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Apr 10, 2008 6:59 pm US/Central
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City May Close Homeless Shelter For Crime Problems
(WCCO)
Her work has been praised by the President but today Mary Jo Copeland said she is about to lose her city license to feed hundreds of homeless every day.
The city said Copeland's Sharing and Caring Hands shelter has become an out of control haven for drug dealers.
Copeland said the city is trying to get rid of her ministry to make fans going to a new Twins Ballpark feel more comfortable.
The center serves 800 to 1,000 meals each day. Each morning she greets the hundreds who come for breakfast
"These are God's people," she said.
And they are Copeland's people.
A man eating breakfast who told WCCO his name is Marvin said, "They don't care if we are out there on the streets, but she (does)."
In the past year, there have been 180 police calls to the center. Detailed reports include drug dealing inside the cafeteria, even next to a security guard.
"There are some serious safety violations going on," said Jeremy Hanson, a spokesman for Mayor R.T. Rybak.
Council member Don Samuels agrees.
"This has been an ongoing problem," he said.
Copeland insists her own private security guards and cameras keep everyone in line.
"We're the safest place in this city," she said.
Copeland is convinced the crackdown is because of the new Twins stadium going up a block away.
"They don't want the poor in sight," she said.
The city said there is no link and that the situation is getting too dangerous.
Bob Salmen who owns the two business across the street goes further.
"Mary Jo, in this neighborhood, is known as the crack queen of Minneapolis because there are drugs constantly here," Salmen said.
Copeland has been ordered to appear before the city council's regulatory committee on April 25, that's when council members will debate whether to yank her license.
The license for Mary's Place, a homeless shelter for families, is not affected.
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