Utter mayhem
There has been a steady increase in lawlessness felt in the Twin Cities since 2020, when the defund the police movement promoted weeks of rioting and the burning of the Police 3rd Precinct in Minneapolis — a structure that sits two years later, like a burned-out trophy for criminality.
Since then, we have returned to levels of violence that rival the “Murderapolis” days of the mid 1990’s.
The difference is that in 2022, the common citizen is feeling a sense of randomness and utter lawlessness that hasn’t existed in the past. In the past we have been insulated from much of the violence that circulated among the criminal element — that’s no longer the case.
Seeing a show at a theater on Hennepin Ave, walking on the Stone Arch Bridge, going to a sporting event, or just returning to your car after grocery shopping in the suburbs has taken on an element of danger that never existed in the past.
Our new norm was on full display last night for the 4th of July. Note — the City of Minneapolis had previously cancelled its fireworks display for the third year in a row. Any hope of avoiding violence was dashed.
Here are a just a few excerpts from last evening on the Crimewatch Mpls Twitter account:
- Report of a BF wearing only a thong that fired a shotgun into the air at 1350 Nicollet Mall, and she’s with 10 others who are similarly attired.
- Police report possible automatic gunfire now in the area of 2nd and Portland, along with fireworks.
- We lost count. But somewhere near 10 to 12 people were shot in #Minneapolis in the span of just a few hours, including what sounded like at least five (updated to 8) at Boom Island in #NEMPLS.
- 911 caller says 25 people are shooting fireworks into the building and trying to break in. 225 Portland Ave
- Police just tried to go into 2nd and Portland to disperse the crowd. Police are now retreating.
- Report of a group near the Stone Arch at 2nd St SE and 6th Ave SE who are aiming Roman candles into a condo building.
- Police on site with a stabbing victim at the Greenway near Chicago/Elliot Ave S. Male has several lacerations and said 7 BM and Hispanic M’s tried to kill him.
- Another shooting victim showed up at HCMC. Reportedly from the Gold Medal Park incident earlier.
- Report of a person firing a gun into the air at 47th and Aldrich Ave N.
- Another person was overdosing at the same location. Also the hotrodders were reported to be in the same area prior to the shooting
- Mortar fireworks are being thrown at squads downtown Mpls.
- Shooting. Victim was privately transported to HCMC. Victim said he was also a shooter. Another victim showed up at North Memorial. 13xx Irving Ave N
- Someone put foam in the fountain at 12th and Nicollet Mall and now it’s overflowing.
- Robbery of person at Powderhorn Park.
- A 911 caller reports 100 shots fired in an exchange involving two guns. 36xx Logan Ave N
- Video of just some of the random lawlessness
This level of lawlessness cannot be allowed to continue. We must demand action from our political leaders — unfortunately too many of them are not even willing to identify the problem.
Here is a list of the local political leadership social media responses to the mayhem in Minneapolis last night:
- Mayor Frey – nothing
- US Senator Klobuchar – nothing
- US Senator Smith – nothing
- US Representative Omar – nothing
- Governor Walz – nothing
- Attorney General Ellison – nothing
- Hennepin County Attorney Freeman – nothing
Lawlessness will not fade until we see resolute, top-down leadership emerge. The crime problem needs to be identified, and a strategic plan needs to be developed to address it.
The newest member of the Minneapolis City Council, Ward 3 Councilman Michael Rainville, might represent our best bet. He has shown his willingness to identify the problem — and that is welcomed in 2022.