Eric Sterling, the president of The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, who also runs his own “Justice & Drugs” blog, has reprinted an article from Minnesota’s Pioneer Press detailing a community policing scheme that started a few days ago in North Minneapolis: a free lemonade stand.
After a successful day-long trial at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and Six Street North, when 400 kids turned up and 25 gallons of lemonade was drunk, police decided to launch it full time. Two to five armed police officers will man the 10×10 foot tent/lemonade stand, with a basketball hoop set up in the half of the street that has been closed off. The area was chosen because out of 30 reported murders in Minneapolis this year, 16 took place in the precinct in which the intersection can be found.
Residents and community activists interviewed for the story were pleased with the initiative, which is aimed at not only increasing police visibility but also their respectability in the neighbourhood, with passers-by able to ask questions. They also obviously hope it will deter crime. The location will be moved each Friday to other neighbourhoods with high incidences of crime.
Although police at the intersection reported a dramatic drop in activity at three nearby drug houses as a result of their presence, the challenge will be when the police or indeed the criminals move on to other neighbourhoods. While Governor Tim Pawlenty and city police officials also announced that an agreement had been made with the State Patrol to increase police presence in North Minneapolis, it is how they act and are seen as acting while undertaking all their duties and types of assignments that will be vital to addressing the concerns of residents.