5th Precinct Spotlight
Issue: 7Spring/2013
5th Precinct

Thank you for expressing interest in the Minneapolis Police Department's Fifth Precinct, located in Southwest Minneapolis.

 

We have a vibrant community with a lot to offer visitors and residents. This quarterly newsletter is our chance to give you more in depth information on our community and our section of the Police Department.

 

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Inspector's Insights

Introduction with Inspector Tony Diaz

 

Inspector Diaz
Inspector Tony Diaz

  

 

I would like to take this opportunity to say hello and to let you know how we are doing in the 5th Precinct. I was able to meet many of you at your community neighborhood organizational meetings and have enjoyed these meetings very much.

 

Year to date our crime overall in the 5th precinct is down 7.94% compared to last year at this time. Violent crime is down just over 4%. For those of you who were unfortunately victims of a crime, I am sorry and we will do our best to keep your neighborhood SAFE. The officers of the 5th Precinct are committed and are working hard to stay on top of the criminals and the crimes they commit.

 

We are utilizing our new Crime Analyst to help place our officers into focus zones to combat the crime patterns in the most efficient way possible. We would also like to thank those alert neighbors who have reported suspicious behavior on your blocks, resulting in arrests. Each week my officers are making arrests based on citizens paying attention to what's going on in their neighborhoods.

 

The officers have also made several arrests on robberies which occurred in the 5th Precinct. We have these arrests and charges listed in this newsletter.

The weather has finally changed for the better. The officers will be out on foot beats in the area along with our bike beat officers. Please say hi to them and feel free to pass along information that might help them in their patrols. The warm weather will bring new challenges for us that my officers are ready for.

 

I thank all of you and look forward to a safe and great summer!

 

Inspector Tony Diaz

Fifth Precinct Minneapolis Police Department

Open House, May 14, 5-7 pm
Join us for a fun, free time at 5th Precinct, 3101 Nicollet!

 

Join us at our annual Fifth Precinct Open House for free food, music, and visits with specialty units. Want to see a K9 dog? Have you ever been curious about how the bomb robots work? Do you want to talk to SWAT Negotiators, or see a fire truck up close? How about listening to orchestral music played by the MPD Police Band?

 

All of this and more will be at the Fifth Precinct Open House.

 

Fifth Precinct Open House 

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

5-7 pm

3101 Nicollet Ave South

 

Invite your neighbors, your family, your friends-- all are welcome. Please see the same date/time written below in Somali, Spanish and Hmong.

 

Miniyaabolis Boolis

Talaadad, May 14ka, 2013

5-7 pm

3101 Nicollet Ave South

 

Xafladan waxay fursad idinsiinaysaa in aad baraataan Miniyaabolis boolis. Waa wax fiican familka oo dhan ayaa iman kara. Cunto fudud ayaa la keenayaa. Fadlan ka soo qeybgala. 

 

  

Casa Abierta de 5to Recincto

El martes, 14-Mayo, 2013

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

3101 Nicollet Avenida Sur

  

5th Precinct Ua Kev Zoo Siab

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
5 teev mus rau 7 teev tsaus ntuj

3101 Nicollet Ave South

 

Tuaj koom tes nrog nroog Minneapolis cov tub ceev xwm. Thov caw koj tsev neeg thiab pej xeem tuaj koom peb.

Be a Block Leader: Click Send
Being a block leader is easy!

What is a block leader and why do we keep talking about them? Studies have shown that a coordinated block can help cut down on crime, and anecdotally we've noticed that alert neighbors can help increase the chances of a criminal being caught.

 

The term 'block leader' may sound intimidating but it's as simple as this:

  • To become a block leader, meet with your CPS for an informal 30 minute meeting during the work week at a coffee shop near you
  • You'll receive special alerts ONLY block leaders get-- automated alerts of most crimes in a 1.5 to 2 block area around your house
  • We ask that you create a contact list of your neighbors if one doesn't already exist
  • You forward information to your neighbors (whatever is pertinent as is decided for your block)
  • How you send the information is up to you. Most blocks have an email list, but some people make a facebook page, some a yahoo group, a website, a phone tree... be creative!5th Precinct boundaries with CPS contacts
  • Your contact information is protected! Any contact information you give us is put in a database protected by the Data Privacy Act of 1999, which means we can ONLY share it with other block leaders or people working specifically on recruiting block leaders for your neighborhood. We canNOT give it to anyone else without your permission-- not even people on your block.
  • Co-block leaders are encouraged! Interested but not sure if you want to do this on your own? Bring a neighbor for training!

Meeting socially (ie, for something fun) once a year or more is ideal-- most people do this at National Night Out (this year that will be August 6)-- but at the very least having a way for neigbbors to communicate when needed throughout the year is the most important part.

 

Your block might be missing a block leader! If you're wondering, contact your Crime Prevention Specialist (CPS) based on your location.  

Summer Youth Programs
How to Find Summer Program Information for Families and Youth Workers

The Fifth Precinct is happy to announce we will be doing periodical guest articles in our e-newsletter, to bring information to the community straight from the source of helpful resources at your disposal.

 

Please read below for a guest article from Jo Haberman with the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board.

 

  

kids by the water, Mpls Youth Coordination Board

 

  

The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board is a collaboration including the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools, and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation. It works with more than 40 community partners across the city to increase Out of School Time (OST) program quality and opportunities for young people in Minneapolis.

 

Minneapolis families, youth, and youth workers can learn more about summer and other OST programs at Summer Strong/School Strong: Youth Opportunities: http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/youth_activities

  

Youth activities and programs are available through Minneapolis Public Schools, Community Education, Hennepin County Libraries, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, and many community partners.

 

Greater Twin Cities United Way 2-1-1 provides 24-hour multi-lingual information by telephone about summer programs (and other resources). To get info, dial 211 or 651.291.0211.

 

Additionally, Summer Strong/School Strong partnership links people directly to information such as basic needs, safety info, child care, etc. See "School Strong" at: http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/

  

For further information, please contact:

Char Meyers, Summer Strong Project Manager [email protected]

 

or

 

Kristin Berg-Thompson Community Liaison, Area B

[email protected]  

 

kids classroom, Mpls youth coordinating board

 

Youth workers across Minneapolis are getting more connected online and in-person, increasing information about summer and other out-of-school time youth program opportunities.

 

Youth Worker E-Forum

E-Democracy has created a new online Minneapolis Youth Workers forum. If you work or volunteer with youth in Minneapolis this is an excellent place to connect with other youth workers, exchange information about events, programs, jobs, and other opportunities for both youth and youth workers. 

 

Sign up by going to Forum Home:

http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls-youthworkers

For more information, contact Corrine Bruning

[email protected]

 

Youth Worker E-Newsletter

A new e-newsletter "News for Youth Work Professionals" comes to email in-boxes about once each week, to support youth workers around the city in finding useful information and resources for the young people they work with - and for youth workers in a range of organizations.

 

Sign up with Pat Behrend: [email protected]

Special Projects Coordinator, Minneapolis Employment & Training Program

 

Youth Worker Monthly Meet-Ups

Youth workers get together each month in north-side, south-side, and east-side networking groups, to build collaboration, learn together, and strengthen the youth work community.

  • Northside group meets second Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm, Farview Park (29th & Lyndale Ave. N.).
  • Southside group meets second Thursdays, noon-1:30pm, Pillsbury House (3501 Chicago Ave. S.)
  • Eastside group meets third Wednesdays, 11am - noon - location varies; for further information: Jazmin Danielson [email protected]
group of kids, youth coordinating board

 

For more information about Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, Out of School Time partnership, please contact Jo Haberman at: [email protected]

 

Join us on Thursday, May 30th, 4pm, Minneapolis Convention Center -- for a free community event with Paul Tough, author of "How Children Succeed."

Everyday Heroes
Stories from behind the calls

Minneapolis Police Department badge

 

On 01/08/13 an aggravated Robbery call came out on the 3400 block of Colfax Av S. The victims were waiting at a local gas station.  

 

Beat Officer Illetschko was working alone and went to the victim's location to take the report.  He learned that there were 3 victims in a car parked in front of a residence on the 3400 block of Colfax Av S waiting for a friend when a suspect jumped in the back seat of the vehicle. This suspect pulled out a gun and stated that it was a robbery. Two other suspects approached the car and took the victims' wallet and cell phones. 

 

Officer Illetschko has his own fingerprint kit and was able to lift a partial fingerprint from underneath the door handle from where the suspect had gotten into the vehicle. 

 

This partial print led to the identity of Kevin Mason who was a suspect in a robbery soon afterward in a different precinct, in which a victim received an injury in the process of the crime. 

 

The victim was shown a photo lineup of suspect Mason and picked him out successfully. Officer Illetschko's great work in getting the fingerprint led to a successful arrest of Mason and got a violent offender off the street.  

 

View Notorious Notables further down this newsletter for more information and a booking photo of Kevin Mason.

 

Resolving Community Conflicts Yourself 
Guest Article, Conflict Resolution Center

  

Conflict Resolution Center's Executive Director Karmit Bulman has written the following guest article on mediation.

 

 

 

silhouette

 

It's 10:00 p.m., do you know where your neighbors are? Of course you do, because just like every other night, they're entertaining a group of friends, with blaring music and constant traffic, while your kids are trying to sleep, and you're trying to enjoy your evening news program. You've complained to your neighbors, you've called the city, and you've called the police.

 

But still, the problem persists. What do you do?

 

Wait until you hit your breaking point and do something drastic? Or, do you go out at 2 a.m. every night and start building that tree house you've been promising your kids for years? Such retaliatory solutions are far from lasting, and often lead to further escalations, resentment among neighbors, and an unhappy home.

 

So, what is the alternative?

 

The alternative is sitting down with your neighbors in a neutral setting, with a neutral party, and coming up with a solution both parties can live with. This is mediation, where opportunity is created from conflict, and where repairing harm is valued over punishment. And, it's right in your backyard.

 

CRC logo

 

Located at 2101 Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis, the Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) is a community resource that provides mediation for common disputes that either do not give rise to a legal claim or, if left unresolved, may result in a crime.

 

CRC is run by volunteer, trained mediators who are community members themselves, and reflect the people who come to the mediation table.

 

Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and respects the rights of all involved. In mediation, parties are able to speak about their concerns, address their needs, and get at the deeper issues which often underlie a dispute. And, because the mediation process is built on self-determined decision-making, parties are able to create true, lasting peace.

 

CRC provides conflict resolution services in courts, neighborhoods, in schools, between family members, landlords and tenants, and victims and offenders. In addition, we mediate business cases, facilitate conflict resolution sessions for larger groups and provide arbitration services and public housing hearings. CRC also provides regular mediators in Hennepin County Housing, Juvenile, and Harassment Courts.

 

Recent conflicts that have been successfully resolved through mediation include:

  • A landlord-tenant dispute where the tenant was six months behind on rent and faced eviction. In mediation, the landlord listened to the tenant's explanation as to why the rent was behind, and the tenant heard the impact her non-payment of rent had on the landlord's ability to pay the mortgage. Together, the parties came up with an immediate payment plan making-up the rent owed - and the tenant stayed in her home.
  •  A dispute between neighbors, where residents of the group home next door were making noise late at night, smoking in close proximity to their neighbor's windows, and disrupting a family's life for years, without resolution. By sitting down with neutral mediators, the parties had a conversation in which they each heard the other party's concerns. After four years of seemingly unresolvable conflict, the parties left with an agreement containing solutions they wrote themselves.
  • A dispute between family members where the teenage son was staying out past curfew, ignoring homework and becoming disruptive at school. Trained mediators were able to help family members improve communication and make a plan for how they were going to live together.

So before you call 911 for a non-emergency, first call 612.822.9883, because CRC may help you address the wrongdoing in a low or no cost process that brings people together to find lasting and effective solutions to conflict.

 

Whatever your conflict, big or small, mediation works - and CRC can help.

 

For more information, visit www.crcminnesota.org.

Q&A with a Council Member

CM Meg Tuthill reports from Ward 10

Each council member we feature in this Q&A section is asked the same 5 questions to get a snapshot of what's happening in their ward.


Don't know what ward you're in? It's easy to find out! Check the city's interactive map at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/council/ or use the city's Ward Finder at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/about/maps/ward-finder.asp 

to search by your address.  

 

CM Meg Tuthill, Ward 10
CM Meg Tuthill, Ward 10

 

1. What are the current initiatives in your ward?

Transportation initiatives have been big in the 10th ward. The Leading Pedestrian Interval solution that was added at Hennepin and Lake and Lagoon and Hennepin has made a huge difference in pedestrian safety. Public Works staff will be implementing it at other intersections in the City. I am also working on adding bike lanes to 36th Street and possibly to 31st Street to create safer routes for bicyclists to travel. I have been working diligently with other council members and staff to reopen Nicollet Ave at Lake Street for cars, bikes and pedestrians.

 

With the large amount of business, and specifically restaurants, in the 10th Ward, I am currently working with Council Member Gary Schiff to change the ordinance requirement of 60/40 to 50/50. 60/40 refers to the City ordinance requiring restaurants outside of downtown to generate 60% of their sales from food and 40% from alcohol. With many restaurants taking part in the craft beer and signature wine popularity boom, many have struggled to meet the 60/40 requirement. Changing the requirement to 50/50 will greatly benefit the restaurants in our ward and throughout the City.

 

Recycling is very important to the constituents in Ward 10. I had one of the two single sort pilot programs in the East Calhoun neighborhood last year. Solid Waste and Recycling will finish rolling out single sort citywide in June and I am very excited about it. This summer I will have an intern assessing multiple unit residential buildings to make sure they are in compliance with the City's recycling ordinances. East Calhoun is also doing an organics composting pilot program which I have received a lot of positive feedback on. I would like that program to be implemented Citywide.

 

2. What are the current public safety strategies in your ward?

Working with the 5th Precinct and other stakeholders, the "Revitalize Nicollet" group was pulled together to keep Nicollet Ave safe. I continue to work with residents and neighborhoods on problem properties, especially those that are vacant and boarded. I continue to be a strong advocate of using those two 3 digit numbers that can answer any question or issue you might have - 911 and 311! The operators are there to help. 

 

3. What is your best advice for personal and property safety?

Please, please remember to lock your doors and lock up your property! Get out and get to know your neighbors. You'll build awareness of any issues that are or might occur on your block and will better be able to address those issues as a whole. Be aware of your surroundings when out and about. Most importantly, trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable or aren't sure of a situation, get out of there. It's better to be safe then to risk a bad situation!

 

And remember, call 911 in you see anything suspicious, even if you are unsure if the situation warrants it. Let the 911 operator and police decide how your issue can be handled best.

  

4. What is your favorite police show?

I don't watch too many police shows but I do love Masterpiece Theater and mystery shows in general. 

 

5. How can you be contacted?

You can contact me via email or phone. My staff and I are always happy to help!

 

Phone: 612-673-2210

 

I also hold a monthly constituent get together, Meet with Meg. It's held the second Monday of every month from noon to 1pm at the 5th Precinct's Community Room (3101 Nicollet Ave). Bring your lunch, I provide treats and lemonade.

Protecting witnesses and victims

Witness tampering, harassment, and more
Information from Community Attorney Jennifer Saunders
   
woman looking out window

Many people are concerned about reporting crimes that they witness because they fear harassment or retaliation from the perpetrators of the crime. There are several laws in place to protect witnesses and victims of crime, both for reporting a crime and for testifying in court. These protections enable citizens to participate in the criminal justice system and contribute to public safety by reporting crime with less fear for their own safety.

 

There is a law that makes tampering with a witness a crime. This law includes protections for people who report crime to law enforcement, and people who are witnesses in the more traditional sense of testifying in court. 

 

The law protects against intimidation and threats against a person who is a witness and it protects witnesses from retaliation for reporting a crime or testifying in court.

 

Minnesota Statute 609.498 addresses all these forms of witness tampering. If someone prevents or dissuades, or attempts to prevent or dissuade, by means of force or threats of injury to persons or property, a witness from attending or testifying at a court proceeding, that is a felony level offense and can be punished by up to five years in prison.  

 

 

This protection also applies to:

  • witnesses giving information about a crime to law enforcement
  • trying to get a witness to provide false information to law enforcement or testify falsely
  • retaliation

Retaliation 

If someone causes injury or threatens to cause injury to a person or property in retaliation for providing information to law enforcement or testifying as a witness, they are also guilty of this offense. This protection applies for up to one year after providing information or testimony, or one year after the perpetrator's release from jail or prison, whichever is later. If the perpetrator engages in this behavior and the threats include an implicit or explicit credible threat to cause great bodily harm or death, the offense is aggravated and can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

 

There are lesser degrees of this offense for different means of persuasion. If a perpetrator uses a threat to unlawfully injure a business or profession or a threat to expose a secret, publish a defamatory statement, or otherwise to expose any person to disgrace or ridicule or a threat to bring criminal charges, whether true or false, in order to similarly tamper with a witness in any of the manners listed above (prevent them reporting crime, testifying, provide false testimony, etc.), that is a gross misdemeanor offense carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail. If the perpetrator uses intimidation to do the same thing, it is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

 

Read the details at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.498

 

Victim's (and witness's) Rights 
There are also protections for victims and witnesses of crime contained in the Victim's Rights provisions found in Minnesota Statute 611A.01 et al.
These provide protections and rights of notification for victims of crime.

 

A victim has a right to request that law enforcement withhold public access to data regarding the victim's identity. In addition, the prosecutor may elect not to disclose a victim's or witness's home or employment address, telephone number, or date of birth if the prosecutor can show that the victim or witness of a crime has safety concerns and that this information is not relevant to the prosecution's case. A witness also cannot be compelled to give this information in open court unless the court finds that it is relevant to the case.  

 

The defense does generally need access to a potential witness for interview so the court can order that the information is released to defense counsel but not the defendant, or can order the prosecutor to set up a meeting where the defense counsel can interview the witness if the witness agrees. A prosecutor also has to make a reasonable attempt to contact a victim of a crime before a plea negotiation is entered into in the case and the victim has a right to make a statement at the court proceeding.

  
justicegreen 

 

Harassment 

Another related concern for many people can be ongoing harassment by someone they have reported for criminal behavior, or for anyone who is harassing them. The law provides protections for victims of this behavior as well. 

 

Someone who is being persistently harassed by an individual, to include a single incident of assault or repeated incidents of intrusive or unwanted acts, words, or gestures that have a substantial adverse effect or are intended to have a substantial adverse effect on the safety, security, or privacy of another, targeted residential picketing or a pattern of attending public events after being notified that the individual's presence at the event is harassing to another, can petition the court for a Harassment Restraining Order under Minnesota Statute 609.748.  

 

Once the order is issued and served on the other party, it is a criminal offense to violate the order. The initial violation of the order is a misdemeanor offense but they are enhanceable offenses. This means that additional offenses are more serious and can eventually be felony level offenses after two previous convictions. These orders are different from Orders for Protection in that there does not need to be a family or household relationship between the parties. You can get a Harassment Restraining Order against someone regardless of your relationship with them.

 

For more information on restraining orders, visit the Restraining Order Self-Help Center on the 2nd floor of the Government Center downtown, or call (612) 348-9399. You can also call (612) 348-5073 for domestics (OFP) or (612) 348-6738 for harassment (HRO). To read the statute, visit: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.748

 

Stalking 

Stalking is also a criminal offense, whether or not there is a restraining order in place. Under Minnesota Statute 609.749, stalking is defined engaging in conduct which the actor knows or has reason to know would cause the victim under the circumstances to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated, and causes this reaction on the part of the victim regardless of the relationship between the actor and victim.  

 

A stalking offense is a gross misdemeanor offense, with a maximum sentence of one year in jail, and includes the following behaviors:  

  • manifests a purpose or intent to injure the person, property, or rights of another by the commission of an unlawful act
  • follows, monitors, or pursues another, whether in person or through any available technological or other means
  • returns to the property of another if the actor is without claim of right to the property or consent of one with authority to consent
  • repeatedly makes telephone calls, sends text messages, or induces a victim to make telephone calls to the actor, whether or not conversation ensues
  • makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring
  • repeatedly mails or delivers or causes the delivery by any means of letters, telegrams, messages or packages.  

The offense is aggravated and punishable as a felony with up to five years in prison if the perpetrator commits the offense because of any offense the victim's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin, by falsely impersonating another, while possessing a dangerous weapon, with intent to influence or tamper with a juror or judicial proceeding, or to retaliate against a judicial officer, or if the victim is under the age of 18 and the perpetrator is more than 36 months older than the victim. The offense is also a felony of the perpetrator has a prior conviction for the offense.

 

To read the full details of what is included, visit https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.749

 

Reporting crime makes a huge contribution to public safety.  

If you have any concerns regarding your safety with regard to reporting a crime, let the police know.  

 

All of us in the criminal justice system want to make sure that citizens can safely report crime and participate in the criminal justice system.

 

Once a case is charged, there are Victim Witness Assistants within the prosecutor's office that can help navigate the criminal justice process. They are excellent sources of information and will make sure any witnesses in a criminal case know what is going on and what is expected of them.

 

Looking for more resources?

Many resources related to victims' rights can be found at MN Department of Public Safety's Office of Justice Programs crime victim help center: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/help-for-crime-victims/Pages/default.aspx

 

MN VINELink allows victims to search for custody status information regarding an offender and receive alerts if s/he is released from custody: https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=24002

 

The MN Secretary of State's Safe at Home program is an address confidentiality program that provides mail forwarding for persons who have reason to fear an aggressor learning of where to find them: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=1473

 

If you need information on domestic abuse, check the Minnesota Domestic Abuse Project at http://www.domesticabuseproject.com/. DAP dedicates its resources to breaking the cycle of violence and helping families transform from crisis to healthy and safe relationships. There are advocates who can help and through them you should be able to find more resources.

 

Note that this is not a complete list. With some research, you may find many more resources dependent on your particular situation. If you need social services help, call First Call for Help at 211 or (651) 291-0211. 

Notorious Notables

Follow up on some crimes in Fifth Precinct

 

 

Kevin Lamarr Mason
Kevin Lamarr Mason 10/31/1984

 

January 8, 2013

 

Three parties were waiting in their vehicle for a friend outside of an apartment complex on the 3400 block of Colfax Av S around 7:20 p.m. when they were approached by three suspects.  One of the suspects displayed a gun and demanded their wallets and cell phones.  The suspects then fled the scene on foot.  

 

A fingerprint was left on the door handle of the vehicle which came back to Kevin Lamarr Mason 10/31/1984 of Andover.  Victims positively identified Mason as the party with the gun. 

 

Mason was arrested for and charged with three counts of first degree aggravated robbery.

 

 

Superbowl Sunday Robberies

February 3, 2013- While many people were watching the Ravens and Giants battle for the Superbowl title, six teenagers were wreaking havoc through a large swath of the Fifth Precinct.  Between the hours of 4:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., these juveniles committed six armed robberies.  

 

The locations included: 

  • 42nd and Grand
  • 39th and Pleasant
  • 1000 block of Kenwood Pkwy
  • 27th and Dupont
  • 3100 block of Hennepin 
  • 1800 block of Clinton

A weapon was used in all of the incidents.  It was found to be a realistic, BB gun which resembled a handgun.  Three of the suspects were located driving a stolen vehicle shortly after the last incident.  

 

Through questioning and investigation, a total of six juveniles were arrested and charged with varying counts of aggravated robbery. Due to their ages, no photos or names can be released.

  

Brian Pierre Swearegene
Brian Pierre Swearegene 1/31/1988

 

 

Shakia Denise Freeman
Shakia Denise Franklin 12/6/1994

March 14, 2013- The victim was clearing snow and ice from a driveway in the 2800 block of Stevens Av when Brian Pierre Swearegene 1/31/88 and another unidentified male approached him, hit the victim with a shovel and took his wallet and cell phone.  The victim was able to watch the suspects get into a vehicle which was waiting for them in the alley and noted the driver's description. He was treated for minor injuries.  

 

Because of similar incidents that had occurred in the area, investigators were able to determine that Swearegene and Franklin were possible suspects in this robbery as well.  

 

Swearegene and Franklin 12/6/94 were charged with first degree aggravated robbery.

 

Richard NMN Lopez
Richard NMN Lopez 4/2/82

 

March 20, 2013

 

Around 12:15 a.m., officers received a call involving a robbery of business that had just occurred in the 700 block of W. Lake St.  

 

The suspect entered the store and walked through the "employee only" doors leading to the back of the store.  He demanded that the employee open the register.  The employee fled the store and called the police instead.  The suspect was unable to open the register and fled on foot.  

 

Officers located a party matching the suspect description and foot chase ensued.  

 

The party was taken into custody and identified as the suspect.  Richard NMN Lopez 4/2/1982 was charged with felony theft from person and fleeing.  He is also being investigated for another crime in the precinct. 

Spanish Outreach
with Crime Prevention Specialist John Reed
Spanish Language Specialist Crime Prevention Specialist John Reed
Spanish Language Outreach Specialist John Reed

 

Scam Alert

 

Be on the alert for scams. With the troubled economy more and more culprits are relying on the kindness and gullibility of others to make a dishonest profit. Examples include appealing to the goodness of others, well-dressed people going door-to-door asking for money for a broken down car or sick child or phone calls from people representing companies with additional services for huge discounts but ask the victim to pay by cash card directly to them.

 

Anytime a stranger offers you something way below cost usually means it was stolen.

 

Also, guard yourself when buying anything of value from a private party or lending money to a friend or relative. Write up a receipt or contract listing the buyer, seller and property involved along with a payment schedule, if need be. 

 

And, always have all parties involved sign a copy along with a witness. 

Demand proof of identity and proof of address and contact information. If any of the parties declines these requests DO NOT participate in this sale or loan.

 

signature
  

 

 

Alerta de Estafa

 

Estar alerta de estafas. Con la econom�a en problemas cada vez m�s culpables est�n confiando en la bondad y la credulidad de los dem�s para obtener ganancias deshonestas. Ejemplos incluyen apelando a la bondad de los dem�s, personas bien vestidas van de puerta en puerta pidiendo dinero para un coche averiado o ni�o enfermo o llamadas telef�nicas de personas que representan a empresas con servicios adicionales para grandes descuentos, pero pide a la v�ctima a pagar por tarjeta de efectivo directamente a ellos.

 

Cada vez que un extra�o le ofrece algo de manera abajo costo significa generalmente que fue robado.

 

Tambi�n, guarda usted mismo al comprar cualquier cosa de valor de una persona privada o pr�stamo de dinero a un amigo o pariente. Redactar un documento o contrato listado el comprador, el vendedor y la propiedad junto con un horario de pagos, si es necesario. Y siempre con todas las partes involucradas firman una copia junto con un testigo. Exigir prueba de identidad y prueba de direcci�n e informaci�n de contacto. Si cualquiera de las partes rechaza estas solicitudes no participar en esta venta o pr�stamo.

 

Cuando hay dudas, no lo haga, o llame a John Reed para consejo en 612-673-5579.

 

Trespassing in Minneapolis
Information from Community Attorney Jennifer Saunders
  

Utilizing the laws regarding trespass is one of the easiest ways that owners, occupants and employees of residences and businesses can prevent continued criminal behavior. Privately owned property can be made off limits to people committing crimes or causing disturbances on the property. Many people are aware of the general concept of trespass, but perhaps not the full parameters of the law or the best way to go about trespassing someone.

 

There exist various laws regarding trespass. The two most applicable to the majority of situations and property in Minneapolis are the state statute found at Minnesota Statute 609.605 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.605) and the Minneapolis City Ordinance found at section 385.380 (search at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/government/ord/index.htm).

 

Both of these laws deal with trespass from private property and the crimes associated with being at that property without permission or authority.

  

Minnesota Statute 609.605 covers several different trespass offenses. The most commonly applied are the provisions that prohibit:

  • trespassing on the premises of another and refusing to depart from the premises on demand of the lawful possessor 
  • returning to the property of another within one year after being told to leave the property and not to return.

These are the most common forms of trespass:

  • Someone refuses to leave private property when told by a lawful possessor (owner, resident, employee, security, or police officer per their request)
  • Someone is informed they cannot return to the property (they are "trespassed" from the property) and they return before the trespass period expires. That period can be up to one year. 
  • This statute also prohibits someone from coming into a locked building or a vacant and posted building without consent. 
    • A defense for a potential trespass crime is if the person had a claim of right (for example you cannot be trespassed from your own residence or property) or they were allowed to return to the property by someone who had the authority to give that consent.

Minneapolis City Ordinance 385.380 provides similar protections. It also prohibits:

  • refusing to leave a property when demanded to do so by a lawful possessor or agent
  • returning to the property when told to leave and not return for a specified period of time (again up to one year)
  • entering a locked or posted property of another, or condemned or boarded or abandoned property, without claim of right or consent. 
The additional protection under the ordinance is enforcement of No Trespassing signs.

  

No Trespassing signs and form

 

The ordinance is the enforcement mechanism for the yellow No Trespassing signs you see on buildings throughout Minneapolis and allows police officers to cite or arrest someone with no claim of right at the property. If previously authorized by the lawful possessor, they could enforce the trespass notice the signs provide without having to involve anyone at the property in most situations.

 

The signs provide the required notice under the law and streamline the process for removing people from private property when they have no reason to be there. 

 

Examples of this would be:

  • people hanging out on the property in front of an apartment building when they do not live there and are not guests of anyone who lives there
  • being on the private property of a store without being a customer.

Trespassing offenses under the statute and the ordinance are misdemeanor level offenses, however convictions under the statute are enhanceable, which means it can become a gross misdemeanor offense. 

  

How to Trespass an Individual

 

Under the statute and the ordinance, there are a couple of ways to effectively have someone removed from your property and keep them from returning. 

 

First of all, if someone is on your private property and refuses to leave upon your demand to do so, that is an immediate trespass and you should call the police for their removal and possible criminal charge. If you wish to prevent someone from returning to your property for up to a year, you must specifically demand that and give them notice that they are prohibited from returning and for what period of time.

 

 

One of the most common issues prosecutors face with proving trespass crimes is the notice requirement. We have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person was given notice that they were trespassed and for how long. 

 

If you call the police for someone trespassing on your property because they returned to the property after being told on a previous occasion to leave and not return for a certain period of time, we will need proof of the date they were trespassed and who informed them. The very best way to do this is with the written trespass notice. (Found under Forms at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/police/crimeprevention/index.htm, along with the affidavit for the yellow No Trespassing signs.)

 

We have had many trespass cases go to court only to discover that we cannot prove notice because there is no record of who trespassed the person and when. Without that information we cannot prove the offense. 

 

Some businesses and larger, multi-unit residences keep lists of who is trespassed. These are a good place to start, but we still have to prove that the person was actually given notice that they were not to return and for what time period. Stating that they were "previously trespassed" is not enough. If a copy of the trespass notice is provided to the police precinct, we can keep it on file for easy access for our officers and prosecutors.

 

Some things to keep in mind when trespassing someone:

  • It's a good idea to have a (preferably neutral) third party with you so the person being trespassed can't say you did not trespass him/her
  • Make three copies of the form-- one you keep on hand should the person trespass in the future, one you can provide to the person being trespassed should they accept it, and one to send to MPD. You can drop the police copy off at the Fifth Precinct, 3101 Nicollet Ave.
  • The person is supposed to sign the form. If they refuse, mark it "refused"
  • It is best if you can put on the form the full name and date of birth of the person being trespassed, as this information goes into a city database

To obtain the yellow No Trespass signs for your property, fill out the affidavit form on the Crime Prevention Resources page and bring it into the precinct. Officers will be able to provide you your choice of the signs in English, Spanish and Somali.  

Somali Outreach
with Somali Crime Prevention Specialist Ahmed Hassan
MPD Somali Liaison Ahmed Hassan
MPD Somali Liaison Ahmed Hassan

 

Texting while driving:

 

Driver distraction is a leading crash factor in Minnesota, accounting for around 20 percent of all crashes annually, resulting in at least 70 deaths and 350 injuries, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.

 

In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts/emails, and access the Web on a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic, such as at a stoplight or stuck in traffic. It is also illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone at any time.

 

"Distractions cause drivers to react more slowly to traffic conditions or events, such as a vehicle stopping or pulling out in traffic. A University of Utah study reports that using a cell phone while driving, whether hands-free or hand-held, delays a driver's reactions as much as having an alcohol-concentration level of 0.08 percent. And when texting, drivers take their eyes off the road for up to 4.6 out of every 6 seconds - equivalent to traveling the length of a football field at 55 mph hours without looking up.

 

Tips to minimize distractions:

  • Hang Up and Drive; Turn off cell phone, or place it out of reach.
  • If on a phone conversation with someone driving, ask them to call you back.
  • Texting, emailing and Web use while driving is illegal in Minnesota -
  • Including when stopped in traffic.

 

28/Henn
 

 

Diridda farriin qoraal ah adigoo baabuurka wada:

 

Darawaliinta aan foojigneyn ee wax kale ku mashquulsan waa sababta ugu horeysa gobolka Minnesota ee shilalka keenta.taas waxay keentay in waaxda badbaadada dadweynaha xafiiskeeda taraafikada ay soo saartay warbixin caddeynaya in boqolkiiba 20% shilalkaas ay keenaan dhimasho 70 qof sanadkiiba iyo 350 qof oo dhaawacanta.

 

Gobolka Minnesota waa mamnuuc in fariin qoral ah amd farrinta electoroonikada ah aad sameyso adigoo wada baabuurka, ama taagan nalka samaafaraha ama Shabakada interneetka aad gasho waxaa kale oo sharci darro ah in darawaliinta dad'dooda ay ka yartahay 18 jir in marnaba isticmaalaan telefoonka.

 

Darawalada aan foojignayn si dhaqso ah wax ugama qabtaan xaaladaha taraafikada eek a horeeya ama waxyaabaha dhacaya sida: baabuurka ka horreeya haddii uu istaago ama babburkale uu soo galeyo wadad. Cilmi baaris ay samaeysay jaamacad ku taalla gobolka Utah ayaa lagu sheegay in isticmaalka telefoonka( gacanta ku hay ama ha kuheynin) ay isku mid tahay oo aay dib u dhigto darawalka ficilkiis uuna la mid yahay sida qof khamriga jirkiis ku jira uu la egyahay 0.08%. marka farriin lagu qorayo telefoonka, darawalka waxay indhihiisu ka jeedsadaaan 4.6 second 6dii sekanba taas oo u dhiganta socdaal la dherar ah garoonka kubbadda cagta, adigoo ku socotid 55 mayl saacadiiba adigoon waxba fiirinayn.

 

Talooyinka yareynta foojig la' aanta:

 

  • Telefooka ha ku hadlin, iska xir gabi ahaanba oo meel aan dhaweyn dhig.
  • Haddii aad qof la hadleysid baabuur wada, u sheeg in uu kugu soo celiyo.
  • Waa mamnuuc gobolka Minnesota isticmaalka farriinta qoraalka ah ee telefoonka, farriinta electroonikada ama isticmaalka shabakada interneetka adigoo wada baabuur and nalka smaafarha taagan.
  • Xitaa hadii ay wadada jiq ay noqota.
Workshops & Events 
Upcoming crime prevention and community events

The Minneapolis Police Department's Crime Prevention unit would like to invite you to the following workshops. 

 

Fifth Precinct Open House

 

Tuesday May 14

5-7 pm

5th Precinct  

3101 Nicollet Av


*parking in the visitor's lot just south of 31st St on 1st Av, on the street, or follow signs on that day

 

 

 

Rental Property Owner Workshops 

 

  for rent      CCP/SAFE badge
 
These free workshops are designed for rental property owners in Minneapolis. (You must own rental property in Minneapolis. This information is Minneapolis-specific and does not replace education in other municipalities.)
 
2013 Workshops:

May 15

June 19

July 17

August 21

September 18

October 16

November 13

December 11

 
All workshops are 6-9 pm, on Wednesdays, at the 5th Precinct, 3101 Nicollet Av S 55408. 
 
The agenda for all 2013 workshops is:  
* The ABC's of Rental Property Management
* Criminal Conduct on Licensed Premises
* Legislative updates and resources available to owners and managers of rental property owners
* Working with the MPD

RSVP by email only to [email protected]. Include your contact information and list of rental properties you oversee.

We will email the workshop presentations and our Rental Property Owners Manual in advance of each workshop to those who are registered.
 
**NOTE: above dates, locations and times may be subject to change. Always check for the most up-to-date information at the RPOW page on the city website or by contacting Luther Krueger.
CPS GPS
CPS GPS newsletter 7
  

 

The Crime Prevention Specialists are lost somewhere in Fifth Precinct. Can you tell where they are? Double entry if you can say what room they are in.

 

If you can, send the answer to [email protected] for a chance to win a small prize or something fun.

 

The deadline for entries is May 14, 2013. We will contact you via email if you win.

 

Don't know the boundaries of Fifth Precinct? We can help!

 

 

Precinct 5 Boundaries  

 

 

The Minneapolis Police Department Fifth Precinct is dedicated to protecting the public and serving our communities. Thank you for your help in making Southwest Minneapolis a safe place to live, work and play.

Sincerely,


Inspector Tony Diaz

5th Precinct Minneapolis Police Department 

IN THIS ISSUE
Inspector's Insights
Open House May 14, 5-7 pm
Be a Block Leader: Click Send
Summer Youth Programs
Everyday Heroes
Resolving Community Conflicts Yourself
Q&A with CM Tuthill
Protecting Witnesses and Victims
Notorious Notables
Spanish Outreach: Scam alert
Trespassing in Minneapolis
Somali Outreach: Texting while driving
Workshops & Events
CPS GPS
  
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