As I read the article regarding the park police removing the last Powderhorn Park encampment, I was left wondering, with two weeks of preparation: Why did the powers-that-be utilize law enforcement for this task? ("Park police remove last Powderhorn camp," front page, Aug. 15.) Where were the social workers, community leaders, citizen patrols and elected officials? We keep hearing that there are other groups better suited to peacefully doing tasks that law enforcement now is expected to resolve without conflict, injury or abusing the freedoms of peaceful groups. Here was a prime example where the elected officials who are in favor of defunding, disbanding and otherwise remaking law enforcement could have demonstrated how easily they would have removed this group. I am positive the police officers would have gladly stepped aside and let the "experts" show them how simple it is to accomplish without incident.
The only logical conclusion I can reach is that possibly it's a lot easier to condemn the police than proactively put your "solutions" to the test.
Steve Mengelkoch, Corcoran, Minn.
The writer is a retired law enforcement officer.
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As a resident of downtown Minneapolis, I am saddened by the Aug. 14 editorial, "Tent camps aren't the right solution." That may be accurate, but the promised 110 shelter beds available in the next three to four months are a drop in the bucket. Where are all the people chased from the parks to go? This is a complex issue, and the solutions must be nuanced yet bold. I expect more from my City Council and from my newspaper.
Judy Mackenzie, Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE
Some seemingly clear solutions
There seems to be some support for defunding the police. To me the need is to defund the military costumes that seem so prevalent among police departments. From the armored vehicles to the SWAT outfits, get rid of them and pull that money into specialized areas for community support. It would seem that if you dress someone up like they are part of an invading force, they will behave like an invading force. Put on blue shirts and badges and they will behave like the responsible dedicated civil servants they are. Of course, some always have been and always will be bullies. The union has to acknowledge that and deal with these individuals accordingly.
Mike Tierney, Wayzata
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I was very disappointed and frustrated to learn that the officer involved with the racist Christmas tree incident is back on the job ("Cop fired over racist holiday display rehired," front page, Aug. 14). After the killing of George Floyd, subsequent protests and the unfortunate destruction of parts of our beautiful city, one has to wonder why these reinstatements are still occurring. The citizens of Minneapolis have spoken loudly and have said that racist police officers are not wanted on our police force. What needs to happen to prevent an individual unelected arbitrator from overriding the collective voice of the citizens? Allowing Minneapolis to employ only those officers who can rise to the needs of our time is critical. I believe the Minneapolis police chief's decision should be final, but if arbitration must be a part of the solution, could this duty reside with officials who directly answer to an existing elected body involved with the administration of our city?
Frederick Law, Minneapolis
TRUMP IN MINNESOTA
More of the same. We don't want it.
President Donald Trump came to Minnesota on Monday under the premise of talking about jobs and the economy. Instead, he used the same divisive rhetoric and attacks that we've seen all along ("Trump flies to Minnesota, takes first swings over the Twin Cities riots," StarTribune.com, Aug. 17).
Minnesota is in pain and Minnesotans are hurting. COVID-19 has infected more than 65,000 people. Thousands of our neighbors are out of work. We should be coming together to heal and advance racial and economic justice. It doesn't help when the president further politicizes the killing of George Floyd and tries to pit us against one another. That won't heal our communities and rebuild trust in our neighborhoods. In contrast, Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris talk about the need to unite the country and restore the soul of the nation. Leaders should aim to bring us together, even when we disagree.