Simple things that could save minneapolis from turning into another crime ridden city. (St. Louis Park: violent crime, unemployment)

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by sicarim

uh

its been proven the three strike system doesnt work.

True. Illinois has some proof of that. Neither does the two strikes system. Ask the people in Atlanta.

[icequeen2008]

OK I'm dumb what the heck is the 3 strike system? I just want to say that I have lived in Bloomington for 5 years and have never felt unsafe. I hear of very little crim if any in this town.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Very true. Comparing Minneapolis to the suburbs does sound kind of farfetched. Brooklyn Center vs. Apple Valley might be more appropriate. Minneapolis vs. New Orleans, St. Louis, or other cities sounds more plausible.

Minneapolis has actually improved since the 1990's.

Why would you compare Mpls. to New Orleans? That is actually no better than comparing it to Apple Valley. To compare crime rates, you have to look at cities with similar characteristics. Denver, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Boston, et cetera.

[What!]

Yo Blinky, where are the prostitutes? I want to know for uh......educational purposes.

[JenLee]

Originally Posted by icequeen2008

OK I'm dumb what the heck is the 3 strike system? I just want to say that I have lived in Bloomington for 5 years and have never felt unsafe. I hear of very little crim if any in this town.

The 3 strike system is that 3 crimes (all felonies I think?) and you spend the rest of your life in jail.

I've lived in the Twin Cities for 35+ years, and through the years there have been a lot of crimes here. Although the most serious crime rate (murders) has declined, I think that more crimes are reported here than in similar-sized cities (but that is my own opinion based on visiting other cities and reading the police reports in the newspapers in those cities).

[Binky .357]

Originally Posted by What!

Yo Blinky, where are the prostitutes? I want to know for uh......educational purposes.

Just cruise Lake Street after dark, or stop at the White Castle in St. Louis Park at around 3AM some time. They'll come out of the woodwork...

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by JenLee

The 3 strike system is that 3 crimes (all felonies I think?) and you spend the rest of your life in jail.

I've lived in the Twin Cities for 35+ years, and through the years there have been a lot of crimes here. Although the most serious crime rate (murders) has declined, I think that more crimes are reported here than in similar-sized cities (but that is my own opinion based on visiting other cities and reading the police reports in the newspapers in those cities).

Three felonies.

[Oildog]

Originally Posted by Slig

I think legislation needs to be passed to improve prisons. The whole point of prisons is to rehabilitate so when the sentence has been served the individual can be released to start contributing to society in a positive way. The current system fails miserably at this, pretty clear to see when you look at how likely it is for somebody to be a repeat offender. If the correctional system is studied to see how it can be improved to help the rehabilitative effectiveness it would lower crime and keep prisons less full, hence saving taxpayers money.

Not sure if the people who are in prison want to rehabilitate. They are not usually the high achievers and 9 to 5 types.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Not sure if the people who are in prison want to rehabilitate. They are not usually the high achievers and 9 to 5 types.

A good number of people in prison pose more a threat to themselves than to society.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Not sure if the people who are in prison want to rehabilitate. They are not usually the high achievers and 9 to 5 types.

Yes but you're basing that on the assumption that some people are hopeless from the beginning and I don't believe this is true. I believe everybody has the capability to be a lawful and contributing citizen, some people just veer off course, get involved with the wrong people or are disgruntled because something happened to them or somebody they care about. Maybe it was caused by chemical abuse, a gambling addiction, domestic abuse or neglect beginning at a young age, etc.

The point is, I believe that people are capable of recovering and turn their life around, and that is the attitude that should be displayed in our prisons and other rehabilitation facilities. But hey, that's just my 2 cents.