Police Double Patrol On Northside Mpls
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- North Minneapolis looks a whole lot different following the tornado that dropped from the sky during Sunday's storm.
"A lot of houses without roofs," said Minneapolis Police Officer Paul Gillies as he patrolled the area Thursday afternoon. "I think the big thing is we've got to navigate through all the debris."
Usually close to two dozen police patrol the area on a given day. After the tornado, the police presence has doubled, with 40 to sometimes more than 50 cops are on patrol throughout the day and night.
Patrolling the area also feels a whole lot different, but as far as crime goes, it's not nearly as bad as veteran cop Gillies thought the scene would be. He spends most of his afternoons helping people who need it following the storm.
Gillies admits that some homes have been broken into. Robert Snead's home was one of them.
"Everybody's trying to save their property and the things that they have worked for," said Snead.
He doesn't blame police. He blames society.
"It's a bad time for somebody to try and break into someone's home. Instead of breaking into a home, they need to help somebody out in their home," said Snead.
It comes down to respect, he said. Respect for fellow residents and a police presence working together.
"So we're just talking to people, seeing how they're doing," Gillies said.
He hopes he can make a difference, and he hopes to someday see Northside Minneapolis look a whole lot better than it does now.
