A white, progressive Minneapolis neighborhood vowed not to call the police after the death of George Floyd now has a big problem on their hands and they have no idea what to do about it.
They now have a 300 person homeless encampment in their local park and residents are beginning to be extremely concerned about drug use and crime taking place in the park.
Powderhorn Park has turned into a homeless encampment after people were displaced from the civil unrest that occurred in the city during the George Floyd riots. One person has overdosed in the park and prostitution has been reported in the area.
Residents have agreed to “check their privilege” and “protect people of color” and are not reporting instances of property damage. Instead, they have vowed to seek help from the American Indian Movement, which was founded in 1968 to address systemic issues of poverty and police brutality against Native Americans and has been policing communities for years.
“I’m not being judgmental,” Carrie Nightshade, 44, told the Times, explaining she no longer allows her children, 12 and 9, to play in the park by themselves. “It’s not personal. It’s just not safe.”
One resident was upset at himself for…wait for it…calling the police when two black men cornered him at gun point! Flustered Erickson handed the kids his house keys and the teens left and decided to steal a different car.
“Been thinking more about it,” Erickson said in a text message to a reporter. “I regret calling the police. It was my instinct but I wish it hadn’t been. I put those boys in danger of death by calling the cops.”
Yeah I know and yeah it was scary but the cops didn’t really have much to add after I called them,” he continued. “I haven’t been forced to think like this before. So I would have lost my car. So what? At least no one would have been killed.”
Resident in the historical far left neighborhood intervened when park police gave the encampment 72 hours to move out.
“We are not going to kick the can down the road, push people out of public spaces when they have nowhere else to go,” Park Board President Jono Cowgill told the Tribune. “This is not a sustainable, dignified solution for folks who are experiencing homelessness right now, and the state needs to step up.”
Residents on message boards have said their decision has been difficult. Some residents are avoiding the park after being catcalled and fear for the children’s safety. Others commented they are afraid that campers will break into their home at night and have trouble sleeping.
