When I was buying my home, there was no question in my mind I wanted to be in the core of Sioux Falls, and was very lucky to find a home near DT close to McKennan Park.
I have lived in many DT neighborhoods in Sioux Falls over the past 22 years, and even when I was living in the center of Pettigrew Heights before I bought my home, I felt safe. Even walking home late at night. This ‘perception’ that downtown is unsafe has to end, and comments like this, do not help the rumor mill;
Store owner (Man Code) Gabrielle Spangler, 22, said she was nervous about opening a store downtown because she wasn’t sure how safe it was. But she hasn’t had many problems with people loitering or using her store as a warming shelter, she said.
BTW, Gabrielle, not all homeless people are criminals, just so you know.
One thing I have often said Sioux Falls city government needs to work on is the ‘perception’ and ‘culture’ of DT. While we can hand out building permits like candy and have a cop on every corner, the true success of DT will be measured in the popularity of people visiting downtown.
As for the police presence, I have heard the opposite reaction from friends that I try to entice to recreate downtown, “I don’t like coming downtown, because it is crawling with cops.” Some feel uncomfortable DT trying to have ‘fun’ because they may get a violation walking around while enjoying a few adult beverages. The police presence DT actually makes people ‘think’ DT is unsafe, why else would they have so many officers there?
I would suggest more plain clothes officers DT may alleviate this perception.
This is what KDLT reported yesterday:
Right now, the department has one officer specifically assigned to downtown, but will add six more. Two will patrol in the morning hours, three during the afternoon, and two officers will be focusing on the area at night.
The department won’t be adding any extra officers, they will simply be shuffled from the Northeast quadrant to focus on the downtown area.
Interesting that this shift in officers is occurring right before the April mayoral election.
How is it possible that we suddenly can “spare” SIX police officers who are currently assigned to the NORTHEAST quadrant of our city!!??
The NE quadrant is home to more low-income, crime-ridden neighborhoods than any other part of our community.
I wonder what Councilor Anderson Jr. and his constituents think about the LOSS of SIX police officers in their area of town??!!
What did I say about ‘perception’? This isn’t about making us safer.
And BTW, you are right, the NE part of town is the Wild West.
Hey! There isn’t an apartment building FULL of gangbangers across the street from the PD like there was in my N Hollywood neighborhood of LA. Compared to that -this whole town is so mild you can’t taste it. On the other hand – neither is it patrolled by dozens of big buff white officers making sure no one who “liked like they don’t belong” was visible like my neighborhood in Orange County either.
Good grief 6 cops for a 12 block area. WTF is going on at the PD?
I hear the sack of shit officer who killed a kid near Badger is still on the job.
dont forget duluth euclid norton 7 8 9 10 th st to This mayor cant even protect the casinos.
Well, some of our city fathers are obviously scared s******* to wait at a traffic light at night.
Just came through downtown, there may be some unhappy DT RESIDENTS this morning. At least 40 vehicles in a four block stretch of Phillips Avenue who forgot there was a SNOW ALERT.
Wonder if MMM will fix their tickets for them….!!~!!
Downtown Sioux Falls is LESS safe with the new flashing traffic signal arrangement at night. There are now blind intersections on:
Phillips Ave, southbound at 6th, building obscures visiblility to the east, East and West traffic does not have to stop.
Phillips Ave, northbound at 8th, Wells Fargo’s concrete parking lot wall obscures oncoming traffic from the west, East and West traffic does not have to stop.
Phillips Ave at 14th, north and southbound, intersection is not safe after the lights start to flash red at 10pm, due to higher traffic speeds of traffic on 14th.
The expanded police presence should take a look at these intersections while they are downtown.
Oh and the street racing on the loop just moved to south Minnesota Avenure between 33rd and 26th street, northbound. Thousands of dollars of speeding ticket fines are being lost to the city by having no police monitoring that strip at night.
Shouldn’t they put officers where the crime actually happens? That would suggest putting them inside casinos and convenience stores right?
I am so tired of this headline. I showed the Saturday headline to my 11 year old daughter about DT and safety and asked her directly, “do you feel unsafe DT?” She looked at me said, “no, never.” Now, if you want to be a frickin’ idiot and walk around by yourself at 1am through any part of town, then don’t be surprised when the boogie man jumps out, but the last time I checked, you can get mugged at 4pm in the mall parking lot (which never seems to make the media). You have to be smart and when you’re not, you run a risk whether you are DT, in the Buck’s parking lot, or the Shenanigan’s parking lot. Unfortunately – DT gets a bad rap on stupid people.
Most crimes are committed between persons who KNOW each other. Just sayin’.
Just so everyone is aware, the NE quadrant will not lose cops to DT as they will still be available for calls throughout that part of the city. Most times there likely won’t be more than one patrol officer dedicated to DT at a time (and that officer will also be available for NE calls). This focus is being made because DT Sioux Falls shouldn’t be ignored as this city continues to grow, and an attempt is being made to prevent things from getting out of hand while the area is still safe. It would be prudent to not let this area become unsafe like downtowns have in so many other cities as they experience growth. This is especially so since this area produces more and more tax revenue as it grows which will benefit you fine people while you enjoy amenities that make your quality of life better than in many parts of this state and country. NE crime numbers have continually dropped, specifically in DT, due to this type of public awareness. Hopefully it will serve as a model for other districts, and numbers can drop there as well so everyone can enjoy reduced crime. (This focus has been in place for two years now but we are just beginning to complain about it as it now gets press) As for the concern of walking around with an alcoholic beverage, please worry. Public consumption laws are enforced in every part of the city without exceptions so make sure you are aware of the language in your city ordinances as everyone is subject to our laws. Please make sure to attend the DT 2025 plan public events to voice your concerns and ideas.
Don’t get me wrong, I often tell peeps from out of state (I wait on a lot of business people from all over the country) that our two biggest assets are public parks (especially the bike trail) and public safety.
I just think that a presence of uniformed cops DT brings a perception of a lot of crime DT. Not the case. Like I said above, I suggest plain clothes patrols.
Maybe this is what the Mayor is doing in his fear of the people : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Equc9A1pqQk .
When read the things the Mayor and city officials brag about, it makes me think of Mussolini made the trains run on time. It seems our city and state are afraid of the bery people they are supposed to lead.