A year later, Minneapolis is still feeling the strain of George Floyd's death. From the citizens who live and work in the city to the police officers trying to keep everyone safe, the tumultuous year has taken a toll on everyone.
Lack of Support
Many police officers have left the Minneapolis police departments over the past year. According to former police officer Steve Dykstra, officers in Minneapolis "feel helpless."
"This goes back before George Floyd. Since around 2015, I know the city of Minneapolis has been backpedaling, taking tools away from police to enforce the law and keep the streets safe."
Steve Dykstra
However, Dykstra says city leaders have been taking away the "tools" officers need to do their jobs effectively long before the "tragic" murder of George Floyd.
Dykstra says, "They feel pretty helpless out there."
Shortage of Officers, Rising Crime
Now that Minneapolis has fewer officers and growing crime, they are looking to the state and federal governments for assistance. Violence is raging through the city, including a mass shooting.
The shooting killed a college student just before his graduation. The uptick in violence has led officials to offer a $30,000 reward in the search for the suspects in a shooting that hit three children. One was a 9-year-old girl who was jumping on her trampoline.
Saturday's shooting left two dead and eight people wounded. The gunfire began slightly before 2 a.m. According to investigators, two men were arguing and then fired as a crowd began to gather.
Two hundred Minneapolis police officers have left their departments over the past years. Most of them cite post-traumatic stress because of the civil unrest that happened after Floyd's death.
No End In Sight
The city has 31 deaths this year, and it does not seem to be slowing down. Dykstra blames much of it on policy.
"You take away loitering laws and the ability to pursue vehicles. You don't have to stop for the police in Minneapolis anymore, thanks to Mayor Frey and the city council. Cops get frustrated. What you see is chaos, violence, and reoccurring crime."
Steve Dykstra
The reason Dykstra left the force? Mayor Frey gave officers the order to leave their precinct, forcing them to watch as protestors lit it on fire. He also told officers to use a "soft" approach to the riots and rioters.
For Dykstra and many of the other officers, that was the last straw.
Let them burn it to the ground.
If citizens are not fighting city hall, they must like it.
George Floyd was a criminal not a hero.
You have it in one, Butch. They will keep on voting the way their parents and grandparents, and the local news instructs them to.
And as long as they do the city will come down around their ears. Speaks well,of their intelligence, doesn’t it?
some one needs to get rid of the mayor and city councl
It’s not just the mayor and city council, the biggest problem that needs to be fixed is the attorney general on that state and city. Eliminate them, bring in law and order attorneys and the problem gets fixed!
The left gets dumber every day.
It is so terrible to think of what has happened to Minneapolis, St Paul, and Minnesota!! It is unfortunate that Jesse Ventura was not Governor during the time of the unfortunate death of George Floyd!
When common sense is taken out of government, anarchy steps in.
Even though it was probably voter fraud that got and keeps Ilhan Omar in DC politics backing violent foreign Islamic Sharia Jihad. That's their problem!
They must like the attention they are getting from the riots, i mean peaceful burning and looting. The people doing this just need a new tv, playstation, or whatever they think they will need. If popo is smart they would leave. If the city doesnt have my back as an officer i would take the high road out of town and swaking tires all the way. That may just be to get away from the peaceful protester chasing you down for your car or everything they want. Poor protester can not go without now...
You don't obey orders that are against your training. You stand firm in front of criminals and obviously these types of rioters who would burn the place of protection should receive just punishment by the officers no matter what some treasonous whimp orders you to do. You ALL know what is right....stand strong and unite against the thugs. Ya'll live here too you know. Be strong. Go home and be able to look yourself in the mirror for Christ's sake.
Well if this is the "last straw" there is a simple solution ever cop gets the blue flu and walk out. Until then its nothing but complaining and doing nothing but giving lip service. Do something and fight back already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree.If all policemen didn’t show up at work for a week maybe the lunatics in
charge would realize how crazy and stupid
it is to abandon our brave police!Let them defend themselves and see how they like it.Remember when the coming civil war starts we will stand with the police!
Vigilante time Lock & Load Full Auto.
OK MN.
In most times you get what you pay for, defund the police you get more crime. This is only going to get worse. The thugs, rioters, murderers is what keeps me out of the cities Americans there need to stand up to your so called leadership….
The LEFT wants all the violence they can get & the police try to stop violence.
Which is why they don't like the Police in Liberal Bastions...
All officers should go on strike for a week. Do nothing until the Mayor and the powers to be change their stance. Let the city go into chaos. What happens, happens. Tell the citizens to arm themselves and hope for the best. I would think that after a week, things would change quickly.
well, now what?
Well, you KNOW they're gonna blame the cops for not being there...
Congratulations to all the Police Officers who are moving on, don't stay in the place where your Elected Officials think is is OK to let rioters, criminals do anything they want, & ask you to stand by & watch it happen. What happened to George Floyd was wrong, but to make a hero out of him is a disgrace, he was a criminal. I think of all the Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty, no one gave their Families Millions of Dollars. or were invited to the White House, wake up People without Police your town or city will turn out like the City of Minneapolis, people there can call their City Counsel Members for help when violence gets out of control. My Prayers go out to all the Men in Blue, thank you for our safety everyday & risking your life. There are people out there who will be offended & you know what I really don't give a dam. There is still Freedom of Speech & thought left in this Country.
"The uptick in violence has led officials to offer a $30,000 reward in the search for the suspects in a shooting that hit three children. One was a 9-year-old girl who was jumping on her trampoline. Saturday’s shooting left two dead and eight people wounded. The gunfire began slightly before 2 a.m." Uh, I realize this is a little off topic, but, WTF is a 9 year old girl doing jumping on a trampoline at 2AM? And, why didn't those neighbors take care of it when two a-holes started shooting, which ended up shooting THREE KIDS??? You do that crap in MY neighborhood, you get shot, yourself! Geez, and now I suppose these fools will be blaming the cops for NOT doing anything! No damned wonder the cops are leaving! Who can blame them...
WTF was a 13 year old doing out at 2:30 am with a gun in hand? Where the hell are the parent's. I was in bed by 9 pm during summer when I was 9.
Sad situation. It’s only going to get worse as the police are not allowed to do their jobs - and just retire or leave the job they love. More criminals coming in to the country every day. I don’t agree with our PRESIDENT and VP. They don’t see this mess as chaos. It’s a crisis and we need LAWS and we need them ENFORCED.
MINNEAPOLIS , THE HERO'S IN BLUE NEED TO GET OUT OF THAT INFECTED CITY. THE POLITICIANS ARE SCARED OF THE MOB,AND THAT ILLIAN OMAR IS FANNING THE FLAMES. JUST DON'T MOVE TO CHICAGO, THE MAYOR IS RACIST AND HER CITY CRIME IS LIKE A WAR ZONE. THE FEDS WILL SOON CHARGE HER CRIMINAL RACISM AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. I KNOW SHE IS NO LONGER THE MAYOR, THERE SHOULD BE A FEDERAL WARRANT ISSUED ON HER.
What a mess! I stand with our police! God bless them!