I warned some city councilors several months ago that with the increase of transients in Sioux Falls, things like this would occur;
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A 32-year-old Sioux Falls man has now been indicted on murder charges after a man he allegedly assaulted passed away from his injuries.
Robin Swallow was indicted by the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office on Wednesday for murder in the first degree and one alternative count of murder in the second degree.
The incident occurred on September 22 near 12th Street and Cleveland Avenue in Sioux Falls.
A group of people were drinking in an area of trees when an altercation occurred.
A 64-year-old man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and Swallow was arrested for aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery and a parole violation.
The victim has been identified as Michael Raymond Colvin of Sioux Falls. Police said Colvin was hospitalized for several weeks and ultimately passed away. After an autopsy, Colvin’s death was ruled a homicide.
The troubling part is what if an innocent bystander happened upon this? Would they have been safe? The ‘transient’ problem we have in Sioux Falls isn’t just about addicts wandering our streets aimlessly it’s about a city government and police department that have stood their ground in NOT helping to MANAGE the issue, and also NOT filling us in. Why does the SFPD have a public information officer if that officer doesn’t tell us anything?!
It’s time the City Council had a serious working session to discuss a long term strategy on how to MANAGE the issue before more people end up dead.
When they start “eating the pets” of Taupeville, then maybe our city leaders will begin to do something about all of this, but until then, they will continue to build the Riverline District area in hopes of pushing the homeless into another part of town…. and maybe that will be your neighborhood next….. Because , for instance, I know there’s a vacant home at 33rd and Duluth that they could use…. 🙂
( and Woodstock adds: “You know, I’ve been so tempted to place a Trump/Vance sign in front of that house at 33rd and Duluth”…. 🙂 )
‘The Pets of Taupeville,’ that would make for a great novel. It could have a ‘Peyton Place’ twist to it involving escorts, “Hookers & Cake”, and “Limitless” men with also a ‘Stepford Wives’ touch to it that depicts the conformity (Isn’t taupe-ness enough?), obedience, and submission that this community illustrates and has to offer.
I became aware in July of a homeless man who is living under a tall fir tree just a few feet south of West 26th St and S Dakota Ave. He has lined the tree with garbage and boxes and since the weather has turned colder, he now uses a dirty dark blue blanket as a coat. I’ve spoken with Walgreen’s manager who doesn’t know who owns that property (it’s separated by a wall between Walgreen’s and the strip of property with the fir trees) but he didn’t know someone is living under a tree. He frequently stacks bottles on top of the wall. Walgreen’s removes them. I used the city’s app in September to Report An Issue and as far as I know, nothing has been done to help the man. I saw him Thursday early afternoon while I was on my daily walk. It has occured to me that maybe he doesn’t want help. I am considering contacting SFPD to find out if they can help him but after reading your post, I’m now discouraged.