Minneapolis Safer in 2007

More officers, smarter policing and better technology have helped Minneapolis make progress in decreasing crime rates in 2007. Through Dec. 17, 2007, violent crime was down 13 percent citywide compared to 2006. The number of homicides was down 21 percent from last year. The number of robberies decreased 28 percent this year, aggravated assaults were down 10 percent, and overall juvenile crime dropped 15 percent in 2007. Violent crime is down in every Minneapolis police precinct, falling 16 percent in north Minneapolis alone.

More police on the streets

The Minneapolis Police force has 851 officers, and includes 30 cadets, 21 community service officers and 18 recruits who were added in 2007. The 2007 additions include 24 are people of color, and 19 women. Another 35 officers are ready to hit the streets in early 2008. MPD now consists of 18 percent people of color, which is the highest number in its history.

Better technology

Minneapolis continued to be a national leader in investing in public safety technology in 2007.

• There are now more than 130 public safety cameras in strategic areas of Minneapolis - in north Minneapolis along Broadway, Lowry, Lyndale, and Penn Avenue area, Downtown, Cedar-Riverside, and in south Minneapolis.
• Minneapolis is the first city in the U.S. to integrate its ShotSpotter gunfire detection system with public safety cameras using the city's new wireless network.
• Police, fire, and other emergency responders began using a new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, including an Automatic Vehicle Location system, which provides emergency responders with more and better information than ever before.
• Community Impact Statements are now available on-line for the first time allowing the public to submit statements to the courts and have an effect on sentencing.

Smarter policing

New policing strategies introduced in 2007 are helping police better connect to communities, combat juvenile crime, and have other positive effects on public safety.

• Minneapolis established a 32-member committee to develop long-range strategies for preventing youth violence. This committee is set to recommend strategies to be implemented that will get at the root causes of youth crime.
• Minneapolis Police and the Hennepin County courts worked to reduce domestic violence by setting up a program that makes it easy for people who have been convicted of domestic violence to turn in their firearms as required by law at all Minneapolis police precincts.
• Minneapolis approved new restrictions on facsimile firearms, the so-called "fake guns" that have been used in real crimes in the city.
• The MPD formed partnerships with other City departments in innovative crime reduction initiatives such as Bar Watch and Liquor in the City (LINC). Police and City staff educate bar owners, managers and staff on the best ways to keep bar patrons safe.
• The MPD opened a new Special Operations Center in a former north Minneapolis elementary school, giving a new home to Police Academy, Police Activities League, Traffic Unit, Bomb Squad, Arson Unit, and the K-9 Unit.
• Minneapolis approved a new aggressive solicitation ordinance designed to combat aggressive panhandling. The First Precinct worked with homeless shelters and care providers to create an Outreach Team of resource experts for the homeless.
• Minneapolis now has a Neighborhood Policing Plan for each of its 83 neighborhoods. The plans, which will be updated annually, address crime concerns specific to the area and measure crime reduction effectiveness.
• 835 guns were taken off the streets this year.