the Minneapolis Police Department some on the Council seem to be changing their
stance on several issues related to the police.
In a statement today, thanking the police for prioritizing the 911 call,
regarding someone shooting a gun near Logan and Lowery, and after the police
shot the suspect, Minneapolis City Council Member, Phillipe Cunningham, said:
“We also cannot tolerate someone wantonly shooting guns in our neighborhoods,
let alone at city employees. This enforcement action in response to dangerous,
violent behaviors on Logan and Lowery has been much needed.” The police said
the suspect, who was arrested, has non life threatening injuries. They said
they tried non lethal methods before resorting to gun fire as a last resort.
Several weapons were found in the car he was driving.
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2021/01/14/mpls-police-suspect-injured-arrested-after-exchanging-gunfire-with-officers/
Last week, Council Member, and Vice President of the Council, Andrea Jenkins
said: regarding to the closing off of traffic at 38 and Chicago: “Protesters
cannot just takeover the city!..You got to be let in, I mean and let out, is a
real concern to the residents who live there, and the businesses,” in a
statement implying that the barriers must come down at the site of the George
Floyd shooting. In addition to the inconvenience to the residents and
businesses, the site and adjacent blocks have been a hot spot for shootings
and other violent crime since it was closed off to thru traffic.
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2021/01/07/we-look-at-our-protest-as-art-future-of-george-floyd-square-becoming-clearer/
Several months ago, In a Council meeting, Jenkens also touched on the issue of
Black on Black crime, saying that a relative of hers had been killed by another
African American.
She said that she was going to say something very unpopular, but the
the issue of Blacks killing other Blacks must be talked about, if the problem
of crime is to be solved in Black neighborhoods.
“Im going to say something that’s probably very unpopular. Im going to state
it because last night, I was informed of the fact that, one of my [relatives]
was murdered…by another Black person. And, that is what is happening in our
communities right now, and if we don’t begin to talk about that as a
community…Police can’t solve all of these [problems]. We as community have to
step forward and begun to solve these problems too, and just honestly. putting
money into all of the support services, that we have in fact been investing in,
is not resolving all of these issues either. It is going to take a combination
of all of these things to have true equitable public safety in our community”.
November 10, 2020 Policy & Government Oversight Committee
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/city-council-tv/
Two other Council Members who voted for defunding and dismantling the MPD, 9th
Ward Council Member, Alondra Cano, and Council President Lisa Bender both
announced they will not run again In 2021.
CJ Sparrow