Burnsville crime unit returns at key time

Police hope team will help fight disturbing rise in street crime, drug arrests.

By DEAN SPIROS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 13, 2009 - 4:54 PM

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Burnsville Police Chief Bob Hawkins' excitement over having the city's Street Crimes Unit reinstated after a one-year absence is tempered by the fact Burnsville's crime rate is on the rise.

The two-officer unit primarily will focus on illegal drugs and the crimes typically associated with their sale and use. Statistics through August show criminal incidents involving narcotics are up 31 percent in Burnsville from a year ago.

Hawkins believes the loss of the Street Crimes Unit contributed to that increase. Budget cuts led to the department last summer eliminating the unit, which was formed in 2005.

A $292,280 federal grant will keep the unit active through 2011.

"What concerns me is that nationally the numbers for drug-related crimes are down," Hawkins said. "Minneapolis' numbers are the lowest they have ever had, yet ours are creeping up."

Overall, crime is up 8 percent in the city, including a 23 percent increase in juvenile arrests. Hawkins believes the bad economy has played a role in the rise in crime.

"We're getting more domestic and mental health calls," he said. "That happens whenever people are feeling extra stress."

Hawkins said the two officers assigned to the Street Crimes Unit will be able to be proactive rather than simply reactive in fighting crime. They will work without having to respond to radio calls.

Undercover work, surveillance and prostitution stings will be part of their efforts, which sometimes will be in tandem with federal agencies.

Ideally, Hawkins said, the department would have a four-person Street Crimes Unit. That would allow one officer to be assigned to each of the city's four regional beats, allowing the officer to really get to know a specific part of town.

The two-member unit will be ready to turn its attention to hot spots or to focus on trends.

"We want these officers to be visible in the community," Hawkins said. "They will be meeting and talking with the hotel and motel association to respond to their concerns. They also will be involved with our multi-housing facilities."

The two officers often will be in the same squad car, Hawkins said, but there will be times when they work on separate assignments.

Two community service officers will go through a 16-week training program before being added to the force to replace the two officers selected to join the Street Crimes Unit. Officer Steve Soler, who was part of the unit before it was disbanded, will return to his former position. His partner will be picked from a group of officers who applied for the opening.

Dean Spiros • 952-882-9203