Is Minneapolis going to be the experiment for a policeless major city? (St. Paul: college, camp)

[T. Damon]

Well there goes the entire city’s property values, commercial and residential, down the tank.

[Enean]

Originally Posted by BlakeJones

This honorable councilmember is not walking back anything, he is saying exactly what was circulated in the media that they are working to replace the MPD with social workers.

The ONLY new thing he said in this facebook post is that the plan they come up with will be put to a citywide vote. So he just gave himself an out

My daughter is a social worker, and there is no way in he**, that she can replace a policeman. No. way.

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by Enean

My daughter is a social worker, and there is no way in he**, that she can replace a policeman. No. way.

She's not sociopathic enough for that. Kudos for raising your daughter right.

[YIMBY]

Originally Posted by Enean

My daughter is a social worker, and there is no way in he**, that she can replace a policeman. No. way.

What? You mean she can't step in and stop drunks from fighting or men from beating their wives after their favorite football team just lost? /s That violent time of the year is just around the corner.

[Teak]

Originally Posted by wamer27

News mentioned this morning that it would come down to a vote from all people in the city, not just 9 city council members high on something.

City councils vote on budgets, not the general population. That is why they can threaten to defund the police; they can't eliminate the police but if no money is allocated for salaries, then what? The city council can also rip up union contracts.

[Enean]

Originally Posted by llowllevellowll

She's not sociopathic enough for that. Kudos for raising your daughter right.

Thank you! She was a social worker in Milwaukee (now, a SAH mom), who had the meanest neighborhood in the city. She and an RN, would make their home visits early in the mornings (starting at 9ish), with the hope that those out late the night before, would be sleeping. She loved the people she worked with (geriatric population), and never had a problem. One thing she didn't like, though, were dogs locked behind a door, lunging at it to get out, as a stranger was in the house.

We've discussed this City Council plan for Minneapolis, and she said there is no way they could be expected to do the work of the police. For the most part, they are women, often younger, with a lot of empathy, who have their hearts in the right place, but they are not are not trained to control violence. If faced with violence, they call 911. Not sure how one would think a 911 call, should go to a social worker, neighbor, or family member, as proposed. I know they're backtracking now, on their plans revealed yesterday, but I think they're only backtracking, because of the uproar by many. Now, people are being pacified, and I say, their intent is still the same...they're just approaching it with a little more finesse.

[Teacher Terry]

As a former social worker some cities have crisis teams of a social worker and cop. The social worker de-escalates the situation and hopefully get the person some help. The cop is there in case it’s needed. One profession doesn’t completely replace the other. I worked in Wisconsin and was often sent into people’s homes alone. I did carry pepper spray. If I felt the client was dangerous I would meet them in a public place.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by Teak

City councils vote on budgets, not the general population. That is why they can threaten to defund the police; they can't eliminate the police but if no money is allocated for salaries, then what? The city council can also rip up union contracts.

The Minneapolis city charter requires a minimum number of police officers based on population. Currently, that number is 723 and the charter can’t be changed without a vote of the citizens of Minneapolis. Also, the city cannot “rip up” contracts. That’s basic contract law. Other than that, though, spot on post.

[wamer27]

Somebody mentioned on radio today, that the 9 council members broke a MN assembly law when they got together at this rally and started coming up with a plan.

What really needs to be changed is the police union. Top guy needs to be forced into retirement. I have a feeling this and procedures they have need to be redone.

[BlakeJones]

Originally Posted by wamer27

Somebody mentioned on radio today, that the 9 council members broke a MN assembly law when they got together at this rally and started coming up with a plan.

If true any taxpayer resident in Minneapolis would have standing to file a lawsuit. Who is going to do it first (I'm not holding my breath in seeing ACLU support)