Mpls. police prepare for summer crime rise with the help of volunteers
An effort to help law enforcement prevent crime is powered by volunteers, including one with a particular knowledge of the justice system.
Alonzo Elem spent 27 months in prison for second degree assault.
"I was one of those people who brought the community down," Elem said. "And now I'm trying to build it back up to where it needs to be."
The 45-year-old is now a youth coordinator with the Minneapolis chapter of MAD DADS. It stands for Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder. Elem and other volunteers are part of the 12-year-old "SafeZone" initiative by the Minneapolis Police Department.
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Last summer, between 20 and 30 volunteered, though the number varies year to year. Elem has participated for the last three summers.
"Sometimes people just need someone to talk to," he said. "We listen...but we're also there to let them know you just can't act like a fool... you can't put people's lives in danger."
One night, while on foot patrol, he witnessed a man trying to stab a woman in a car.
"I stopped him from stabbing her," Elem said. "I called the police, and I was willing to testify.
"People have got it twisted that the police are our enemies. Some of these police officers actually live in our community. I want them to understand who we are. There's not an 'us' and 'them,' there's just an 'us.'"
Data show crimes increase as temperatures rise and school lets out. To deter crimes, Police Chief Janee Harteau said she'll increase the number of police officers on the streets through Labor Day weekend.
"Visibility means livability," said Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau. "We know that having that visible presence is key to not only preventing crime, but in helping people to feel safe."
Patrol teams will work afternoon and evening hours, and include officers from the Metro Transit Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said there's been an increase in gun violence over the last few months, and "it will not, shall not, cannot be tolerated."
"We want everyone to feel safe, as they take in sporting events, maybe musical performances, maybe lunch or dinner, or just those that live and work downtown here," he said.
Police also will be working more closely with private security companies and downtown businesses. All of this is welcome news to Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District.
"We have an incredible, growing, vibrant downtown. It's really taking its place of prominence on the national, even international stage, but that is built on a foundation of both the reality and the perception of safety," Cramer said, adding that SafeZone "shows our downtown community's cooperative spirit."