Maybe they will come to the conclusion we need to send thousands of more dollars to Poops former(?) ad agency to tell people how to ignore the homeless problem. Maybe more 0% interest rates for wealthy historical homeowners is the answer? I think some of those Queen Anne and Victorians could hold quite a few transients.
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.
I took this pic about 11 AM this morning between Cherry Rock park and Rotary park. Someone peeked their head out as I was riding away.
I just shook my head a few weeks ago when some talking heads with the city said that the transient/nuance problem downtown is getting better. Really? Maybe during the day, but when I ride at night, I have never seen that many different groups. I did a headcount last week and it averages about 15 individuals I see camped out after dark each night in about 6 different areas downtown. Not all are sleeping but most have their camp setup and ready for the night. I have also seen many camps along the bike trail underneath picnic shelters. I’m not sure who is providing the messaging folks data or what they are being communicated, but the problem has gotten progressively worse since June. Not sure what the solution is, but lying to the public about it and ignoring the problem isn’t a solution either.
So I was thinking, maybe the solution to our goose problem is shipping them off to Springfield, Ohio? Just keep the residents away from our dog parks. Those folks would have a feeding frenzy. Oh, Donny, the stories you weave.
AND IT CONTINUES TO PILE ON
While a certain dynamic duo in town seems to have the governor on the run with her credit card statements I got a chuckle out of what this news organization(?) had to say about why they are doing it;
COMBATTING SECRECY AND IGNORANCE
That’s rich considering these two hid investor information from the public when applying to be the legal newspaper of Sioux Falls, oh, and got the unethical council and SOS’s office in on your scam. Government SECRECY!? You make me laugh. Also, how do you combat ignorance? Ignorance is the lack of knowledge on any particular topic. So is this paper going to make the public more aware of the corruption in Pierre with their 4,000 subscriptions? I’m dying! Hopefully you will figure out what hair and nail salons Noem has been visiting these days. The public is DYING to know, just don’t give them the info in a gravel pit.
SPECIAL CONTRACTS FOR SPECIAL PEEPS
Well it was like Christmas for certain ad agencies in town last Tuesday at the City Council meeting;
Councilor Ryan Spellerberg brought two separate amendments Tuesday night – both of which passed unanimously and with minimal council discussion. One allocated $150,000 for a marketing campaign to encourage the public to donate to charities rather than to panhandlers.
Yes Kids, instead of actually taking REAL capital and spending it on bus tickets to help get these folks home or a street outreach program that picks these folks up at night we are giving the money to well connected ad agencies to tell us to NOT give to these folks. Talk about government ignorance!
With the recent closure of the Sioux City warming shelter we are in deep doo doo this winter. Instead of finding ways to ignore these folks, maybe come up with a plan for this winter, like NOW! I hate to say it, but I have a feeling we are going to be reading about a lot of homeless tragedies this winter.
I heard next week the council is going to fund a marketing campaign called, “Nothing to see here, move along.” it will be for discouraging folks to come to public input and public meetings.
SPEAKING OF DEAD GEESE
Not sure this ties in, but I don’t care. The city wants to see the entire Delbridge Collection sold as a group. Like I said, could care less about a bunch of dusty monkeys in Lenin’s Tomb, but there is some historic and scientific value to the collection and we should save it. I think we are missing a massive opportunity here to build a very unique exhibit, but instead we have to make sure the Mayor and his friends make money building a convention center we don’t need. SHINY BALL, MUST TOUCH!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I was having a random convo today with someone who works closely with our homeless brothers and sisters and I asked him about the ‘busload of transients’. He did confirm to me that a bus did show up, from Minnesota with South Dakota tribal members who were homeless in the cities, at least that is what he gathered from talking with some of them.
Then he randomly says after he told me there was a big meetin’ with the mayor and the other non-profits who work with transients that Paul plans to make homelessness illegal. I asked, ‘How do they intend to make homelessness illegal?’ He replied that they are going to put signs* in public spaces, parks, etc. that says there is NO sleeping in the parks and they will be served with a trespassing violation. In other words the TAXPAYERS and the counties will be on the hook for the fines, etc.
There is a better solution, have the non-profits set up night teams that go out with a van and pick these people up from the parks. I also think the city, state and county need to fund an emergency shelter where people can check in, pass out and have no questions asked. Not everyone needs to be saved by Jesus, I’m just sayin’.
*I find it funny they plan to have these signs installed by October 1st. Good luck with that, they still haven’t figured out how to put up proper speed signage in the parks so I’m guessing when the dude said October, he meant 2025.
l3wis