Minneapolis police have been trying to get innovative in tackling the stubborn crime problem downtown.
New fencing along the light rail line was installed to discourage thieves from preying on people waiting for the train at the Warehouse District platform. There are new streetlamps and security cameras. And workers removed electrical sockets along Nicollet Mall that had become busy phone-charging stations that drew unruly behavior.
The changes have paid off so far in 2018, probably aided by the cold weather and intense extra Super Bowl security.
In the first 2½ months of 2018, violent crime has decreased by a third compared to the same period in 2017, with 98 reported incidents this year. The most dramatic decrease was for robberies, which tumbled from 71 to 26, according to newly released department statistics. Serious assaults, such as shootings and stabbings, crept up slightly, from 49 to 55. Property crimes — defined as burglary, larceny, arson and car theft — declined about 14 percent, from 708 incidents last year to 606.
First Precinct Inspector Eddie Frizell has encouraged his officers to get creative about tackling the downtown crime problem, but he conceded that some of the decline was likely attributable to the massive security in town around the Super Bowl.
Speaking at a Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce event Friday morning, Chief Medaria Arradondo said that since taking over the department, his focus has been on building partnerships between law enforcement and the communities where they work. Downtown is no exception.
"I think you're going to see a difference this summer," he told a room of about 60 people.
As an example, he said that a detective would soon be assigned to work with outreach agencies like St. Stephen's Human Services "to make sure that we do all that we can" for homeless youth downtown.