Minneapolis’ commitment to public safety is paying off. For a second year in a row crime rates in Minneapolis have continued to fall. Halfway through 2008, the city’s crime numbers are significantly lower than 2007 and represent an even more dramatic decline when compared to 2006. Minneapolis Mayor, R. T. Rybak and Police Chief Tim Dolan credit these substantial crime reduction results to proactive crime-fighting strategies and tools. Minneapolis’ innovative approach to juvenile crime fighting, new technology, strategic operations, traffic enforcement community partnerships and increased number of sworn officers are some of the reasons why the city is seeing significant drop in crime.
Through June 2008, citywide violent crime fell 14 percent compared to 2007. This decrease is on top of the 13 percent reduction in violent crime that occurred in 2007 from 2006, representing a 27 percent decline in two years. There were 18 murders recorded January through June 2008, a 31 percent drop from 26 homicides at this point in 2007, and a 44 percent change from 32 homicides in 2006.
Other types of violent crime—rape, robbery and aggravated assaults—have on average seen a 13 percent drop from this time last year. Property crimes such as burglary and auto theft remain nearly 16 percent lower than in 2007.
Crime rates have fallen most dramatically in the 4th precinct of north Minneapolis, where violent crime fell 17 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, and 37 percent compared to 2006.
“Upstream” strategies to prevent youth violence have been an important priority for the MPD, as well and the entire city government. The MPD Juvenile Unit has handled more than 2,000 cases concerning missing and runaway youth, robbery and assault so far this year meaning a significant number of youth are getting connected to supportive services at the first sign of risky behavior. Minneapolis’ Blueprint to Prevent Youth Violence is becoming a national model for addressing root causes of violence by drawing on public health strategies of prevention and early intervention. The Juvenile Unit also coordinates the Juvenile Criminal Apprehension Team made up of MPD, Hennepin County Probation, the Sherriff’s office and US Marshals to address more serious youth offenders.
Minneapolis continues to be a national leader in the use of public safety technology. There are now more than 135 public safety cameras in strategic areas across Minneapolis, many of which are also connected to gun shot sensors. North Minneapolis, the most recent addition to the City’s public safety camera network, has seen significant crime reduction along Broadway, Lowry, Lyndale, and Penn Avenues.
The Special Operations Division (SOD) has contributed greatly to the effectiveness of MPD’s proactive policing. SOD helps to target additional assistance in situations where more police support is needed. In the past six months SOD Patrol Officers have initiated or answered more than 5,300 calls for service and have made nearly 2,200 arrests – an increase of 275 percent over 2007.
Increased traffic enforcement helps combat crime and has a positive effect on overall public safety. So far this year, the Traffic Unit made more than 17,300 enforcement stops and issued citations for more than 18,000 moving violations.
Local Precincts have focused on working closely with neighborhood groups to address their specific crime reduction and prevention concerns. Each Minneapolis neighborhood has developed its own Policing Plan which is evaluated and updated annually.
Finally, the MPD has added 32 more officers to its ranks this year, bringing the total number of sworn officers to 879, the highest number since 2000. For more information about crime statistics and police initiatives visit the Minneapolis Police Department online at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police.
July 21, 2008