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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