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At a birthday gathering Saturday night in Dinkytown, near the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, I witnessed several hours of a full-blown riot half a block down the street at Seventh Street and 15th Avenue.
Hundreds of people were gathered in the street. People were standing on cars, breaking windows and denting the sides. Shouting, crowd chanting, physical fights and breaking bottles could be heard constantly. There were multiple fires in the street. This all had been occurring before I left the scene at about 11 p.m.
I am shamefully disappointed in both my peers who participated in such an activity and the police, who so unsatisfactorily responded to multiple phone calls requesting control of the riot. Hours after many phone calls were made, I witnessed police cars and fire trucks slowly drive by an adjacent street and do almost nothing to attempt to disperse the crowd.
I suppose I am especially upset by the lack of police response in Dinkytown because such activity would never be tolerated elsewhere in Minneapolis. For many students, the weekend of “Spring Jam” at the University means a time of excessive drinking and, apparently, lawlessness. I am appalled that the police have allowed such activity, perhaps because it is “expected” of the youthful residents in this area. In the interest of equal public safety throughout the community of the Twin Cities, I would appreciate a prompt and full police response to such riotous activity, no matter the neighborhood.
Teresa Brecht
University student
Serving the University of Minnesota Community since 1900
39 Comments
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Dinkytown
I am not at all surprised at the police response. I live not far from where many of the athletes live. We fought for over 5 years with the University Hockey parties, it was only after we recorded an officer saying "they University students what do you expect", and this after 3AM and at least 4 calls to have them tell them to pleasre quiet them down. We had to talk to the Mayors office, the Chief of Police's office, Rental licensing, and Finally to Lucia, threatening to repeat the publicity they got from the Blarneygate incident several years ago, that any thing was done. I do have to admit at least in this area, at least, things have quieted down, but the alley still full of bottles, cans, litter, and have seen ppl peeing between the garages, and loud hollering till 4:00 am or later.
When all else fails, blame
When all else fails, blame the hockey team. Probably because you can't skate and got cut from your team.
They'd loose 1/4 of their
They'd loose 1/4 of their student population if they did that...but then again, it might free up almost all of the scholarship money...
Online Teaching learning degree AND Clinical Psychology Degree
The Balance
All due respect; you guys probably shouldn't live on campus. The U, and all the traditions it comes with have probably been part of the deal since before either of you lived in Dinkytown (or were born - for that matter).
I can't get down with the expectation of an outside force (i.e. the police) to change the preexisting culture of a community. This usually involves gentrification (i.e. knocking down your fucking house).
Unless you want to live in a condo, with awesome neighbors, who also live in condos - I guess you get whats there.
Dinkytown is a beautiful, vibrant community, with highs only as big as its lows. Don't ever forget that you have to take one to get the other.
no, you don't
no, you don't
I agree with your statement
I agree with your statement about Dinkytown being a vibrant community. Large parties are to be expected by a large university (or any university I am sure), however, what happened yesterday is appalling. I happened to wander into the scene around 8pm and couldn't believe that my peers were acting this way. It is expected around Spring Jam that things get a little crazy but I am ashamed to say I am a student at the University right now. I go to parties and drink myself, but I can have a good time without putting other people's lives in danger. When the fire started in the street I was concerned that these people were going to blow up the car next to it. Have some respect for your neighbors, people who are genuinely concerned about others, and those that just don't want to deal with the "spring jam" nonsense.
1. If our portion of this cut
1. If our portion of this cut were solved by tuition alone, it would take back-to-back double-digit increases. computer diploma AND associate degree Telecommunications AND Social Science school
Youth vs the Old
Kids are frustrated. It's only a few years before they join the workforce (so they hope) and work for 30-plus years only to have their 401Ks raided by some "savy" New York stockbroker run amok. Money is king, so don't be too creative, don't have too much fun or else you'll NEVER make it. Don't cry about it either or you'll be labeled a "troublemaker". You might have a life somewhere but probably only on vacation (far away from police). Not in America. Watch out for the next pandemic, terrorists, Britney Spears album and have a nice life. Respect your elders.
Oh, GROW UP.
If the poor Middle American university students are really that frustrated, there are a few billion other people on the planet who probably wouldn't mind trading places with them. Y'know, those folks who aren't really worried about 401ks because they make in a month what the average student waiting tables makes on a good night? The people who might actually get shot if they say the wrong thing to a police officer? The ones who aren't bitching that they don't get to be "creative" because they're a little more concerned about just getting four digits of calories in a day on a regular basis?
Yes, those sad, put-upon, mostly white, middle-class and upper-middle-class U of M kids who have to struggle through somehow with their (possibly used!) cars, their air-conditioning, their high-speed Internet, and enough free time and money to get so wasted on a Sunday evening that they start destroying property. Are they frustrated? You'll pardon me if I throw up a little. Even almost a whole year of tough economic times, their standard of living remains higher than what the vast bulk of humanity has experienced since before history. These are just children in grown-up bodies who apparently can't handle their alcohol. They're pathetic.
Yeah, those kids are so much
Yeah, those kids are so much less mature than those adults that try to ban everything from fat to baggy pants. Back in my day, we used to shave with Bowie knives and shoot kids that walked on our lawns. None of this wussy stuff.
Youth vs the Old
WOW - worst reply ever... absolute worst... How old are you?
Youth vs. the Old
Are so blindly misguided that you equate all of life's problems to New York fund managers? Give me a break. These kids weren't upset because they will be entering the workforce... it's called "they were trashed" and booze can have violent affects on people. Keep your crazy physcho bable out of here.
Wow
It got a little out of hand but really it's college kids. If you don't want to be a part of this go find a private school or small state school where partying is not tolerated to this extent or move far far away from campus. I didn't participate in the party for long and left before the police got there but it's just one crazy time a year that is a tradition and will still exist long after we grow up.
"One Crazy Time"
"Partying" does not include setting things on fire and tipping cars. Perhaps, if that is your forte, or you think it is at least acceptable for others, YOU should move somewhere where this is accepted, legal tradition.
Really?
In response to "Balance," since when is breaking other people's windows part of "culture"? Also, I find it ridiculous that you imply that this behavior is the "culture" of the overall U of M community, and those few who cannot accept it should live off campus. This behavior is that of a small, disrespectful, minority and the majority of students should not have to be forced to live inconveniently far off campus so as not to have their property ILLEGALLY vandalized. I also find it appalling that you use the argument of gentrification for why nothing can be done about the situation. Gentrification is a serious problem that most often effects many hard-working, low-income families, who are part of real communities, and not some drunken, entitled white-students who have no respect for the word community, as shown by their tearing their own community to shreds. I find your entire argument disgraceful.
Unsatisfactory police response to Dinkytown riots
There are two obvious questions at hand. Why has the University leadership not acted and allowed this drunken lawlessness to go on for so long? And, If the police had responded in the manner in which I believe you are implying in your letter. Would the confrontation between police and students have created an even more explosive and combative environment?
With it being "Spring Jam", the known behavior of the students is excessive alcohol consumption. Add a mob mentality and some form of disrespect, slight or stupid action that requires a reaction from the other side, you have a very real recipe for disaster. Instead of having a few minor injuries and damage, there could have been severe injuries. Even worse, a death of a student or police officer. And don't make the mistake and tell yourself "it can't happen here."
Yes, you probably don't like the lack of action. However, I'm sure there will be no memorial services for a few damaged vehicles and buildings. But, had you mixed in an understaffed police force against a mob of a couple of hundred drunk students. You have a significantly higher prcentage of attending one.
It's funny isn't it? If the police don't respond, they're not doing their job. If they do respond and someone is hurt or killed. No matter how it's explained, the police will always be to blame.
I commend you for being witness to document and condemn your peers. Now, take the next step. Get with the University leadership and have then do something about this.
"You can't change the world if your not willing to get involved."
Lame...
I was at the "riot" if you want to call it that. I pretty much agree with the fact that if you live next to a college you have to deal with the college lifestyle. It's lame to listen to students cry about how the police didnt do enough blah blah blah. I think they handled the matter in a perfectly appropriate way. How else should they have? If you look at the big picture people are just making a big deal out of this for the drama factor to feel important... There is some glass in the street and a few cars dented AND 400 STUDENTS HAD THE TIMES OF THEIR LIVES!
Cops have too much influence in our lives daily the way it is, everytime I do 56 in a 55 I see red lights in my rearview. Thanks police for lightening up this time and just looking out for peoples health rather than "enforce" us.
To all the winers you will have your way though, next year I'm sure we will have to pay for 500 police cruisers zoomin down university patrolin.
Lighten up....
That's pretty easy to say...
...when you're not the person who has to pay $200 or $300 or more to get that window replaced or that dent fixed. After all, no one has ever had THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES without damaging other people's stuff, right?
Every year, millions of people enjoy "the college lifestyle" without breaking other people's property. If a group of six-year-olds smashed some car windows, no one would chuckle and say, "Well, that's six-year-olds for you"; do you really think you should be held to a lower standard? When you write things like this off like they're no big deal, you just confirm the perception that you and the other people at the party are entitled brats.
...
i dislike you... a lot
A few cars dented.
Since when and anywhere has it been acceptable to damage private property for college students, young adults, to HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES? I think everyone that took part in the damage to private and public property should be expelled and have to pay full restitution. Maybe then you would understand that it is you that is responsible for your action. Just like driving the speed limit, you just do not get it.
I'm just saying that we are
I'm just saying that we are going to be under martial law in the near future. Everything is being stripped of us one by one. I'm not saying rioting is a right by any means just that everyone goes up in arms about every little thing just to make a big deal out of nothing and feel the drama. Like they're important for a small timeframe in their tired lame life.
First rule of anarchy (yes,
First rule of anarchy (yes, there are rules) - if you don't police yourself, someone will come along who does it for you. This is not "college lifestyle". This isn't loud stereos and some late night parties. That I could handle (I lived near colleges many times in the past). But living near a campus does NOT mean that you should expect people peeing in your yard, destroying your property, starting fires in the street, and basically acting as if they were the most important people in the world because they can do whatever they feel like, f**k you if you don't like it. No, college students haven't been doing this since before you were born. They didn't last long as students if they did stupid stunts like this.
If you really want to have the time of your life, why don't you get all your buddies together, go down to your mother's house, and do this same little number there. I'm sure she'd be so proud of what you learned in college.
Correction - they have been
Correction - they have been doing this since before most of the students at the U were born. I'm sure we can scrounge up an article on a campus riot prior to 1988.
Again...
...it's not "nothing" to the people who have to fix their cars and other damage after the people who caused it have gone home to sleep off their hangovers. If you woke up one day and were out a couple hundred bucks, plus the time it took to get your stuff repaired, just because some supposed adults couldn't control themselves, would that be no big deal?
You're not in any danger of martial law in the near future, and it's insulting to the people who really are, all over the world, for you to say that. There are plenty of places where instead of tear gas, local police would have responded to a riot of this size with bullets, and the victims' families wouldn't even have the recourse of a lawsuit. Be glad you don't live in one of them, and grow up and stop trying to justify behavior that hurts other people.
Great response - compare the
Great response - compare the richest country in the world to the third world. You should be thankful you can type. There are people out there without fingers!
It's a privilege to attend
It's a privilege to attend college, and one that you don't deserve. The time of your life is causing other people harm? Endangering lives? That is disgusting.
[Side note: Would you have paid $100 to enter this party, in order to pay for cleanup and damage costs afterward? Because it certainly isn't fair that everyone else has to clean up your mess.]
Privilege, my foot! College
Privilege, my foot! College is the new high school.
p.s. Nobody would pay $100 for a party, unless it was at the Playboy Mansion. I also seriously doubt you had $100 of cleanup to do. That's like 9 hours work for full-time custodian.
Can I come over with a
Can I come over with a baseball bat and smash in your car windows?
I'm sure I'll have the TIME OF MY LIFE doing it.
Why don't you check your entitlement at the door? You don't have a right to destroy other people's property 'because it's fun' and you're an entitled brat, anymore than you have the right to speed because your time is sooo much more important than everyone else on the road.
Some punk-ass 14 year-olds
Some punk-ass 14 year-olds from the neighborhood did that to me a few years ago. They stole my radio, too. My friends and I saw them running away from my car, so we called the police. It took the cops over three hours to show up. They did no investigating, even though there were more than ten cars broken into within a block radius of my house that spring. Why can't rioters have the same courtesy from the MPD?
This is clearly a one-way street. It's fine to police the hell out of the students, but, when they need help, they get nothing in return.
Woah...
I blame the new "i love college" song...... just kidding. But in all seriousness, i agree that the behavior displayed by all parties involved left a lot to be desired. But, to try and play the race card here really bugs the crap out of me. No one is trying to say that U of M is the most diverse campus in the nation because certainly it's not. But this is a case of drunken mob mentality at its worst, most certainly not white kids, but all kids. Addressing the police, i agree that a full blown police vs. the mob war was definitely not the way if should have happened but to have some kind of control would have been nice.
A someone who has worked in
A someone who has worked in college/university LE, I can say that most cops won't engage a mob until there are plenty of numbers of cops. Secondly, where I worked, the only riot gear we had were old helmets from back in the day. I would not be doing any riot control on the front lines. If you look at the Kent State mini-riot that happened within the last week, you will see police in full blown riot gear, spraying the crowd with chemical spray, to get things under control.
To those who are saying this is just college kids having the "time of their lives," you may get something you don't want. Some folks will quickly use mob mentality to act like total animals. They will sexually assault females. They will do more than just knock out a couple of windows, they will start fires. Where do folks draw the line? Is it OK to start dropping things from interstate bridges? I mean its only property damage, that is until someone drives off the road and kills themselves or others. Of course if the police had not doing anything, and a few of these idiots who were just having "THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES" started climbing a building or light pole, and that thing fell over, killing a few students...the same idiots on here would say the police, city, and state should be sued for failing to stop these students from having the time of their lives.
This is what freedom is all
This is what freedom is all about - the ability to live without a net. Nanny states are for babies.
agreed
I agree with Ms. Brecht about the the failures of the police in this past weekend's incident. Had there been regular foot patrols of say perhaps four police walking through the neighborhood before it got dark out, I doubt it would have been so out of control. Besides, numerous people I was around that night were calling 911 from 8p.m. onwards with dispatchers saying "Tell me about it" in response.
Just down the road we had the RNC and that was managed quite effectively by the police, maybe harshly, but in overwhelming force. Where were they Saturday night?
But why respond and risk police injuries until there is a legitimate reason to call in the storm troopers? Knocking students off bikes and shooting concussion grenades almost randomly, these testosterone infused soldiers of the law finally get free-wielding powers, it is after all a riot. Whenever you have a police force that heavily equipped, it will be used. Why not spend less on equipment and more on patrols? Police Failure.
Exactly how do you propose to
Exactly how do you propose to pay for those foot patrols? The equipment was paid for with the grant from the RNC not the city budgets. All you people who complain about lack of police presence are the ones who complain about raising property taxes and won't hold Pawlenty accountable for reduced Local Government Aid and this is the result, reduced local Public Safety budgets. You want more police presence then tell your legislative representatives in the city and state that you are willing to pay additional property and income taxes to pay for them because that is what is necessary in order to accomplish that. Minneapolis police officers are amongst the worst paid in any of the cities in the country and continue to have their budgets slashed. Just how are they supposed to step up patrols? You want them to work for free?
Everything looked ok in
Everything looked ok in minneapolis yesterday. I didn't see anything there i would've done differently. Just a mostly peaceful evening until the screaming started. Probably should've left before that happened. Next time, i will. Most of the people there were happy and minding their own business - the weather wasn't the greatest.
Drunken University Riots
The drunken riots at Kent State University and the University of Minnesota over the weekend of April 25-26 more than illustrate the futility of pouring more money into the rat hole of education. These are not one time events. Rather these events are on going every weekend where there is waste and property damage. What a lesson in irresponsibility.
All we receive for our money is a new generation of gutter bum drunks who believe they know something and in reality these drunks are totally ignorant of everything.
When do we extract our heads from the sand? Every penny of government money of any kind should stop and any money received should be returned by these Universities.
Sincerely,
So, we should put
So, we should put Universities out of business because of a few drunks? That makes NO sense whatsoever.
Just wait...
Till the Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup! ;-)
Everything else is JUST a dress rehersal...
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