The Minneapolis Police Department will begin tracking statistics for
crimes against bicyclists, thanks to a motion authored by Council Member
Gary Schiff.
"As more people bike in Minneapolis, it's important that cyclists have
the information they need to stay safe. Cyclists have been targets for
robberies and assaults. Knowing what crimes are happening helps us
figure out how to prevent them in future," Council Member Schiff said.
Click here
<http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=524838&catid=14&GI
D=3F/+HC7qz97EOQmXYnXCGcjEPThL1HjHDi8Kt7ZlOmk%3D> to read more of
Council Member Schiff's comments on a KARE 11 story from last week about
the council request.
In the past, an assault on a cyclist would only be listed with other
assaults, Schiff explained. By creating a category in the uniform crime
report for bicycles, police will be able to generate year-end statistics
for crimes involving anyone on a bike.
The Council action comes at the same time as a number of tragic
accidents involving bicyclists, including this week's death of a
bicyclist hit by a truck
<http://www.startribune.com/local/29725464.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7P
iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU> in downtown Minneapolis, the
September 11th and 17th hit and runs on Excelsior Boulevard
<http://www.startribune.com/local/28234979.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqy
P4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUX> and Lyndale Avenue North
<http://www.startribune.com/local/28500694.html> and the death of a
bicyclist struck by a truck
<http://www.startribune.com/local/north/29286624.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDU
oaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUl> in Blaine on Monday.
Minneapolis is currently ranked as second in the nation for biking by
the U.S. Census, with 40 miles of dedicated bicycle lanes along
Minneapolis streets and 82 miles of off-street bicycle paths. For more
information on biking in Minneapolis, click here
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/> .
Phillips to get new pedestrian LRT lighting
New lights in Phillips will help improve safety for light rail
customers.
New lighting will make walking to the Franklin Avenue light rail station
safer, thanks to a grant from Hennepin County.
A total of 46 lights will be installed before the end of the year on
Bloomington Avenue between Franklin Avenue and East 24th Street, East
24th Street between Bloomington Avenue and Cedar Avenue and Cedar Avenue
between East 24th Street and East 26th Street.
Future pedestrian improvements along the Hiawatha corridor are possible.
Potential sites for expanded pedestrian level lighting include Franklin
Avenue from 14th Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue, Bloomington Avenue south of
24th Street, 17th Avenue South beside East Phillips Park.
"Phillips has the lowest rate of car ownership in the city," Schiff
pointed out. "Safety for pedestrians will help encourage use of mass
transit. It's just one more thing we can do to help make Minneapolis a
more walkable, transit-friendly city."
Early voter registration deadline approaches
Absentee ballots available October 3rd
The deadline to register in advance for voting is October 14th.
Minnesota law allows same-day voter registration, but pre-registering
helps speed up the voting process on election day. Eligible voters can
fill out voter registration applications at Minneapolis City Hall,
Hennepin County offices, public libraries, park buildings and fire and
police stations. Applications in several languages are available online
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections> .
Voters can vote by absentee ballot either in person at Minneapolis City
Hall or by mail. Ballots are available October 3rd. Voters permanently
unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability may apply
year-round to automatically receive absentee balloting applications
before each election. For an absentee ballot application and more
details, visit the Minneapolis elections webpage
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections/> or call 311.
The City of Minneapolis Web site also features a Voting Precinct Finder
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections/precinct-finder.asp> to help
voters find the polling place in their precinct. Voters may also view a
picture and map of their polling place. Shortly before the general
election, voters will be able to view a sample ballot for their
precinct.
The Minneapolis Elections and Voter Registration Office is responsible
for administering elections in Minneapolis. For registering and voting
information in Minneapolis or to serve as an election judge click here
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections> or call 311.
CenterPoint offers help with natural gas bills
Minnesota's cold weather rule
<http://www.puc.state.mn.us/docs/cwr07brochure.pdf> providing
protection for renters from heat shut-offs starts Oct. 15th.
With cold weather fast approaching, CenterPoint Energy is offering help
for residents faced with rising natural gas bills.
CenterPoint will be available to meet individually with residents at
Andersen School
<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Anderson+Open+Elementary+S
chl&near=Minneapolis,+MN&cd=1> , 1098 Andersen Lane on Monday, October
13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. For a list of more opportunities to meet
with CenterPoint Energy representatives, click here
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20080924EnergyAssistance.asp> . If
you are unable to attend a meeting and need help, call 612-372-4680 or
visit CenterPoint Energy <http://www.centerpointenergy.com/paybill> .
CenterPoint Energy representatives will explain how citizens can apply
to Community Action's Energy Services Program
<http://www.campls.org/energy.html> as well as instructions on setting
up payment plans. Residents should bring their most recent gas bill and
verification of household income to complete energy assistance
applications.
This past May, the Minneapolis City Council passed legislation
requiring landlords to provide an indoor temperature of at least 68
degrees between October 1 and May 1, and an indoor temperature of at
least 65 degrees September 15 through October 1 and May 1 through May
15. Renters experiencing violations of this ordinance are urged to call
311 or 911 if 311 is closed.
Foreclosure workshops prepare potential homeowners
Hennepin County Library is holding foreclosure prevention workshops for
new homeowners. Foreclosure counselors will answer questions including
what happens during foreclosure and what rights homeowners have.
Counselors will talk with borrowers about their options and provide free
advice.
Workshops will be held in Minneapolis on Tuesday October 7th from 6:30
to 8:00 p.m. at the East Lake Library <http://www.mplib.org/elhome.asp>
located at 2727 East Lake Street and on Saturday, October 10th from 1:30
to 3:00 p.m. at the Pierre Bottineau Library
<http://www.mplib.org/pierreb.asp> located at 55 Broadway Street NW.
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