Mpls. homicides down 50 percent from last year

The number of homicides in Minneapolis is down sharply this year, a trend showing up in large cities nationwide.

The police department hasn't released final numbers for the year, but data from earlier this week indicate the city will see a noticeable dip in robberies, homicides and assaults.

At this time last year, there were 40 homicides. This year that number dropped by more than half, to 19. In north Minneapolis, which has traditionally seen more killings than other parts of the city, homicides have dropped by nearly 75 percent over the past two years.

Police officials say a crackdown on juvenile and repeat violent offenders is largely responsible for the reductions.

But the news is not all good. There were more rapes committed in the city this year over last. However, that number is still 10 percent lower than the 2007 rape total.

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