Electronic billboards and tougher prosecution are two ways Minneapolis is getting tough on people who try to solicit prostitutes in the city. Clear Channel Communications is donating space on electronic billboards in the city to send a clear message to would-be Johns. The billboards feature a blurred mugshot and a reminder that Minneapolis posts photos of people arrested for soliciting prostitutes on its Web site. The billboards also include a new Web address where the public can view those mug shots, www.johnspics.org.
A Celebration of Life honoring “Q-the Blacksmith”, Quincy De’Shawn Smith, Sr., and celebrating his birthday and exceptional life is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 12 noon to 6 p.m., at the Seed Academy & Harvest Preparatory School located at 1300 Olson Memorial Highway in North Minneapolis. Smith died tragically on December 9, 2008. He would have been 25 on his birthday April 2nd.