Human Rights and Diversity - 03/14/2005 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2005 7:00 pm, 125 Eden Prairie Center
Office of Housing and Human Services
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Piumbroeck, (Chair) Jeff Strate (Vice-chair),
Gerry Beckmann, Pam Spera, Cari Maguire, and
Balu Iyer
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Hojun Lee, Tara Degn
Guests: Rob Reynolds, Deputy Chief of Police
Lt. Jim DeMann- Eden Prairie Police
Sgt. Randy Thompson - Eden Prairie Police
Jennifer Inz- Gregerson, Rosow, Nilan &Johnson
Lynn Gerde- Sun Current Newspaper
Commission Staff: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison (Acting Recording
Secretary)
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Commission Chair Larry Piumbroeck called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Commission Member Linda Chung and Student Representative Jackie Beutell were
absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Beckmann, seconded by Iyer to approve the agenda.
Motion Carried 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY MEETING
MOTION by Strate to table approval of the February minutes until the next meeting,
seconded by Maguire.
Motion Carried 6-0.
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March 14, 2005
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(Due to the absence of the normal recording secretary, Mary Zilka, it could not be
determined if the changes Commission Strate had called in to her were ever added to the
minutes, therefore Commissioners decided to table the approval until the April meeting.)
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. BIAS CRIME NETWORK TRAINING
Sgt. Randy Thompson - Criminal Investigations
Jennifer Inz- Prosecution and Charging Decisions
Molly Koivumaki- The Bias Crime Network
Sgt. Thompson presented information on how crimes are investigated,beginning
with the relationship between the Patrol and Investigation Divisions of the Police
Department. He outlined the extensive notification process,from the officer who
takes the report, to the investigator who is assigned,to the Chief of Police, to the
HRDC Liaison, to the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Thompson read the Department Directive that covers how crimes of bias are
investigated. He explained the importance of showing motive as an element in a
crime of bias. He also listed four possible dispositions that the case may result in:
1. Cleared by Arrest- Charged either as a Misdemeanor or Felony
2. Cleared Exceptionally- Circumstances related to the victims level of involvement
3. Cleared Unfounded- unable to find the elements necessary to investigate the case
4. Inactivated- may be reactivated if new leads come in
Thompson highlighted three types of misdemeanor crimes for which "enhancements"
exist that make the charges more severe if it is proven that bias was an element in
committing the crime:
1. Harassment/Stalking
2. Damage to Property
3. Assault 41h Degree
Thompson ended his remarks by talking about the importance of understanding the
community impact of bias crimes and the need to work closely with the media.
Next, Jennifer Inz, an attorney with the law firm Gregerson, Rosow, Nilan and
Johnson spoke about how charging decisions are made, and clarified the meaning of
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March 14, 2005
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enhancements; misdemeanors may be come gross misdemeanors or felonies if bias
was an element in the crime.
Inz explained the process that occurs when she is sent a case from the police
department to consider for prosecution. She looks at all the evidence, making a
second level of analysis, and needs to be able to prove the case beyond a reasonable
doubt.
Inz talked about the impact on the victim and reasons why a victim may be reluctant
to go forward with the case. She explained that after she prepares her case it gets sent
to a judge for yet another review. If the judge is in agreement that all the elements are
present to proceed with the case, a summons is issued for the defendant to appear in
court.
Inz prepares a letter for the victim, explaining their rights and the laws concerning
criminal prosecution.
After the case has been tried and a disposition has been reached, Inz prepares a
summary of the sentencing or other outcome which is then sent back to the police
department and becomes part of the case file.
Next, Molly Koivumaki addressed the group about the Bias Crime Network, giving
the history behind the formation of the network,how it can become activated and the
varying degrees of activation.
The Bias Crime Network is designed to give assistance to an individual or family who
has been the victim of a bias crime, regardless if they have filed a police report. The
network is made up of(but not limited to) volunteers from local churches. Their
efforts will be dependant upon the type of crime, the wishes of the victim and the
general circumstances involved.
Koivumaki gave examples of the kinds of things volunteers might do;write letters of
support to the local newspapers, organize a vigil, supervise children at a bus stop, etc.
Commissioner Jeff Strate requested that information about the Bias Crime Network
be posted on the City's website. Koivumaki said she would follow up with Pat Brink
the Communications Manager for the City of Eden Prairie about that request.
V. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRQ
Koivumaki said the committee met at the Senior Center on Monday, March 71h. Sgt.
Randy Thompson gave an update on Solution Finders. That group of Somali High
School students met on March V,with a turn out of about 50 students. The group
will meet again in early April, and will tour the Senior Center.
B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS
No changes or updates to report.
C. EDEN PRAIRIE LIBRARY/GATHERING EVENT
Koivumaki reported that she had been in contacted by Ali Turner of the Hennepin
County Library about the idea of a Gathering-style event focusing on Somali
teenagers. Koivumaki invited any interested Commissioner to attend a meeting with
Turner,which will be held later in March, to discuss the idea of this HRDC and
Hennepin County library joint venture. Commissioner Beckmann indicated she was
interested in attending such a meeting. Koivumaki will confirm the date with Turner
and notify the Commissioners via email.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Commission Chair Piumbroeck wrote a thank you letter to Mr. John Mallo and Ms.
Lee Heikens
VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG)
No Report
B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT
Strate thanked the Sun Current for publishing the All of Us column a few weeks ago.
He also stated he had not heard back from the Lion's Club regarding the Jean L.
Harris Scholarship request. He has sent a letter to the Chamber of Commerce about
the scholarship program and the human rights awards. He will follow up with Pat
MulQueeny, the Chamber President.
Commissioner Maguire had questions about the gathering event Koivumaki reported
on. She wondered about the origin of the idea, since it was never an agenda item.
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March 14, 2005
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Beckmann gave the background information on the idea and noted that it will be on
the agenda for the April HRDC meeting.
Commissioner Iyer stated this would be his last meeting since his term on the HRDC
has expired. He said being on the Commission had been a very enjoyable experience.
Maguire reported that the first International Festival Committee meeting would be
held on Monday, April 4, at 7:00 pm, at the City Center.
Beckmann reported that she attended a wonderful program at Oak Point School,
which was the culmination of work students had done to interview three local"elders"
to learn about their stories. Those stories were then turned into song by legendary
folk musician Larry Long. The song was incorporated into the theme of the program.
Beckmann moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm, seconded by Iyer.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0