I believe the Minneapolis City Council's approach to reimagining policing in Minneapolis will not find the support it needs if it continues the way it began ("Proposal reduces police funding," front page, Nov. 28). Most residents had not heard of its plan until it was on the news, presented as a plan to defund the police at a rally at Powderhorn Park. Many residents found this alarming. Some heard it as a promise. There was no clear plan presented. There was not thorough engagement with all residents. Next the council proposed an amendment to the city charter to prepare the way for further actions in the next year. Polls at the time showed that there was no majority support, and the proposed change did not get on the ballot for a vote.
Now council members want to make changes in the budget to support moving forward with a plan that has not been defined. Are you paying attention? What you have in mind — at least some of you — may or may not be a good way to improve policing in Minneapolis. However, you have not done the necessary work to demonstrate that either way to the public. Problem-solving requires: a clear definition of the problem, evidence-supported possible solutions, engagement with all stakeholders (so, all residents and the Minneapolis Police Department), planned implementation of changes and an evaluation of the results of changes made.
The council's approach is especially confusing when Minneapolis is experiencing increased gun violence and other crime like carjackings. It does not feel transparent.
If you have done the work, show us. If not, please do so if you want to accomplish meaningful, needed change.
Joanne Lidicker, Minneapolis
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Thank you to the City Council, as this ensures my daughter will not be choosing to attend the University of Minnesota. Safety is job one as a parent, and your city is not trending the right way when it comes to safety. I'm sure these council members have an economic plan to make up for the lost revenue to your city and university.
David Ulferts, Omaha
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The Minneapolis city budget is coming up for approval. These times are full of change, anxiety, hope and fear. The pandemic has left us with a strained economy and dire survival needs. These include safety, housing, health, food, jobs and racial justice. The history of segregation and injustice in the city is well-documented and highlighted by the death of George Floyd.
I'd like to see the city do something radical that's needed in these times: Prioritize the needs of those most hurt by historic injustice and the pandemic. This would mean health, mental health, housing, job training, etc. It also means safety, but I do not agree with our old habit of relying on the police for this. The police have proven time and again, regardless of leadership quality, that they are infused with racism and a mafia-like attitude. Of course there are good officers, but I'd like them to speak outside of the blue wall of silence. An example of this problem is that MPD Deputy Chief Art Knight said one phrase in a Star Tribune article about the "white boys" in the force, and he got demoted by the chief.
I am not willing to fund that, and would like to see a transition away from the MPD to neighborhood peacekeeping forces, mental health and support for those without homes, etc. There is a lot of work already in motion on this, and I'd like the council to support that.