In part 1 of this analysis I present some cold hard facts.  Let there be no doubt that overall we are a safer city than we were 30 years ago.  However behind the positive overall results there are some less encouraging undercurrents.  In this post I will address some facts, observations, and myths that can be hidden in overall data.

Here are “Other” thoughts: Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a link to the postbulletin.com article on CAPS and Kutzky Park’s own Susan Todzy.

“I think what we’re really trying to capture is neighbor-to-neighbor (communication),” said Susan Todzy, who heads the 16-member Citizens Advisors for Public Safety (CAPS) group.

Good job community organizers and activists!

Olmsted County Court Statistics.  Note that this covers Olmsted County and not just Rochester.  Also not that these figures just go back to 2000.

Case Stats 2000-2009

Case Stats 2010

In anticipation of the upcoming MPR forum on crime and perceptions, I requested some crime statistics from Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson. He was kind enough to send me some crime data and analysis.  In crime, there is perception and reality.  Both are important in our community.  The reality is that we are a safer city today than we were 35 years ago, though it may not feel that way. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is an event invitation from MPR.

Hello from MPR,

I’m the new community relationship manager at MPR and I wish there were
time to talk to each of you about your experience with crime and public
safety in Rochester.  I’m hopeful you’ll be able to attend our free
event at the Mayo Civic Center Tues, Feb. 1 (7-8:30 with a free
reception + food before).  I hope you can find time to RSVP and perhaps
even send me a call or email with your thoughts and perspectives.

There’s an online discussion in progress at
http://www.publicinsightnetwork.org/user/form_display.php?isPIJ=Y&form_code=746c845d2a62

I also hope you’ll print, forward, distribute the flyer Renee attached
(I’ll attach it again) so we can have as lively and diverse and audience
as possible in the interest of making real progress on the issue.

Please do call or email if you have questions, thoughts,
suggestions…and thanks to Renee for all the help so far.  Look forward
to meeting many of you in person.

Laurie

Laurie Stern
Community Relationship Manager
Minnesota Public Radio

Flyer

I don’t typically weigh in or make public on personal / HR matters, but I do want to make some information available for the community.  Read the rest of this entry »

Landlords laws regarded as good compromise

From the Post Bulletin:

It’s not what anyone involved would call perfect, but a set of new rental-housing ordinances is viewed by landlords as acceptable and by city council members as an improvement.

“It’s a good step forward,” said council member Michael Wojcik. “This takes care of a lot of problems. I would have liked to have seen it tougher than it is, but I think we will go back and revisit it … in the future.”

The city council approved the ordinances last week by a series of 7-0 and 6-1 votes. Wojcik cast the dissenting vote after one ordinance was changed, weakening it more than he could abide.

My priority has been and will continue to be the safety and quality of life in my neighborhoods.

I am required to provide another update as there was an early morning change that the city council made that I feel is soft on crime and puts public safety at greater risk.  I was caught completely unaware of this when Ed Hruska brought it up at the end of a five and a half hour meeting. Read the rest of this entry »

As I have stated time and time again:

• Most of our landlords are responsible and law abiding, some are not.
• The city council has never shut down a good landlord.
• Public safety is the number one priority. Read the rest of this entry »

I went up to vote absentee today, as I will likely be out of my precinct on election day.  Near the voting area there was an absolutely heartbreaking display about domestic violence in Minnesota.  There is a photo or rendering of 2009 victims of domestic abuse that lost their life.  The display included a number of infants and children.  It was not lost on me that I was viewing this on the 8th anniversary of the death of Paul & Sheila Wellstone.  These 2 were among the foremost in advocating for victims.  I have no policy or point to make, I just think that if you have the chance you should to to the government center and see the display.