Crime & Safety in Seward

Seward is one of the best — if not THE best — neighborhood in Minneapolis. The
interconnection of its residents, the arts, the environment, community development ... all
combine to make Seward what it is.

But Seward is not a neighborhood that rests on its laurels. There’s always a lot to be done to
maintain its standing. Unfortunately, it’s not always the fun and up-beat things that need
maintaining. As with every other Minneapolis neighborhood, Seward has its share of crime and
safety issues (thefts, burglaries, muggings and, sad to say, even murders). A summary of
Seward crimes 2010 (January - October 26) is provided on the next pages. We definitely are
not “crime-ridden”, as are some neighborhoods, but we would like to be better ... safer.

This year, the SNG Crime & Safety Committee met in a special neighborhood-wide meeting in
January, and met regularly in February, April, July and September. A meeting also is planned
for December 13, 2010, at which we will devise the 2011 Seward - Minneapolis Police / 3rd Prct
Community Development Plan. (All of you who have ideas on how the City and the 3rd Prct.
might assist Seward in becoming a safer community and what Seward might do to help itself
become a safer community are invited to attend. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at
Matthews Center.)

As with all else it does, SNG tires to be proactive in such issues, but it is difficult to do so
without the help of volunteers. The SNG Crime & Safety Committee gives thanks to the 2010
C&S stalwarts [Joey Brochin, Clem Engen, June Prange, Carolyn Schurr, Pam McConville, Shun
Tillman (3rd Prct, CCP/SAFE) and Diann Anders (whom we especially thank for her minutes-
taking), and, behind the scenes, Mike Rollin] and others who came to share concern and ideas
[Annalee Brown, Joe Buck, Peter Fleck, Bob Hain, Andrew Koebrick, Alex Munholland, Nasra
Noor, Anne Risch, Jennifer Schoenheit, Terry Schwizer, Peter Solac, Karen Sorenson, Hans
Steege, Karin Todd, Mary Weber, Jim Welna and Dick Westby, as well as to the many Seward
residents who attended the special meeting last January. (Thanks, too, to Robin Garwood &
Cam Gordon for listening to Committee concerns and offering advice as appropriate.)]

The C&S Committee once met monthly, now “quarterly” or “as necessary”, and volunteers are
needed to keep it running and to make it better and more efficient. We need a new Chair,
someone to help with organization (or reorganization? Perhaps different emphases are
needed.) / getting guest speakers / communication / minutes-taking / etc.

We look forward to seeing you at the December 13 meeting regarding the Seward Community
Policing Plan, and please come to the January 2011 meeting (January 10, 2011) at Matthews
Center to help decide the future of the C&S Committee.

Respectfully,

Kathy Sikora for the Committee