Notes from May 1, 2017
Posted by Mike Kraines
MIKE FREEMAN - HENNEPIN COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Mike Freeman has been County Attorney for 14 years. Hennepin County is its own district and it is the busiest court between Chicago and Seattle. Crime overall is down and has been trending down for the past 7 years. Mike spoke about his family’s immigrant past, his respect for immigrants, and that we are a nation of immigrants.
Why crime is down: Good police officers with communities that support and fund their forces. Good neighbors, nonprofit support, and support for kids that keeps them on the right path and thus avoiding crime.
Mike Freeman has been County Attorney for 14 years. Hennepin County is its own district and it is the busiest court between Chicago and Seattle. Crime overall is down and has been trending down for the past 7 years. Mike spoke about his family’s immigrant past, his respect for immigrants, and that we are a nation of immigrants.Why crime is down: Good police officers with communities that support and fund their forces. Good neighbors, nonprofit support, and support for kids that keeps them on the right path and thus avoiding crime.
Cases brought by Hennepin County to prosecute—90% conviction.
Prison numbers are flat and possibly showing a decline.
In the 1980’s spending on higher education was 15% of state budget and prisons was 7%. Today those numbers have flipped. We spend more on prisons.
Drug addiction needs treatment not criminalization. Dealing drugs is a crime.
Opiates are a big problem. Prescription drug abuse, and kids getting their parents drugs. Heroin is nothing to mess with and can be cut with stuff like rat poison.
Working to bring stiffest prison sentence when drugs are sold by dealers and lead to death—3rd degree homicide.
Supports no access to guns after having committing a felony.
Kids want to be in school. ”Be in School” program focuses on elementary age kids. Brings together nonprofit and community support to assist kids to be in school.
Working to avoid kids and youth being charged with crimes and having a “record.” With police and nonprofit organization support and involvement, have youth acknowledge their crime and make restitution to avoid getting a record.
Last, Mike Freeman spoke about his desire to have accountability and transparency in his court. Using the Jamal Clark case as an example, he noted that the evidence and video can be viewed online. People can see what he saw in the decision he made. There are over 300,000 hits on the website.
Announcements
- Chicken Challenge: Bring cans of chicken for PROP for their summer food for kids program. You may also purchase Cub Food gift cards that may then be used to purchase chicken. Need volunteers at Byerlys on 5/20 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to solicit donations.
- Swallowship: 5/11/17 5-6:30 PM –Place TBD
- Community Service Grants due 5/31/17
- Need host families for Rotary Youth Exchange
- Test Drive-Next Stop Reality: May 18th at EPHS
- EP Noon Rib Fest 6/11/17 2:00-7:00 PM at Starring Lake. $10.00 in advance, $12.00 day of event
- Tree planting event. More info to come. Joint activity with EP Noon club.
Happy Fines
- Bev Aho: Eden Prairie Community Foundation –great event
- Mike (EP Noon Member): Great to bring the two clubs together.
- Jay Simpson: Parker, past student intern, winner of international DECA
- Brad Aho: Rob Hiller—successful surgery and able to be here with us today!
- Rick (EP Noon Member): EP Noon back to Bear Path after a four day absence. New meeting place for noon club is the Tavern 4&5
- Dick Ward: Daughter’s 3rd running in the Boston Marathon. Personal best on this run!
Visitors
We Welcomed Members of the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club for a joint meeting of our clubs
Ale Pena Gonzalez - Exchange Student
Stella Lindbergh and Bailey DeMets - Student Interns