Police Ask Community For Impact Statements Against 'Chronic Swindler'

The Minneapolis Police Department is requesting impact statements from the community against a man being called a "chronic swindler and con artist."

According to a police release, 52-year-old Mark Christopher Bell has committed crimes all over Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, and is currently in custody in Hennepin County Jail for aggravated robbery, giving false information to a police officer, theft from person and theft by swindle. His bail has been set at $100,000.

Impact statements are used by police, probation officers, the city, and county attorneys and courts to show the negative impact an individual has on a community, according to the release.

Most recently, Bell is accused of assaulting and robbing a victim Aug. 2 in Kingfield on the 3600 block of Stevens Avenue. The victim suffered injuries and had to be taken to the hospital. Other 2013 incidents listed on the impact statement form include two incidents in the Cedar/Riverside neighborhood, as well as other incidents in the Lyndale and Field/Northrop neighborhoods.

Here's more from the release on Bell and how to fill out an impact statement:

Extreme violence has not played a major role in Bell’s previous crimes. That is one of the reasons that the Minneapolis Police Department is once again requesting impact statements. It is imperative that the courts be shown the negative impact that Mr. Bell has had on the neighborhood. You do not have to have been a victim of Mr. Bell to give us your input.

Generally, you can start by stating how you have been impacted: financially, emotionally, physically, and so on. You can end by describing what you are hoping the court will do: send the person to jail, order the person to get treatment, order the person to get employment, order the person to stay out of a particular area (i.e. a geographic restriction for a particular neighborhood), sentenced to service for garbage pickup, graffiti removal and so on.

Remember: it is more important to send an impact statement than to worry about how it is written. Just send it! Whatever you write will be presented and can improve the safety of your community.

Keep in mind that your statement can be written and submitted by you or any neighborhood entity, block club, neighborhood association or business. So, it is perfectly acceptable if you would like to write one on behalf of neighbors, your family, or any other group representing a portion of the neighborhood, provided they have agreed to you doing so.

The impact statement form is available online. Bell's next court appearance is Sept. 9.

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