Post in Summer Turf Wars on Franklin Avenue?

Jun 08 15:59 UTC

Last Monday and Tuesday night, there was a series of shootings running roughly
along 21st Street between Portland and Chicago/Elliot.  I know that on Monday,
at least one person was shot 3 times in front of 2104 Portland, and several
people were arrested for a shooting earlier in the evening on the 2100 block of
Elliot.  On Tuesday night, shots were again heard around Chicago and 21st, and
Wednesday morning a group of young men beat up someone else and took their "bag
of money", to quote the person I talked to.

Sounds like we have a bit of a turf war going on and I'm wondering what the MPD
plan is to nip it in the bud, so to speak.

Since those events, I have been doing a lot of driving through those areas as I
have resident volunteers living near there.  I also really consider that area
to be "my neighborhood" as I have lived or worked there for 15 years now and I
don't want to see it backslide after so much on-going work by so many.  The
rough economy is having an impact there.

While I have seen an increase police presence during the day and less street
traffic of the young thug variety, I understand that dealing continues unabated
as the sun goes down.  Large SUVs pull into side streets and exchange
occupants, thugs are constantly looking over their shoulders while cruising up
and down Portland between Franklin and 22nd, glaring (or worse) at anyone
looking their way.

I'm interested to hear insight on this on-going issue from others who might be
knowledgable.