2006-08-22T06:38:00.000-05:00

The Twin Cities metro area experienced more violence as a woman is found shot to death in a vehicle in Bloomington.

The brief article at KARE 11 doesn't say whether or not foul play is involved, but it also says the police don't consider the boyfriend a suspect.

Bloomington police are investigating the death of a woman found shot to death inside a vehicle in a church parking lot.

Police were called to the Christian Life Church at 90th and Emerson, approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Officers found the woman dead in her car.

The woman's boyfriend made the call for help but police don't consider him a suspect.

WCCO News has more details: "Woman Found Dead In Bloomington Church Parking Lot".

(WCCO) Bloomington, Minn. Authorities are investigating what they're calling a "suspicious death" after finding a woman in a Bloomington, Minn. church parking lot on Monday afternoon.

Police responded to a call at 5 p.m. from the woman's boyfriend who said that his girlfriend had been injured in the vehicle.

Upon arriving at Christian Life Church on West 90th Street and Emerson Avenue South, authorities found the woman inside a Jeep Liberty. The woman's boyfriend was outside the vehicle on the scene.

Police are still trying to piece together where the woman was shot or if she was even shot in the church parking lot.

A second car, possibly linked to the death, was towed from the scene.

We'll see what comes of these unusual circumstances.

UPDATE, suspect arrested: "Man arrested in death of Bloomington woman".

Here's a photo of the suspect:

This tidbit is surprising, as reported by KSTP News:

Richard Monroe Scheibe, 33, of Elk River, was arrested in connection with the woman's death.

Police say the woman's body was found inside an SUV at the Christian Life Church in the south metro suburb late Monday. The woman had a gunshot wound when she was found.

Scheibe was an paramedic and the victim was an EMT.

What a waste.

[Bottom photo courtesy KSTP News]

[Top photo courtesy KARE 11 News]

St. Paul Shooting

2006-08-21T21:53:00.000-05:00

Fox 9 Tv News described today's St. Paul bus stop shooting as random, but KSTP News reports that the victim knew the attacker: "Man shot as he steps off bus in St. Paul".

A man was shot as he stepped off of a public bus Monday around 4 p.m. on St. Paul's east side.

The streets near 3rd St. and Bates Ave. reopened around 6 p.m. as police searched for the suspect.

The man apparently got off the bus and was shot in the side, under his arm.

The suspect is described as an 18- or 19-year-old white male wearing a blue baseball cap and a black and white shirt. It's not clear yet if the suspect was on the bus with the victim.

The victim was rushed to Regions Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Let's hope they find this sewer rat, and soon.

[Photo courtesy KSTP Eyewitness News]

They Think We're Idiots

2006-08-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite posts from long ago was one in which I showed a side-by-side example of how suspect descriptions were stripped out of a police news release by the MSM. The police obviously wanted the public to know that information, but the local news outlets chose to censor it.

Rambix commenter IndyR has done yeoman's work digging up a story on the Bobby and Steve's shooting from the Duluth News-Tribune (via Pioneer Press) where they actually printed descriptions of the groups that were involved: "Two teens shot outside downtown Minneapolis store".

A group of 20 to 25 people had gathered near Bobby and Steve's Auto World, a gas station and deli near 12th Avenue South and Washington Avenue South when the fight broke out, apparently between groups of Somalis and African-Americans, Reinhardt [Lt. Gregory Reinhardt of the Minneapolis police] said.

And "crap" makes this observation:

How absurd is this? I put the PiPress and Duluth (original PiPress) stories side by side, and the ONLY difference was that the PiPress story was missing the words "apparently between groups of Somalis and African-Americans"!

Does the MSM think we're all idiots; that we can't handle the truth? If Lt. Reinhardt made the comment, you can be sure the Red Star and others had this information and they chose not to include it.

We know from experience that the MSM abhors printing negative stories about their "protected" communities, which include, but are not limited to, blacks, immigrants, homosexuals, and liberals in general.

Let me say this again: They think you're stupid.

A fact is not a fact when it comes to the MSM. The condescending attitude of the MSM is serving to drive more people to alternative media such as blogs.

Conservative bloggers won't talk down to readers or suppress information we think you shouldn't know, so visit early and visit often.