Violent crime across the city of Minneapolis has dropped significantly over the last year. The trend over the past year is a continuation of declining violent crime rates that began two decades ago. In addition, the most popular crime on the University of Minnesota’s campus, theft, is also on the decline. Despite the reduction in crime levels, experts are not entirely sure what is causing the reduction in crime.
Violent crime in Minneapolis has dropped substantially over the past year. Since last year, violent crime has declined nearly 15 percent according to the Minneapolis Police Department. Crimes considered to be violent crime are homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Violent crime across the city of Minneapolis has dropped consistently over the last five years, and the city saw the lowest amount of violent crime in 27 years in 2010. Minneapolis police believe the lower numbers of violent crime are explained by proactive police work and partnerships with neighborhood watches.
Crime on the University of Minnesota campus in the Twin Cities has also declined. Crime has dropped by six percent at the University. The campus’s most popular crime, theft, has dropped as well. Since 1995, theft has dropped consistently on the campus. In 1995 the number of recorded theft occurrences on campus was 1,263 and in 2010 the number of recorded theft occurrences dropped to 568.
The declining rates of crime at the University and in Minneapolis mirror declining national crime rates. Though crime normally rises during tough economic times, current criminal activity remains on the decline. Experts are not entirely sure what explains the continuing decrease of crime; especially during the jobless recovery.
An assistant sociology professor at the University of Minnesota believes the conflux of changing police practices, economics and demographics has contributed to the lower numbers. A Minneapolis police Sergeant believes the improved relationship between police and communities has helped bring about lower crime.
Source: mndaily.com, “Mpls violent crime down 15 percent,” Kaitlin Walker, 7/27/11