Author Archives: J.J. Bugs

It’s heating up in Minneapolis. Just last night, another person was murdered in north Minneapolis. The north side has a reputation for violence, gangs, drugs, and murder. Some say it’s overblown, while others refuse to drive through there. With anything, there is nonsense to navigate and profound things to spotlight.

Here is what we know.

The map you see here is a map overlay of the Minneapolis ShotSpotter Shots Fired report. These maps display the locations of shootings, reports of shots fired, and ShotSpotter activation. The site PoliceClips overlaid the last 2 weeks of March through the start of June. It shows north Minneapolis lit like a Christmas tree.

Last night, a man was shot multiple times and died in what was believed to be a drive-by shooting in north Minneapolis. The shooting was the 20th homicide in Minneapolis this year, the majority of which have taken place on the north side. Minneapolis reported at least 32 homicides for the entire year in 2014, so we are on pace to beat that record this year.

Despite the banging, good things are happening in this part of the city. As one resident says in this video, “If you’re gonna be scared, then you’re gonna find something to scare ya. You find what you’re looking for, and if you are looking for trouble, you’ll probably find it.” He goes on to say if you are looking for goodness and your mind is open to that, you can find that, too. There is truth and wisdom in those words.

What he doesn’t say is that, just by being in the neighborhood, trouble can also find YOU, even when you are minding your own business. That is the reality.

This video by Filmmakers Josh and Morgan of Chitwood Media shows that residents of north Minneapolis can go beyond hope and take back their city. They own it. I applaud that message and hope it drives more change for the good. They can’t do it without addressing the problems that plague the neighborhood, though. Farmers markets, candlelight vigils, and community gardens won’t stop the killing.

Comments welcome.