Opinion: Minneapolis Parks, Addressing Homelessness', Hennepin County's Role in Minneapolis
Monday, July 20, 2020 at 6:36AM
By Diane Hofstede, Former City Council Member
Last week I sent an email message to the individuals listed regarding the increasing number of people camping in our parks, damaging trees, and using the park for their toilet, and garbage needs, Park Board President Cowgill, Park Board Members, Superintendent Bangoura, Chief Otto, Mayor Frey, Steve Cramer, Representative Jordan, Senator Dziedzic, Hennepin County Commissioner Fernando, Hennepin County Sheriff Hutchinson, Metropolitan Council Chair Person Zelle, John Anfinsen, & Governor Walz.
On July 16, City of Minneapolis community members attended the meeting at the Minneapolis Park Board to address the growing population of homeless and encampments in Powderhorn Park, and other city parks. The concerns regarding public safety, safety of our children, violence, destruction, and the growing risk of the spread of COVID 19 were expressed. The result of the meeting was to allow homeless to shelter in our parks by a caring community.
The Mission of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, “permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board exists to provide places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment”. Note the Minneapolis Park Board and staff are not elected or trained to deal with homelessness in a city over 400,000 people.
Encampments in our parks is not a viable solution for people without housing, and with medical needs. Hennepin County’s mission and responsibility and the State of Minnesota is to provide shelter for those in need. What actions has Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council or the State of Minnesota taken to address their responsibility in the growing housing needs and homelessness in Minneapolis, and in our State? The Hennepin County Sheriff has a responsibility to provide public safety in the City of Minneapolis. What actions has the Hennepin County Sheriff done other than a public statement? Are they partners in defining the growing need, immediate solutions, and their responsibility to the City of Minneapolis? What is the status of Homeless Programs and how are jurisdictions in Minnesota addressing the growing health and human needs in the City of Minneapolis? Hennepin County, the State of Minnesota, the County Sheriff, and Met Council’s responsibility is not merely to post their goals on their website but to act on the goals, mission, and vision.
The Mission, Vision, & Goals of Hennepin County:
The mission of Hennepin County is to enhance the health, safety, and quality of life of our residents and communities in a respectful, efficient, and fiscally responsible way. Vision: We envision a future where residents are healthy and successful and where our communities are safe and vibrant. We will strive to meet and exceed expectations by engaging people and communities in developing innovative solutions to challenges. We will be a diverse, learning organization. We will partner with others to enhance the quality of life in Hennepin County and the region.
On July 17, the Star Tribune reported comments made by Hennepin County Commissioners during a public meeting with Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson. One of the questions was how Hutchinson planned to avoid the problems dealing with people of color that are troubling the Minneapolis police. No objections noted from the county commissioners during questioning of the Hennepin County Sherriff Dave Hutchinson. On comment made by a suburban commissioner was that “he did not want the Sheriff’s office to get sucked into the mess that is in Minneapolis right now”.
To Note, Minneapolis is in Hennepin County and we vote for the Sheriff, and we pay taxes to Hennepin County and we elect a commissioner to represent us in our community, or so we thought.
The City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County Commissioners, Hennepin County Sheriff Hutchinson, the Metropolitan Council, the Governor of the State of Minnesota, all have the responsibility to the City of Minneapolis. All have responsibility and made a commitment to all of us, to act on our behalf.
We are waiting, and we will remember.
