Councilmember Says North Minneapolis Gun Violence Must Be Addressed

<p>In an open letter on social media, Minneapolis councilmember Phillipe Cunningham says his efforts to address gun violence have been blocked by Mayor Frey and the police department. <br>-<br>Georgia Fort reports: </p><p><br></p><p>Ward 4 City Councilmember Phillipe Cunningham is calling on Mayor Jacob Frey to come up with a plan to address the gun violence in North Minneapolis. Cunningham addressed the mayor in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/minneapolisward4/posts/1803070999865158">an open letter on social media</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>“I’ve reached a place as a councilmember where I can’t quietly try to bring this mayor along in prioritizing North Siders and our lives here,” said Cunningham. “Instead I had to bring it out to the public, so folks can see what I have been dealing with.”</p><p><br></p><p>Cunningham says he has a responsibility to his constituents and they deserve to know his efforts are continually road blocked by the Mayor and the Minneapolis Police Department.</p><p><br></p><p>“This is about life or death. I live in one of the hottest hotspots in North Minneapolis. 78 shots fired just a couple of days ago, 2 children killed blocks from my house,” said Cunningham. “We need this to be urgently addressed. Children are dying. We need a plan Mayor, what is the plan?”</p><p><br></p><p>The Mayor did respond to Cunningham. <a href="https://www.fox9.com/news/minneapolis-leaders-air-frustrations-over-recent-crime-residents-just-want-action">According to Fox 9 News</a> a part of his response said “<em>I would encourage you to support Chief Arradondo’s request for increased staffing levels moving forward.”  </em></p><p><br></p><p>Cunningham says that’s not the solution: </p><p><br></p><p>“In no way is this asking for simply more police. When we talk about comprehensive public safety we’re not just talking about reducing police violence we are talking about reducing community violence.”</p><p><br></p><p>Cunningham says he wants to take intel from the MPD and the Office of Violence Prevention to id