D10 Crime: Glass is Half Empty, Half Full
Reported crimes in District 10, January-September of each year. Source: Saint Paul Police Crime Incident Report Database
Crimes against people are at a 5-year low in District 10, but crime overall is at a 5-year high, according to preliminary police statistics for the first nine months of 2019.

Crime reported in Como was up 6.2 percent from January-September, compared with the same period in 2018. The total reported crimes -- 671 -- is the highest in the five years that police have made partial-year statistics available. The totals were driven by large increases in theft and vandalism.

But while property crimes were up, "crimes against persons" fell to 38. That is a 5-year low and a 24 percent decrease from 2018. But even that category shows mixed results. There were 8 robberies in the first nine months (a 5-year low) but 13 non-domestic assaults (a 5-year high).

Shots fired were at a 5-year low in the first 9 months, but theft is up 9 percent compared with 2018 (and 33 percent since 2017). Vandalism is up 31 percent from 2018.  And although crime levels remain consistent in much of the neighborhood, a few areas saw significant decreases, while a few areas saw significant increases.
  • See charts and more details on specific types of crimes and 5-year trends in the neighborhood.
The detour route during the scheduled Lexington crosswalk construction.
Lexington Will Close for Crosswalk Work
Construction of the long-delayed crosswalk connecting the lake side of Lexington Parkway with the golf course side is scheduled to start this Monday, Oct. 14. It should last two weeks. 

There will be access to the golf course parking lot and both Lakeside Pavilion parking lots at all times. But during construction, here is when the stretch of Lexington between those two points will be closed (or open):
  • This Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 14-16: Closed 7 a.m.-4 p.m. each day; open 4 p.m.-7 a.m.
  • This Thursday-next Sunday, Oct. 17- 20: Open all day
  • Monday Oct. 21-Wednesday Oct. 23: Closed 24 hours
The marked detour is along East Como Blvd., Arlington, Victoria, Nagasaki, and Horton (see the map). 
Special Election in D10 is Tuesday
Two residents of Sub-District 4 -- Nadine Kottom-Dale and Juan José Miranda Ruiz -- will be on the ballot for the special election to fill a vacancy on the Como Community Council board. You can read the candidates' statements and the full election procedures on District 10's website. 

The special election is this Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. The election is at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other residents age 16 or older who live in Sub-District 4 are eligible to cast a ballot. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization. Community members in Sub-District 4 must vote in person; there is no absentee or proxy voting.

Sub-District 4 includes South Como and Energy Park; it is essentially the part of District 10 that is between the railroad tracks ( see the map).
  • The election precedes the monthly Como Community Council board meeting. Preliminary agenda
Your Last Chance for the Season
We won't let the threat of snow stop us. Bring your canoe or kayak this Saturday, Oct. 12, as neighbors team up to pull trash from Como Lake. If you don't want to be on the water, join us by walking the shoreline and cleaning up litter there. We'll supply snacks, beverages, and equipment. Organized by the District 10 Como Community Council; supported by a grant from the Capital Region Watershed District.

Details:  This Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Meet near the docks outside the Lakeside Pavilion.  Register now (Remember, the water temperature will be warmer than the air temperature!)
Gather 'Round for Fireside Tales
Stories from around the world, a bonfire with s'mores, and a few Halloween fables sprinkled into the evening chill will be part of the family friendly fun as the Como Community Council sponsors "Fireside Tales." The free event is Sunday Oct. 27 around dusk, from 6-7 p.m., at the Como Park fire rings (on Como Ave. between Hamline and Midway Parkway). Wonder Weavers will be the story-tellers. Bring your own chairs or blankets -- and, of course, dress for the weather!
Share Your Ideas on Tenant Protections
Saint Paul holds the first of three community feedback sessions this week on its SAFE Housing initiative -- which stands for stable, accessible, fair and equitable housing. The sessions are part of the process of developing new tenant protection policies such as tenant rights and responsibilities, just cause notice, advance notice of sale, security deposit limits, and tenant screening. The sessions are:
  • This Thursday, Oct. 17, 2-4 p.m. Sun Ray Library's 3M Community Room, 2105 Wilson Ave.
  • Tuesday Oct. 22: 6-8 p.m. Wellstone Center, Room 212, 179 Robie St. E
  • Friday Oct. 25: 1-3 p.m. Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St.
Read a summary of previous fair housing discussions
como curb cleanup
It's Time to Do It Again
For 10 years, the Como Active Citizens Network has organized the Como Curb Cleanup. How you participate is simple: When you rake leaves, rake them out of the street and gutter, too. Why you should participate is simple, too: By keeping leaves and grass clippings out of the gutter, you keep more phosphorus out of our waterways. The payoff? Next summer, Como Lake is less likely to be the stinky, green mess is was this summer.

Phosphorus and other destructive nutrients leach out of leaves when they get wet -- much like a teabag. And the city's curbs, gutters, and storm sewers are extremely effective at washing those nutrients straight into the lake or river. We've seen, and inhaled, the results.

The Como Curb Cleanup is hoping for 150 "demonstration houses" this year -- residents who commit to keeping curbs and storm drains clear, and encouraging neighbors to do the same thing. Sign up or find out more
Shuffling Through the Paperwork
Updates from city hall:
  • 1290 N. Snelling Ave.: The property owner has applied for a height variance to build a gazebo atop the converted firehouse. Zoning allows a maximum height of 30 feet; the firehouse is grandfathered in at a height of 33.4 feet. The request is for a variance of 7.6 feet, allowing the top of the proposed gazebo to reach 41 feet. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. in Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Comments can be submitted in advance by email.
  • 1326 Energy Park Drive: Great River School has applied for an exotic animal permit.
  • 1153 W. California: The property owner has applied for an exotic animal permit.
  • Speedway: The gas station license and liquor license for the convenience store at Lexington and Front are up for renewal on Dec. 1. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 1 Councilmember Dai Thao.
  • Carter's BP: The gas station license for the business at Como, Front and Dale is up for renewal on Dec. 29. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Amy Brendmoen.
There Are Still Detours
  • Energy Park Drive: The street is still down to one lane in each direction just west of Snelling, while Xcel Energy installs a gas main. Work is expected to last another week, until next Friday, Oct 18.
  • Ramsey County Library-Roseville: The county plans to remove the access driveway from Hamline Ave. beginning this Monday, Oct. 14. A new driveway will be built farther north, near the Brown-Wilbert entrance at Commerce Drive. Work is expected to continue into November.
  • Wheelock Parkway: There's more pavement in place, but most of the parkway remains under construction from the Arlington intersection east toward Rice St.
At the Fairgrounds This Weekend
  • Twin Cities Book Festival: This Saturday, Oct. 12, Progress Center and Fine Arts Center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free
  • Parking and shuttle for University of Minnesota football game: This Saturday, Oct. 12, Robin Lot (south and east of Randall Ave.). The Gophers play Nebraska at 6:30 p.m.
  • Roadsters Swap Meet: This Sunday, Oct. 13, parking lots north of Hoyt Ave. 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person ($10 for a swapper spot)
The Rest of the Month
  • Today, Friday Oct. 11: Grand Opening: Capitol Region Watershed District, 3-7 p.m. 595 Aldine St. (at Thomas). Food trucks, music, water bar, activities for kids, and tours of the new headquarters.
  • This Saturday, Oct. 12: American Brain Tumor 5K, 9:30 a.m. Como Park main picnic pavilion, surrounding space, and lake path. Onsite event registration: $20-$40. A shuttle bus will operate from the State Fairgrounds parking lot south of Como Ave.
  • This Saturday, Oct. 12: Meatloaf Dinner to benefit Como Park Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program, 4:30 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 W. Hoyt. $9 adults, $5 children
  • This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13: Highland Park Water Tower Open House, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Intersection of Snelling and Ford Parkway. Free.
  • This Tuesday. Oct. 15: Ward 1 City Council candidate forum, 6:30-8 p.m. Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St. (sponsored by the League of Women Voters St. Paul). Candidates (in alphabetical order) are Anika Bowie, Liz De La Torre, Abu Nayeem, and Dai Thao. Ward 1 includes the part of District 10 south of Front and east of Lexington.
  • This Thursday, Oct. 17: MEA Weekend begins. Public schools are closed. 
  • Tuesday Oct. 22: Financial Workshop: Fast Lane to Debt Freedom, 6 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N. Free. Learn how to get off the debt treadmill and steer clear of debt "settlement" scams. Presented by TopLine Federal Credit Union and LSS. Register online or by calling 763-391-9494.
  • Friday Oct. 25: Halloween bonfire, 6-8 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 Hamline. Free. (They're looking for volunteers to help on 90-minute shifts: 5:30-7 or 7-8:30 p.m. If you can pitch in, contact Teresa Little by email or by phone at 651-298-5813.)
Talk It Over with Who's in Charge
The Western District's monthly community meetings are this Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at district headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. If you go, you'll meet command staff, hear about the latest crime trends in the city, be able to raise your individual concerns, and be able to grab all the crime prevention fliers you can use.  
Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 
You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.