Someone said...

I've seen a number of these signs pop-up in the neighborhood, and I can't help but notice that, with few exceptions, they are in white homeowners yards. "We call" obviously conveys "we call 911" and that the police are on our side. The message, as simple as it is, draws a line in the sand and puts more then just 'criminals' firmly on the other side. It puts anyone with hesitation about police involvement in a threatened position. Regardless of how outstanding much of the 4th precinct police force is, you can't ignore 1) the historical abuse of power of police in Minneapolis and nationwide against the black community and 2) the recent cases of police abuse specifically in Minneapolis. These signs are nothing more then a threat of police power, a firm acknowledgment that there is a division in this community, not unity. Consider a rewording that conveys that we engage with our neighbors, we know the kids down the street and we can call their parents when they are being too loud, that we are a unified community and neighborhood.