This Case Pisses Me Off

[Tennesseer]

The shooter is a threat to the community. The police have to take the chance and take him into custody.

Minneapolis man says he repeatedly reported neighbor for harassment to no avail before being shot by him

[busymom]

I just don't know what to think of the Minneapolis police department right now.  Ever since George Floyd, it's like they're afraid to go after criminals, even the bad ones.  I don't know if they're being directed by, for example, the mayor's office, or if the police department is swinging from being rough to being soft.  I do know a lot of folks are angry at the current County Attorney, Moriarity, because she doesn't really punish the underage kids who commit some pretty serious crimes, like armed robbery.  I cannot imagine NOT arresting someone who shot their neighbor.  Even if the shooter does supposedly have mental health issues.

[Opti]

That's awful. I wasn't up to listening to all the CYA stuff in the first video. I hope the victim's spinal injury can heal up and that the police finally do something to remove the neighbor's guns. Crazy that this couple has been harassed so long.

[NastyWoman]

Oct 27, 2024 19:58:20 GMT -5 busymom said:

I just don't know what to think of the Minneapolis police department right now.  Ever since George Floyd, it's like they're afraid to go after criminals, even the bad ones.  I don't know if they're being directed by, for example, the mayor's office, or if the police department is swinging from being rough to being soft.  I do know a lot of folks are angry at the current County Attorney, Moriarity, because she doesn't really punish the underage kids who commit some pretty serious crimes, like armed robbery.  I cannot imagine NOT arresting someone who shot their neighbor.  Even if the shooter does supposedly have mental health issues.

Are you sure that is when it started? I have a suspicion that it started long before that time. Look at what the alleged crime Floyd had committed: a store clerk suspected that he had paid with a false twenty dollar bill. A real Ted Bundy in action... So they killed an unarmed man suspected of potentially having committed a crime*. No danger to them, but a chance to show themselves off as the "tough guys" they were not. Cowards at heart playing the big men and it cost Floyd his life. They have not changed from that time IMO, they just realize that killing or hurting someone might have severe repercussions and where is the fun in that

* Note: I don't know whether there was ever a follow up to the accusation, but even if Floyd had actually passed a false note there would have to be at least some proof that he knew if was a forgery. He might easily have received that note anywhere. It is not like a $20 bill is all that rare.

[busymom]

There are certain communities where the cops have a "reputation" for being mean.  Minneapolis has been on the list for years, so as horrible as the George Floyd case was, it wasn't a total surprise. There are some nearby suburbs too, where you just don't do anything outside of the law, because the cops will make your life miserable if you do.  One suburb is famous for pulling over speeders for going one mile an hour over the speed limit.  One mile an hour.  One of the Minnesota Vikings got nailed by that community for speeding.  So, you kind of learn which communities you can misbehave a bit, and which ones you'd better be at your very best.  I suspect some who get into policing are in it for the adrenaline rush, and not necessarily to "protect and serve".  

[busymom]

Oh, and for the record, we've got some police in our extended family, but they're in it for the right reasons.  The good cops are VERY good at protecting their community, but the bad cops are really bad.  Sadly, it seems the good cops are the ones who get hurt, because they tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.  

[Tennesseer]

The neighbor is now in custody.

[daisylu]

Wow, way to blame the victim and the public.

[raeoflyte]

Oct 28, 2024 2:05:48 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Oct 27, 2024 19:58:20 GMT -5 busymom said:

I just don't know what to think of the Minneapolis police department right now.  Ever since George Floyd, it's like they're afraid to go after criminals, even the bad ones.  I don't know if they're being directed by, for example, the mayor's office, or if the police department is swinging from being rough to being soft.  I do know a lot of folks are angry at the current County Attorney, Moriarity, because she doesn't really punish the underage kids who commit some pretty serious crimes, like armed robbery.  I cannot imagine NOT arresting someone who shot their neighbor.  Even if the shooter does supposedly have mental health issues.

Are you sure that is when it started? I have a suspicion that it started long before that time. Look at what the alleged crime Floyd had committed: a store clerk suspected that he had paid with a false twenty dollar bill. A real Ted Bundy in action... So they killed an unarmed man suspected of potentially having committed a crime*. No danger to them, but a chance to show themselves off as the "tough guys" they were not. Cowards at heart playing the big men and it cost Floyd his life. They have not changed from that time IMO, they just realize that killing or hurting someone might have severe repercussions and where is the fun in that

* Note: I don't know whether there was ever a follow up to the accusation, but even if Floyd had actually passed a false note there would have to be at least some proof that he knew if was a forgery. He might easily have received that note anywhere. It is not like a $20 bill is all that rare.

Agreed. It looks like plain old racism to me. Cops giving white people warnings and the benefit of the doubt, or even when the worst happens being able to safely take them in to police custody. But somehow being so afraid for their lives when black people exist near a crime that they respond with often lethal force for even minor infractions. In this case disregarding and ignoring reports from a person of color and allowing the white neighbor to continue his harassment.

Multiple reports were filed against this guy. If the police really told him that they couldn't risk their officers because they were afraid of the neighbor...what did they think would happen? What did the think he should do living next door to this guy? Wouldn't they have at least helped him file a restraining order? That would be terrifying.

[Artemis Windsong]

An unanswered question.  How did the neighbor get groceries?  The PD could figure that out where ordered from trash and show up with the next grocery order to get a glimpse inside.

[Tennesseer]

The shooter is clearly demented.

At his first court appearance after allegedly shooting his neighbor in the neck in broad daylight following months of ongoing harassment, John Sawchak demanded to know when he would be allowed to get a restraining order against the people he is accused of victimizing.

City Council mulls review
Several Minneapolis City Council members said during a Tuesday committee meeting that they would like an independent after-incident review, rather than an internal review.

O’Hara and Frey said Monday a “post-incident review” would be done, but the council urged an outside look at the case, saying Black and white people are treated differently by police.

Council Member Jeremiah Ellison said MPD always seems to be able to de-escalate situations with white suspects, but when it’s Black suspects, “it’s a killing.”

“Here we have someone who did shoot someone, and he’s sitting in his home, and I don’t find it acceptable,” he said. “Black victims feel they’re not getting the right kind of support and in a very obvious way. If the department feels like that’s not a fair characterization, you’ve got to go out and you’ve got to prove that to the community. You’ve got to prove that to us.”

Bail set at $1 million as Mpls. man asks for restraining order against neighbor he allegedly shot