Why You Must Carry a Cane in MInneapolis (and other large cities)

The beleaguered Minneapolis Police Department, operating without the support of their mayor and city council is facing a mass exodus of officers. More than 300 officers have announced plans to either retire or transfer to other nearby departments where they will have the support of their local government and citizenry.

In the interim, some parts of Minneapolis face a state of near lawlessness as crime rates soar, and the remaining officers are targeting only the most violent offenses. Shootings, murders, carjackings, and muggings have skyrocketed as criminals realize they can commit crimes with little consequence. Responding to property crimes is the lowest priority for the dwindling number of Minneapolis officers on duty. Criminals and predators are especially targeting cell phones, purses, and carjackings for "grab and go" attacks. Victims have been threatened by guns, attacked by roving gangs of predators, dragged, beaten, and even “Maced” during attacks. In the Third Precinct alone, they reported more than 100 robberies and 20 carjackings in July 2020. Understandably, Minneapolis's real estate values are plummeting downward, and businesses in the once-thriving city are suffering as citizens are increasingly afraid to shop and dine out.

In an unprecedented move this week, the Minneapolis Police Department issued a WARNING for residents and visitors. They offered tips for surviving in the city as traditional law and order are no longer in place. This alert should serve as a stark reminder to all of us of the consequences of disbanding and defunding the police, and why carrying your cane should become necessary in Minneapolis and other big cities with similar problems.

The Minneapolis Police offered the following suggestions to prevent robberies when visiting parts of Minneapolis:

Below are some tips offered by police to prevent robberies:

• Walk in groups, and never alone,
• Be alert to your surroundings at all times. Don't monitor your cell phone while walking. Pay attention to anyone around you or following you. Be hyper-aware of your surroundings at all times, don't be distracted;
• If you don't need it on you, don't carry it! Carry only the minimal amount of cash you'll need and only a single credit card. Some individuals have even resorted to taking "dummy" wallets with a few dollars in money and an expired credit card that can be handed to a criminal if mugged.
• Recognize that you may have to surrender your cell phone, money, credit cards, and automobile if confronted by a robber(s). Be prepared to give everything up without a fight.
• As you approach your vehicle, have your keys in your hand so that you can quickly hand them over to a carjacker.
• Unless you have no other choice and your life is in danger, don't fight back! Your safety is most important;
• Be a good witness, be prepared to tell police how many suspects, age, height, complexion, hair and eye color, and any other descriptive features, any weapons they had, what they left in, and what direction they went.

The police offered additional tips to reduce robberies:

• Lock your doors immediately when entering your automobile and keep doors locked as you drive.
• NEVER stop if a stranger approaches your car… no matter what the ruse.
• Only park in areas that are well lighted. Ask friends to accompany you to your car, and then drive them to retrieve their car.
• Always be hyper-aware of your surroundings;
• Install a tracking device ion your automobile to aid police in its recovery.
• Don't take valuables with you into the city and NEVER leave them in your automobile.
• Never walk away from your vehicle with it running or with the keys left in the ignition.
• Keep a photo of your license plate on your phone if you need to report your car stolen.

From Cane Masters, we urge you to be smart, follow the police suggestions, and always carry your cane with you when away from your home!