Blue-state businesses in the birthplace of the ‘Defund the Police’ movement sue city over inadequate policing

Is Minneapolis having second thoughts about its ‍poor relationship with‌ law enforcement?

A⁣ group of small-business‌ owners are suing the progressive city’s government, taking​ exception‌ to the city’s policing policies, The Associated Press reported ⁤this week.

The business⁤ owners aren’t claiming the Minneapolis​ Police Department is too strict.

The community members say‌ they’ve been abandoned to an onslaught of crime and want the city ​to take more aggressive action around “George Floyd Square,” ‍describing the area as a chaotic hub.

“The mayor, the city, the city council, and the⁤ Minneapolis Police Department collectively agreed⁤ to severely limit police‌ response in the barricaded area surrounding plaintiffs’ businesses,” reads the lawsuit, which ​was filed in state court in mid-November.

The businesses — including “Cup Foods,” the store in which George⁣ Floyd allegedly tried ‍to pass a counterfeit bill before his fatal encounter with police in May 2020 — say local cops only bother to show⁢ up for reports of the most​ serious crimes.

The plaintiffs also list⁢ Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other city officials as defendants.

The city was the birthplace of the “defund the police” ⁣rallying cry and the “Black Lives ⁣Matter” street terror movement in 2020, with rioters⁣ seizing a Minneapolis Police Department precinct and torching the building.

Pardon the language. Emotions very high. Raw footage next to police precinct. Several protestors chanting while the minneapolis​ police station burns to the ground.

Stop KILLING BLACK BODIES. CHARGE THESE COPS. INVEST ⁣IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/IkIj2JwhbJ

—​ Mike Griffin (@votegriffin) May ⁢29, 2020

The square is heavily decorated in tributes to Floyd.

Fatal shooting at ‘George Floyd Square’

This is now the 55th homicide in Minneapolis this year.​ pic.twitter.com/xOSg2rVJRB

— Rebecca ​Brannon ​(@RebsBrannon) August 7, 2022

“Criminals know the area lacks ⁤police protection, and they have now made the area so ⁢dangerous⁤ that ‌it has ⁤become known as the ‘No Go Zone,’” the businesses allege in the lawsuit, according to WFTC-TV.

The businesses in the square are⁢ citing economic damages of $1.5 million, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

This isn’t the first time Minneapolis community members have implored their city ‍leaders for more police protection.

Minneapolis City Council members urged the department to⁣ do more to protect the community‌ in response to spiking violent ‍crime rates by the⁣ fall of 2020.

The council originally sought to do away ‍with the city’s ⁢police department entirely.

The city of Minneapolis hasn’t yet responded to the lawsuit.

The ⁣post provide adequate protection in the‍ area. They claim that ⁣the limited police response has led to a surge in criminal activity, making the neighborhood ⁣unsafe for both residents and businesses. The lawsuit argues ⁤that the city’s decision to restrict ‌police ⁤presence in the area has essentially created a “No Go Zone” where criminals⁤ can operate with impunity.

One ⁤of the businesses ‌affected by this situation⁣ is Cup Foods, the​ store where George Floyd allegedly used a counterfeit​ bill before his‌ fatal encounter with the‌ police. Cup Foods and other businesses in the area have reported significant economic damages as a result ​of the ⁣increased crime rates. They are seeking $1.5 million in compensation for the losses they have suffered.

It ​is important to note‍ the irony of the situation. Minneapolis, once at the forefront of the movement to defund the police, ⁤is now facing criticism for not doing enough to ensure public safety. The city’s progressive policies, which were intended to address systemic⁤ issues​ within ⁣law enforcement, have inadvertently left business owners feeling abandoned⁤ and exposed.

The lawsuit raises broader questions about the effectiveness of defunding the police and whether alternative​ approaches to public‍ safety can adequately ‌address the concerns of all community members. While the intentions behind reallocating funds may have been noble, it is⁣ clear that‍ the consequences need ​to be carefully considered.

Minneapolis is not alone in grappling with these challenges. Other cities that have embraced similar policies have also faced criticism and backlash. The case of Minneapolis serves as a cautionary tale for other⁣ communities considering defunding the police or implementing radical changes to law enforcement.

Ultimately, ‍finding the right balance between police reform and ensuring public safety remains a complex challenge. It requires careful consideration of the needs and concerns of all stakeholders, including small-business owners who play ⁢a vital role in the ‍community’s economic well-being. The lawsuit filed by these businesses in Minneapolis should serve as a wake-up call to reevaluate the ⁤impact of progressive policies on public safety and the potential unintended consequences they ⁤may have.

As the city continues to navigate its relationship with law enforcement, it is essential to find⁢ common ground​ that⁣ prioritizes both systemic change and the immediate safety and security of ​its residents and businesses. The outcome of this lawsuit and the broader conversation it sparks will undoubtedly shape the future direction of policing policies in Minneapolis and beyond.

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