Minneapolis violent crime rates increase in Rep. Omar’s district





MINNEAPOLIS (KUSI) – There have been a wave of violent robberies taking place in the Minneapolis area, and one of them was caught on camera in broad daylight.

We want to warn you, the video is graphic and some viewers may find it disturbing.

According to the Hennepin County, Minnesota, Attorney’s Office, one victim was jumped on, even run over with a bike in the aftermath of a robbery.

Through nearly nine months in one downtown Minneapolis precinct, there were 240 robberies.

That’s up nearly 54-percent from the same time last year.

Police say over the course of one week in August alone, 23 robberies followed a similar pattern. They finesse the victim, looking for an easy target. Someone intoxicated, alone, and looking at their phone at times.

But, these incidents, as shocking as they may be, aren’t happening in a vacuum. It’s within the context of the Police Department to say they need more officers.

Over the summer, the Police Chief said it’s hard to even keep the slots they have filled.

“Because our staffing needs have not been properly addressed over many years, it has resulted in our current MPD resourced being strained to capacity, and quite frankly we are hemorrhaging” said Chief Medaria Arradondo.

According to the police department, between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, there were 6,776 times when someone picked up the phone and called 911 for a priority one call – which includes robbery, homicide, rape – and there wasn’t an officer available to immediately respond.

The department admits recruiting is down. It’s part of why the Police Chief and Mayor are working to add 14 more officers to next year’s budget.

Chief Mederia Arradondo said, “Through trust, accountability and professional service the MPD’s daily goal is to provide for the public safety of all of our city.”

It’s something the Minneapolis City Council is currently wrestling with, not all of them receptive.

The Council President arguing they have to look at more than just policing tweeting, “MPD is only one way we support public safety.” While another councilman wrote an op-ed for the Star Tribune saying, “Now is the time for our city to insist that we expect better before we fund more,” arguing the system could be more efficient.

In comparison, the rate of robberies in San Diego has slightly fallen this year compared to last. But, San Diego’s total crimes committed increased from 31,468 in 2017 to 32,776 in 2018.

More information on San Diego crimes visit: www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/ucr1950to2018.pdf