It's the Crime!!!
Drugs, fighting, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, & child abuse. In 2006, St. Paul police visited the St. Paul Porky's for all of these reasons and more.
If the St. Paul Porky's cannot control their existing business, why would we want to invite them to Northeast Minneapolis?
On October 26, the owner of Porky's stated that the Police hadn't visited Porky's in its 53 years of existence. The Truth: 22 visits in 2006 and 31 in 2005.
What other business on Central draws this kind of crime?
--Neighbors Against Porky's--
neighborsagainstporkys@gmail.com
posted by Neighbors Against Porky's @ 9:28 AM
6 Comments:
From Pioneer Press on 11/8/06
"...The other problem, Clark said, is the reputation Porky's has for attracting 1950s car buffs. The hot-rod aficionados tend to draw loud "boom cars" and "tweaked-out Jettas," Clark said."
As a self described member of the 'hot-rod' community, I would like to comment on the above quote from today's paper.
I am a founding member of traditionalsmn.org, which is a group of people who love 'hotrods'. This "Clark" person (sorry, I've forgotten the first name) is generalizing by using that term. The 'niche' you should be concerned with is the 'tuner' crowd. These are the people that the entire midway (St.Paul) area can thank for ruining what was once a well controlled, good time for people like me (a hotrodder) and the community of people that choose to live around Porky's. This is the 16-25 age group who are litering, driving like the reckless fools they are, street racing and generally being a nuisance. I, for one, will not associate with this crowd. The 'hotrod' crowd abandoned Porky's many many years ago because of the crowd that now hangs out there.
Bottom line....hotrodder's shouldn't have to endure this guilt by association, especially when WE DO NOT ASSOCIATE with them and, in fact, DIS-associate ourselves with that crowd at every available opportunity.
My club, "The Traditionals" is working to try to change the public's incorrect perception that all car enthusiasts are bad news. We have monthly meetings at a variety of businesses in the metro area and always have some 'cause' during the winter months. Last year, we did a canned food/dry goods collection each month and donated it to whatever area food shelf our meetings were nearest to. We also collected 300 car magazines and sent them at our expence to the troops in Bosnia.
Please! Don't think that the folks who love the 60's and earlier cars are all bad. We aren't.
www.traditionalsmn.org
if there is a police station across the street from the location, why are you so worried about the crime?
I also take offense as to what was said, in the paper and for your blog to be written saying that all hot rod buffs(like it or not but newer cars are hotrods too by the definition) are criminals, I am very much involved in the car scene and very very few people out of the hundreds to thousands that go out to university on the weekends drive like idiots, I have also never seen one person doing drugs or drinking while at porkys or any of the other surrounding hang out spots. Yes alot of the cars are loud, but it is just a spot for people to go and talk about there hobby and see what other people have done to their cars. Basically all car people are not criminals and to say that is just ignorant.
Actually for traditionalism to say that the so called mainly made up issues at porkies are because of the tuner crowd is hypicritical. Its the same as saying all the old farts who drive slow old slant six hot rods are the reason it gets the reputation it does. Check out www.mnsportcompacts.net most of the tuner crowd does'nt even associate itself with porkys its mainly the muscle and hot rod crowd, but they are not criminals either its just a few bad apples.
Two things.
In the Pioneer Press story, I attempted to be very clear that it is the disrespectful segment that concerns me. The folks I've met who rebuild Hot Rods know how to take care of their cars (many 'tuners' likely do as well). However, my visits and time living in the Midway area of St. Paul proved to me that attempts to find a balance that met neighbors concerns and kept the area safe were difficult to create. Especially since it appears that where one car group wants to be so does the next. For a destination like that to work, it needs to be away from residences.
Regarding the proximity to the police station, I'm concerned about the resources that will be forced to ensure the civility is maintained. In St. Paul, there are nights where the police monitor the crowds on horses and are forced to put a squad car on every corner.
This is not allocating our limited police resources wisely.
PS: I'm pleased to hear TradMN's group is doing great work.
tqlfaI think we have plenty of crime on Central Ave. now I have seen drug dealers on 26th and Central behind the Old Pizza Hut and I am sure Sully's must get its share of Police calls. Its time we get some American food on Central Ave. I think we have a bigger issue with all the Northside drug dealers moving across the river.
This arguement is very close to dragging in the MSRA, hosts of "Back To The 50's" in St. Paul each June. Just to set the recods straight, we are not the ones driving the "Boom Cars" and "Tweaked out Jettas". We don't bleach the streets and set out to do illegal drag racing.
MSRA members are not only mechanics, but doctors, lawyers, engineers, office workers, students, white, blue and pink collar workers, police officers, firefighters and others who strive to preserve the old car hobby.
As an organization we voulnteer to pick up trash, visit nursing homes, juvenile centers. When someone breaks down, you can count on us to stop to help stranded motorists. We award thousand of dollars in scholarships each year. We help to stock food shelves and collect somethng approaching two tons of aluminum pop tabs for Ronald McDonald Charaties. We actively promote safety and try to make sure that the cars we put on the highways are safe and reliable. We are the family friendly organization that provise our cars for almost every civic function.
We gather in almost every town in the state to share our hobby with anyone who is interested. We respect those who don't share our passion for old cars, but are always willing to share it with those who do.
Do we need Porky's? No. And frankly, as far as Porky's having a new location in Minneapolis, we really don't care.
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