Violent crime in Minneapolis going down

Minneapolis law enforcement officials say efforts to crack down on juvenile crime and violent offenders have resulted in a 14 percent dip in violent crime, compared to this time last year.

The city saw similar decreases from mid-year 2006 to mid-year 2007.

Mayor R.T. Rybak said some of the largest decreases have occurred in north Minneapolis, which has traditionally seen some of the highest crime rates in the city.

"Especially in north Minneapolis, where violent crime is down more than 30 percent over the last couple of years. Juvenile violence, which has also been an issue that has been significant in this community, continues to go down," said Rybak. "It's the result of a tremendous focus on juvenile violence prevention, including our curfew/truancy center, which had 1,500 visits from juveniles over this past year."

Police Chief Tim Dolan says the efforts are more effective because there are more officers on the job than in past years.

"We got a lot of new, young officers on the street, very eager, very willing to do the job," said Dolan. "Not that the old-timers weren't and aren't, but it gives us a new look on the street and the results we're seeing is very, very positive."

Dolan says the department has added 32 more officers this year, bringing the total number of sworn officers to its highest level in eight years.

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