Gangs of North Minneapolis
Friday night, February 27th, 17 year old Alisha Neeley caught what police believe was a stray bullet in the neck while standing outside a party, later pronounced dead at North Memorial. Gunfire was heard near that location the next night, one said Sunday as well. No suspects have been identified or arrested to date in what is almost certainly some form of gang violence.
Wednesday night, March 3rd, Rev. Efrem Smith of Sanctuary Covenant Church led a prayer walk to the site of the killing where a utility pole has become a decorated marker and memorial to Alisha. I was one of what I would guess was between 100 and 150 people. You may have seen her sister Helena's tearful, moving plea for this violence to end. "My sister died in vain if this does not stop," she said. Alisha was the tenth homicide victim this year. There were 19 all of last year.
Today, Saturday, March 6th, Alisha's funeral was held about noon. But at the end, a fight broke out, presumably another gang incident, not to mention a pair picked up passing a gun at the scene. I saw the aftermath from the bus I took downtown [Saturday] afternoon.
It all seems different now. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's the collapse of the gang task force. Maybe the gangs feel more bold with the Minneapolis police budget being cut, for purely political reasons I will add. But whatever it is, Mayor Rybak, who was at the prayer walk, needs to respond. He might start by keeping some of his previous promises.
The money to increase the police presence or whatever it takes obviously exists in a $ 1.3 billion budget, given that the police only account for about 10 percent of that. If the rules "siloing" funds are too tight, call Speaker Kelliher and get those rules relaxed. But respond, damn it, respond, before we lose another like Alisha.
Cross-posted and comments welcome at Speed Gibson.
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