Violence at home: Our community responds

Our community has been violated. On Friday, May 16, Tom Olson, a 19-year-old student at Northwestern College who grew up in South Minneapolis, went to a party given by a friend of a friend at 47th and Elliot. He was shot at the party and died the next week in the hospital. His funeral was held Wednesday, May 28, at Incarnation Catholic Church. Olson was unarmed and not a member of any gang. So far, no one has been arrested.

In April, three girls under the age of 17 were shot and wounded at 38th and Chicago. The person who shot them was aiming at someone else. One of the girls was hospitalized briefly and released. The injuries of the others were also not life threatening. No arrests have been made.

On November 22, 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards was fatally shot as she sat in her home doing her homework. Again, not the intended target, she was caught in the crossfire. Myon Burrell, 17, of Bemidji has been convicted of first-degree murder and will be sentenced on June 10.

When a community is punctured by sudden, violent tragedy, it responds very quickly. CCP/Safe Officer Dante Dean said the community bonded immediately and helped solve the murder of Tyesha Edwards. He said now the community needs to take back the streets. “I want a new gang to be on the street—that gang would be the community.”

People have been getting together in many formats in an attempt to ensure the safety and morale of the community.

Block clubs gathered throughout the Southside. One leader stated a strategy for dealing with suspected gang activity:

“The public’s use of the 911 system is essential to the control of gangs. The public has to take the time and make the effort to report illegal activity to 911. Timely, polite reporting of incidents, informed by descriptions of the suspects, helps concentrate police power where it is most useful, and keeps gang members off balance.”

About 100 people attended the regular meeting, on May 19 at Calvary Lutheran Church, of the 38th Street Task Force, a group that’s been operating for several years. Councilmembers Robert Lilligren and Gary Schiff were there as well as police officials, business owners and other community leaders. Pastor of Fountain of Life Gospel Church, Jim Halbur, said the attempt to identify problems and suggest solutions was very constructive. The feeling he got that “We’re all in this together,” has led him to organize the “Peace in Our Community Family Celebration,” a huge event to be held in Phelps Park from 2 to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, June 13 and 14 and June 20 and 21. The purpose is to bring out community leaders and concerned citizens so they can get to know each other and develop a stronger partnership base. And they want to send the message that “the people trying to do good outnumber the people trying to destroy the community.” The event will include inflatable games, a barbecue, prizes, live music from local churches, 3 on 3 basketball, face painting, words of encouragement and a fashion show. There will be appearances by City Councilmember Robert Lilligren, local businesses and representatives from Mad Dads, the local police, fire and health departments and the Red Cross.

About 100 people met on May 22 at McRae Park with Councilmember Scott Benson in response to the shooting at the party. People at the party who knew they were in danger and had called 911 before the shooting got a chance to find out why police response had been so slow. People shared their fear and anxiety about what might possibly happen next in their neighborhood.

Business owners met Wednesday, May 28, at Angel’s, a new Mexican restaurant at 38th and Chicago. They discussed ways to make their area less desirable for criminal activity, such as cleanup, lighting, bus shelters facing the street rather than businesses, no pay phones, planters, garbage cans, surveillance cameras and so on. They would like to scare away people with bad intentions.

On Thursday, May 29, Chief of Police Robert Olson called meetings in North and South Minneapolis to reassure people of the initiative the police force plans to impose this summer to deter street violence. Because of increased gang activity, the public needs to be vigilant.

Next week there will be more information about a reward offered for specific information pertaining to the shooting at 47th and Elliot.

Meetings are scheduled for neighbors in the 38th and Chicago area on June 16 (FFI contact crime prevention specialist Karen Skrivseth at 612-673-2856) and for neighbors in the 47th and Elliot area on June 12 at McRae Park (FFI contact crime prevention specialist Sue Roethele at 612-673-2839). Youth concerns and strategies will be discussed.