The Crimeway

What do you get when you put an attraction for (among others) yuppies with more money and concern for Mother Oerth than common sense in the middle of the second-worst neighborhood in the Twin Cities?

Oh, what do you think?

The Minneapolis Police Department’s (MPD) Third Precinct has issued an alert regarding a series of robberies/assaults taking place on the Midtown Greenway bike trail and the adjacent Hiawatha light-rail transit (LRT) trail.

According to the MPD, victims have been surrounded by groups of 2–3 or more younger males, pushed off their bikes and robbed of wallets, backpacks or purses. The assaults have occurred after dark. In some instances, knives and guns have been used.

They’re talking about the Midtown Greenway – the old railway trench converted into a cross-Minneapolis bike path – and the trail along the Ventura Trolley.

“Conservative” anti-bike activists please note – both areas were vastly higher-crime before the bike path.

Still, there’ve been some ugly incidents:

The most recent attack took place on Dec. 4 at around 8:30 p.m. along a dark and secluded stretch of the Hiawatha trail just south of the Franklin Avenue LRT station. The victim told the Midtown Greenway Coalition that three young men “formed a pattern” in his path, ordered him off his bike and onto the ground and then stole his backpack. Afterwards, a gun was held to the victim’s head and, the man with the gun said “I’m going to shoot this nigger.” The assailants were gone soon after.

Another victim was referred to using that word in a separate incident on Nov. 21, in which the victim was threatened with a box cutter after stopping along the trail near Minnehaha Avenue.

I’ve ridden the Greenway – never later than dusk in the summer. It goes through some dodgy areas. The LRT bike path – which allows you to ride from the Metrodome to Fort Snelling (and thence to points south across the Mendota Bridge) – is a nice ride, but it goes through some of the worst parts of Minneapolis. I remember riding south from the Riverside Park apartments (the hideous multicolor “New Town” towers on the West Bank that look like they were transplanted from some hideous Egyptian public housing idea) south to Franklin, where the path runs between the backs of warehouses and the LRT line, and silently crossed it off my night-time biking “to do” list.

In response to this ugly, violent crime, the Twin Cities’ perpetually-enraged community proposes to respond with…well, the usual: ineffective symbolmongering:

Take Back the Greenway
Saturday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m.
The ride begins at the Midtown Greenway entrance near Calhoun Beach Club, travels the greenway past the Sabo bridge, then turns onto the Hiawatha LRT.. trail and finally ends at Grumpy’s Bar, 1111 Washington Ave. S. in Downtown East.

…and lumpen passivity:

The MPD and Midtown Greenway Coalition offer these prevention strategies:

— Avoid the Greenway after dark. [That’s right. We merely citizens need to know our place. Everyone knows the city belongs to the scum after dark – Ed.]
— Ride and walk with others, rather than alone. [ “Hell is other people – Sartre]
— Look for a “Bluelight” phone on the Greenway that will connect you directly with 9-1-1. [ Right. Because a bunch of thugs who’ve staked out an ambush will be happy to let you pedal back to a “blue phone”- Ed.]
— Carry a cell phone and call 9-1-1 if you need help. [ Ditto – Ed.]
— Pay attention to your surroundings. Exit the Greenway at the nearest ramp if you feel comfortable or nervous about people you see ahead of you. [ At last, common sense. Of course, that’s always good advice, wherever you are – Ed.]
— If you are assaulted, try to stay calm and give the attackers what they want. The more you resist, the more likely it is that you will be injured. [ Actually, people who don’t resist are about four times as likely to be killed as those who do; SEVEN times as likely as those who resist with lethal force – Ed.]
— Wear a bike helmet while riding to reduce considerably your chances of injury. [ That’s just common sense, given how awful Minnesota drivers – “The Cairo drivers of the West – are. Ed.]
— When calling 9-1-1, give the operator your location. The Greenway is now listed as a street: Midtown Greenway East is the name of the stretch east of Nicollet Avenue to the river. [ Not dumb, obviously – Ed.]
— Take time to familiarize yourself with the addresses of the cross-streets over the trail to help ensure quicker police response. [ Again, not a bad idea – subject, of course, to your having time to call in a report. Which, likely, will be after the perps are gone – Ed.]

Another idea; get your carry permit. And then you, the trained, authorized, permitted citizen, carry while you ride.

Remembering this event last summer – where scads of permit-holding Minnesotans held an Open Carry picnic at Lake Harriet – perhaps a more effective “Take Back The Greenway” idea would be for a gathering of permit-holders on bikes to have a ride. Carrying openly. Or perhaps just doing bounding overwatch.

That’ll get the thugs’ attention.

31 thoughts on “The Crimeway

  1. There is a move afoot to try to make more bikeways going through North and Northeast Minneapolis. Frankly, I love the idea because it means that they will have to figure out a way to police those sections better. People on bikes are easy pickings for thugs. And I think the stats hide how much of this has been going on because they are simply booked as assaults or robberies. There is no crime dot (yet) for “assault on bicyclist.” When I first moved to the hood I used to wonder why I never saw anybody over the age of about 8 on a bike. Now I know why. I agree with the CC/OC option. Don’t know what else you do if you don’t want to restrict yourself by location or time of day.

  2. Perhaps it’s time to start another grassroots group. Something with a title to reflect the mission.

    I nominate “Bikers With Massive Firepower”.

    Somewhat more seriously – I think an “NECP” or “Guardian Angels”-style citizens patrol on bikes would be a useful thing.

  3. Kermit,

    Yeah, sure, except it’s already been spent, and it’s part of the city now. Might as well keep the scum from making a dodgy “investment” into a complete waste.

  4. I was one of the participants at the Lake Harriet event. A ton of fun, something we definitely will have to do again. I’d do the bike thing but I think they would frown on me riding my Harley on the bike path. And I’m not sure I could be persuaded to do the pedal power (or motorcycle) stuff with the temp below the zero mark (yikes!). I think it would be fun to hold down the fort at some rendezvous point(s) along the route.

  5. Helpful hint #1: Don’t bike, Drive!

    Biking is not safe nor is it an alternative to driving in MN (anyone want to bike 20 miles to work today?)

    It would help if people got realistic and acknowledged that biking is a hobby and a mode of transport for those without licenses.

  6. There is an irony about the idea of cyclists becoming avid carriers–knowing that many spend an extra grand or two to reduce the weight of their ride by about 5 lbs, it’s hilarious to consider many of those same guys adding it back with a firearm, belt, and holster.

    A wonderful irony, of course.

  7. Biking is not safe nor is it an alternative to driving in MN (anyone want to bike 20 miles to work today?)

    Of course it’s an alternative. It’s the nadir of bad logic to restrict “alternatives” to “year round only”. I biked just about every day for the better part of six months. I lost about thirty pounds, I bought not one drop of $4 a gallon gas, I had a blast, and (contrary to your constant jeremiads) I lived.

    It would help if people got realistic and acknowledged that biking is a hobby and a mode of transport for those without licenses.

    Tracy, you keep saying it, over and over, as if repitition equalled evidence.

    I refute you thus: It is an alternative, for me – a guy with a license and a car and paid-up insurance and impeccable conservative credentials – among many others. And that’s all that matters.

    Your argument is rendered moot. Please retire it.

  8. Helpful hint #1: Don’t bike, Drive!

    Oh, yeah – and this post is not another tiresome repetition of the “biking vs. driving” argument.

    This is about enabling, empowering and encouraging the law-abiding citizen – in their cars, on their bikes and on foot – to take their cities back from the scumbags that seem to think they have a right to roam and predate freely.

  9. Biking is fine for commuting if it works for you. My round-trip commute is 50+ miles each day, so the bike doesn’t work for me. But I’m glad it works for you, Mitch. Hope it always will.

  10. D,

    Being a good conservative, I’d never dream of telling anyone how to commute. I commuted 20-40 miles each way for years; cars were the only option (especially given that I had young kids to deal with). Now that I live seven miles from the office – an opportunity I worked for years to get – and my kids are older and more independent, I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

    But I’m glad it works for you, Mitch. Hope it always will.

    That makes two of us!

    For everyone, there’s a cost-benefit ratio to figure. If you like the way your life works with a 50 mile commute, then more power to you! I’m pretty happy with the current balance and I, too, hope it lasts.

  11. knowing that many spend an extra grand or two to reduce the weight of their ride by about 5 lbs, it’s hilarious to consider many of those same guys adding it back with a firearm, belt, and holster.

    It’s all a matter of free choice. A nice light bike (and iron legs) gives you a better chance of *avoiding* trouble – which is, naturally, the best idea for the individual on the street, even if armed.

  12. So where do you carry the gun so that it’s easy to deploy? Fanny pack/backpack – too slow to get to. Shoulder holster – chafing! Holster mounted on handlebars – now there’s a possibility that would probably result in a police escort for your ride. No, it’s time to come into the 21st century: I’m talking “frickin’ lasers” mounted on the bike helmet. This serves two purposes – self-defense and finally making bike helmets cool to wear!

  13. Instead of lasers, how about cameras. Infrared. If these guys are playing chum for the urbans sharks we could at least get some benefit out of it. I like it, trolling liberals! If the occasional CC rider gets to pop a bad guy, he (or she) will have video evidence that they met the four criteria.

  14. I carry in a belt holster when I ride (Not in the winter). A long shirt to cover it if you are so inclined.

    There are cameras that attach to bike helmets out there, as well.

  15. Ride with your dog, if it is a large one…. or more. Good exercise for them. If they’re sufficiently well trained, they can run down and hold the assailants.

    I’ve been in some pretty bad areas over the years with a handful of the big beasties, and never had a problem.

  16. Mitch,
    I thought of you when I first read these accounts. It’s kind of satisfying to imagine getting the drop on these punks, but the practical problem is this: They know they’re going to mug someone, so they’re prepared, while you can’t possibly ride and be prepared against every person you encounter on a bike and keep under control. The best defense is riding with awareness.

    Like you, Mitch, I’ve made the choice to bike places and it works for me year round — even with a Jaguar in the garage it’s my choice, Tracy. I have biked and run through neighborhoods most of you would consider bad since 1976 — many thousands of miles without a single incident.

    The Greenway is a tremendous investment. Maybe St. Paulites and suburbanites can’t see the difference it has made.

  17. Dog Gone:

    Yeah, but I know your dogs; they could rout a platoon of Al Quaeda.

    Charlie,

    Carrying is not a guarantee against all situations – obviously. It merely gives the prudent (legal, law-abiding, trained) rider an option he/she might not have otherwise. Awareness is key, whether armed or not.

    One thing I have noticed; carry non-proponents seem to confuse “thugs” with “infantry”. Most of the time,they pick off easy targets of opportunity. A sign of resolve (backed with visibly-competent lethal force) more often than not makes ’em think better of things. Not that I care to test that theory, if you catch my drift.

    Perhaps we’re spoiled in St. Paul. On top of Summit, Shepard Road and the Gateway, we really don’t have any areas as corrosively bad as Phillips or the North Side.

    Which is not to say I especially like riding down Thomas between Lex and Rice on those days I”m in a huge hurry…

  18. …even with a Jaguar in the garage it’s my choice,

    With a British car in the garage, I’m willing to bet that not every bike ride is by choice! 🙂

  19. Mitch says:
    Dog Gone:

    Yeah, but I know your dogs; they could rout a platoon of Al Quaeda.

    **

    Worst place I ever ended up accidentally – and very late at night no less – was driving through a REALLY bad part of New Jersey on the way to the Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden. Area looked almost as bad as Baghdad or Basra, and you could hear gunfire in the distance. Bunch of gang bangers block the street half a block from us. Dogs pop their heads out the passenger door windows of our big black SUV, one on either side of the car, tails wagging on the inside. A couple of the gang bangers started screaming that our car was full of BEARS, and they ran away, leaving the raodway deserted.

    A lot of the street lights had been shot out, so it was dark. I suppose all they could see in the faint light were big big white teeth and the reflection off their retinas…. but BEARS? East coasties have some funny ideas about fly over land, so maybe they saw the MN license plates…. but to think we drive around with bears loose in the back seat. Geeze!

    Seriously though, most neighborhood watch advisors, etc. DO recommend dogs – any size dogs — for reducing crime. Even the small ones make noise and are unpredictable, enough of a potential risk to make criminals think twice and go for an easier target. Alternatively, police K-9 unit or two with a bike patrol would be ideal to clean up this kind of crime.

    The problem with carrying a gun is not only being able to draw fast enough to be useful, but that you are likely to be quite close to the bad guys. Not easy to cover three people spread out around you in a semi circle, and drawing on them could escalate the situation. The other problem is that, at least back when I took my pistol training, if you shoot, you shoot to kill. I don’t have a problem with shooting to kill in self defense, but not over a lousy back pack. Not kids, even really bad kids.

    The dogs on the other hand are tested, by four professionals that is shutzhund derived, for how they behave in a series of increasingly intense stresses. Among other things, they have to be rock steady in the presence of gunfire and three different confrontations with a threatening stranger yelling and waving a large stick (a length of closet pole). It is considered an automatic failure for the tested dog to damage the volunteer who is doing the threatening; the dogs are expected to be clearly unafraid and to assume what is classified as the passive defender position, placing themselves between me and the danger, not letting the danger get past them. Great emphasis is placed on the dogs having the confidence to consistently respond with the least force and aggression consistent with maintaining safety; no macho crap. These are the same dogs I use for pet therapy, reliable with even the most fragile people. Like Alzheimer’s patients where it is imperative the dogs be ‘bomb proof’ around people who may be distressed or acting erratically.

    I’ve only had one instance where a real threat was not resolved with one or more dogs assuming the passive defender role, which usually ended up in very positive ways. I was cocky, sure I had control of a confrontation. My alpha bitch and her pack enforcer were broke out of a chain link kennel to go for a man who was stupid enough to be yelling with his hands raised in fists. Both bitches had been blooded, having hunted and killed live game, larger predators being their preferred prey. So, when they both skipped the passive defender stage and went on the attack. The alpha bitch went for the man’s throat, and the other bitch went for his hamstring. The one dog’s jaws snapped shut just missing his neck as I grabbed her, and it tried to hold her back. The other got a mouthful of pants, but no leg. I didn’t give a damn about the jerk, I just didn’t want to havee one of my dogs put down for killing someone.

    The dogs were right and I was wrong. The cops got the guy, they knew exactly who he was. Turned out he had a record as long as my arm going back to his juvie years, with numerous violent events and anger issues. I think I’m pretty good at assessing situations, but after twenty years of working with these dogs, there is no doubt in my mind that they are even better at reading people’s intentions. And acting independently.

    Dogs or guns, I’ll take dogs. Not just mine. Most dogs with enough brains to be good working dogs – hunting, herding, tracking, earthdog, any kind of practical work – will have the instinct to be protective.

  20. Dogs or guns, I’ll take dogs.

    To be fair, your dogs are more like thoroughbred horses.

    Why choose? Dogs are a perfectly fine option. I have a dog. And yet dogs can be overcome in ways guns can’t.

  21. “Dogs or guns, I’ll take dogs. Not just mine. Most dogs with enough brains to be good working dogs – hunting, herding, tracking, earthdog, any kind of practical work – will have the instinct to be protective.”

    God I love and respect both. The difference being that a dog will show you love and respect in return. That’s very special.

  22. Sure Mitch, You keep telling everyone you “chose” to bike this year. Having a car and an “operable” car are 2 different things.

    If you can’t use a mode of transportation year round, or with kids, or to get groceries, just how much should the taxpayers of MN invest in that mode of transportation?

    Also, your stated main benefit is weight loss. Is this now how you propose to rate all new transportation projects? What about efficiency, mulit-modal utility and utilization by the largest portion of the population. By any of these real world measures, bike paths don’t add up.

    If you admit that you plan to use roads when it’s cold, rainy or the odd day that you have a full tank of gas, you are a hypocrite for advocating funding to bike paths that could have gone to reducing congestion on the roads you plan to you when you feel like it.

    Finally, getting executed by hoodlums would seem to reverse any perceived health benefits of biking, unless the goal is to leave a slim corpse.

  23. Nothing wrong with dogs, but they’re kinda problematic for bringing along to work, for many folks. As to carrying guns, I keep looking for the self-defense proponent who guarantees that they’ll serve their intended purpose, under all circumstances, so I can try to talk him out of it, but I think he’s still mythical.

    How to carry while on a bike? All sorts of options, as long as you’re not of the opinion that a fast draw is going to save your life; it’s vanishingly unlikely to. My own preference would be an OWB holster, and a covering garment, but there’s arguments for fanny packs and such.

    Charlie’s right: the best defense is awareness. But there’s no law or requirement to give that up if you’re carrying, and every reason not to.

  24. Tracy,

    Set ’em up, I’ll knock ’em down:

    Sure Mitch, You keep telling everyone you “chose” to bike this year. Having a car and an “operable” car are 2 different things.

    Only if it’s not “operable” through no choice of ones own. I chose to bike/bus rather than fix the car; it was expedient, but still optional.

    If you can’t use a mode of transportation year round, or with kids, or to get groceries, just how much should the taxpayers of MN invest in that mode of transportation?

    Not sure what you’re getting at here – and either are you, I suspect.

    I ride on the same roads that everyone else drives on. The roads I pay for with my gas taxes, the same as you (but that I use just a little more gently, since I drive on ’em less than you do).

    Also, your stated main benefit is weight loss. Is this now how you propose to rate all new transportation projects?

    Not sure where I said that. It’s not true, either personally (there were almost too many benefits to count) or politically (there are many better ways to “rate” projects).

    Either way, you keep putting words in my mouth. I can do that just fine by myself, thanks.

    What about efficiency, mulit-modal utility and utilization by the largest portion of the population. By any of these real world measures, bike paths don’t add up.

    You need to stop changing the terms of the discussion. As I do not control society, I’m not going to propose solutions for all of society. I don’t care what the “largest portion of the population” does. I’m responsible only to my family and me. That’s the only corner of society I care about or have any control over.

    If you admit that you plan to use roads when it’s cold, rainy or the odd day that you have a full tank of gas, you are a hypocrite for advocating funding to bike paths that could have gone to reducing congestion on the roads you plan to you when you feel like it.

    That is so far from “logical” that light leaving “logic” right now will not reach you until we’re both long dead.

    Where to start? Strawman; I’m not talking about “bike paths”. Hypocrisy? Hardly; I pay the same taxes everyone else does. The “when” of how I exercise my *free will* (a problem you seem to have trouble with, Komrade Eberly) has nothing to do with it. False assumption: the taxes to do one don’t come from the same place as the taxes to do the other.

    Or do you advocate forcing me into cars for my own moral good?

    Finally, getting executed by hoodlums would seem to reverse any perceived health benefits of biking, unless the goal is to leave a slim corpse.

    A vanishingly small minority of serious bikers get murdered. A larger, but still tiny, percentage get injured on the road. The imponderably vast majority of people who start and stay with it see some sort of health benefit. I suspect that the number of years gained by people who voluntarily bike regularly outstrip by number of years lost to those who are murdered or run over by an order of magnitude or two per capita.  Oh, yeah – and some bikers are harder targets than others…
    And please, don’t even bother with the tax question; the legislature in its infinite wisdom decided on the tax formula to support roads. Are you telling me that you are right for trying to minimize your tax burden through clever itemization, but wrong for doing the same by using a mode of transport for half the year that doesn’t pay gas taxes (until they figure out how to tax my emissions after I go to Burrito Mercado, anyway?) Wow – and you called ME a hypocrite!

    Leave the Soucheray cliches at home. They’re not ready for prime time.

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