Mpls. violent crime rate continues to fall
Minneapolis law enforcement officials say violent crime continues to drop in the city, as it has for the past five years.
For the first half of 2010, reported crimes of robbery, rape, aggravated assault and homicide are down nearly 15 percent this year compared to last year. Violent crime dropped by more than 23 percent in north Minneapolis, which in past years had lead the rest of the city in reported crimes. Reports of violent crime are at their lowest point in 11 years.
Non-violent crimes, except for larceny, are also down.
Part of the decrease is due to the cooperation between police and other city departments that can shut down problem properties and help get chronic offenders off the streets, Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan said.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"I think the biggest reason for these reductions is the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department." Dolan said. "When we look at patterns that we're dealing with — and we still have plenty of patterns out there, issues out there — they're on them quick; they're aggressive; they're doing what they need to do."
Inspector Mike Martin said as the weather heats up, so will police presence on the north side.
"Part of the problem with warm weather is it pushes people who are normally inside, outside," Martin said. "When they're outside they run into people they don't get along with. Their activity can be disturbing to the neighbors and it might escalate."
Martin says the drop in crime on the north side and across the city is due in part to more assertive police work.