Northside residents are tired of absentee landlords and corner store owners who neglect the problems created by their properties. In the first action of their new campaign to hold property owners accountable, Northside ACORN (Northside Neighbors United!) held a demonstration on February 4 in front of the Northside Food Market on 36th and Lyndale, which neighbors have long complained is a hot spot for loitering, drug dealing and other criminal behavior. The demonstrators demanded that the store owner halt the sale of all drug related paraphernalia (including blunts and rolling papers), install better lighting and surveillance cameras, and hire a professional security guard to deter loitering.
The group picketed outside the store while Northside ACORN Co-chair, Beverly Stancile, negotiated with the police and reached a tentative agreement from the owner to stop the sale of rolling papers, a form of drug paraphernalia that encourages the use and sale of drugs in the neighborhood. The group plans to meet privately with the owner to discuss the other demands.
With help and participation from residents, they will continue this work and challenge all corner stores and absentee landlords in the Northside to be responsive and accountable to the community. Northside Neighbors United works on issues that affect lower and moderate-income people. They've been working on neighborhood safety issues including community policing and beat cops, attaining speed bumps, diversifying the police force, and most recently holding corner stores and property owners accountable to neighborhoods. They meet the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., at North Commons Community Center 1801 James Ave N. The next meeting is March 16. For info contact D'Andre Norman at 651-642-9639 or mnacorn@acorn.org.