MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minneapolis Police Department data shows that About 2,100 criminal incidents were reported in the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Minnesota last year – a 40% increase from nearly 1,500 the previous year.
Police say the increase will come at an unusual time. Crime tends to increase during late summer and early fall due to the arrival of new students, says John Elder, public information officer for the Minneapolis Police Department.
READ MORE: Minnesota Weather: Week-long hot and humid streak starts Monday
universities, usually in August and September, because there is a whole new group of people who may not be aware of the security measures that need to be taken. " Said the old man.
Of the surrounding campus neighborhoods, the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood experienced the highest increase in crime, with an increase of 60% last year.
Steve Sturm, husband and father of two, explained that he no longer feels safe living near the Twin Cities campus.
"It's getting too dangerous, there are a lot of shots fired all the time," Sturm said. “We actually put sandbags around the bed [my child’s] for a while in case of missed rounds.”
The Prospect Park neighborhood saw a 36% increase in reported crimes last academic year.
Dinkytown (credit: CBS)
There were double robberies last week. A month ago there were shootings that left five injured. Before that incident, a teenager died in a homicide case.
READ MORE: Fourth Stimulus Check: Will there be another aid payment?
"Walking here is so scary these days and it shouldn't be," said student Emma Simdorn.
Since the Dinkytown shootings last month, police have increased night patrols. The university plans to install additional security cameras and phone booths, as well as improve street lighting. The school will also rely on the Safety Ambassador Program in which community members help patrol the Dinkytown area.
Still, the neighbors believe that more needs to happen.
"These are criminals, so they need to be arrested, they need to go to jail," Sturm said. "The courts must change, people must remain in jail."
Sturm does not expect the crime to end unless the changes come from the city and state level.
“There is nothing the MPD can do until all that changes, until the laws go back to the way they were. Stop paying people for their demands, you need to fight against that, "he said.
While the rise in crime is at its highest in at least a decade, police say Minneapolis is not unique to it.
MORE NEWS: Infrastructure bill could include ballot measures, Sen. Amy Klobuchar says
“We have seen an increase in crime throughout the city. Since May 2020, all major metropolitan cities have experienced an increase in first-party crimes, those are violent crimes, ”Elder said.
Be First to Comment