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I received the following email:

“Hello dear Bloomington friends,

I know (if you’re like me) we’re all weary of reading and sending yet another email, another phone call, or petition, etc. However, since we’ve witnessed this past year the tragic homeless crisis across Minneapolis, please continue to read.

I just hung up with our beautiful Police Chief Officer Potts—he was VERY gracious and kind to my lengthy questions!

Since March, in the name of “Covid-19” numerous hotels in East Bloomington (and some West) (all along American Boulevard and some other areas) have been contracted as “Temporary” housing for the homeless population (many addicted to drugs and also untreated severe mental illnesses).

The large blocks of rooms in the various motels were contracted and paid for by various Churches and Hennepin County.

The City of Bloomington receives NO funds for this endeavor

IF these groups continue to contract the motels for “Permanent” housing, Bloomington City Council MUST have a PUBLIC HEARING to eventually have City Council VOTE to REZONE those areas, and then make sure appropriate infrastructure is in place to house such a large group of people with such severe needs (addiction, mental illness, etc.).

Bloomington Police Department has experienced that since March/April, 30-40% of ALL Bloomington Police calls have been related to those motels where they are contracted for temporary housing

Businesses and residents all along those areas are burdened and have been calling the police, and are strongly encouraged to attend that City Council Meetings.

LAST but not least—Police Chief Potts told me directly that there have been various “protests” in city every weekend since the end of May, with related damage, mostly in groups of 3-10 people.

July 25, Saturday there will be a Back the Blue Rally, a peaceful group that supports Law Enforcement, planned to march from 98th/Nicollet area to City Hall.

There will be “other opposition groups” that plan to counter-protest, and the Bloomington PD is preparing to keep the rally safe. Please pray.

Julie Leon, our steadfast Nativity and Bonaventure friend and parishioner, has written a very thoughtful letter to the City of Bloomington (below).

The Longo family will follow her lead and send something too, and we will be attending the next in-person City Council meeting on July 27.”

Here is what stood out to me. “The large blocks of rooms in the various motels were contracted and paid for by various Churches and Hennepin County.”

With donations rock bottom, what church has the money to be buying out blocks of rooms in motels for “homeless” people? Is this housing for the BLM, Antifa?