Cedar and Longfellow Avenue Residents Reconvene Around Crime and Safety
(6 Oct 06) by Eric Gustafson, CNO Staff

Eighteen residents met at CNO on October 2 to discuss concerns about crime issues around 34th Street and Cedar Avenue. A follow-up to the July 26 block meeting organized by CNO, the gathering was advertised to residents of the 33xx and 34xx blocks of Cedar and Longfellow Avenues. Crime Prevention Specialist Karen Skrivseth reported that resident use of 911 has been very fruitful of late, leading to curfew arrests and targeted undercover patrols at chronic addresses by the police.

Also in attendance was Council Member Gary Schiff, who is working to provide a police camera for the 34th and Cedar intersection. Schiff stated he is currently trying to identify funds to cover the investment cost of the camera, about $13,000. Through Corcoran’s Problem Properties Caucus, Skrivseth and CNO staff have amplified residents’ efforts by working directly with the landlords of certain Cedar Avenue addresses, helping foster several key evictions and a search action by Hennepin County. Skrivseth has also identified several problem juveniles in the area, and this has led to letters from the police department to parents.

34th Street Shell Station manager Ali Jama was in attendance, and stated that his security guard works each night from 5 to 11 p.m. This fall, he explained, the station will also be outfitted with four infrared security cameras.

As always, all illegal, suspicious, or threatening activity should be reported to 911 immediately. The City’s Curfew ordinance requires youth aged 15 to 17 to be home by 11 pm on weekdays, and midnight on weekends.