We’ve seen our second straight year of reductions in crime. Violent crime in Minneapolis was down 13 percent citywide in 2008 when compared to 2007 and down 24 percent compared to 2006. Homicides were down 22 percent from ‘07 and down 39 percent from ‘06. Robberies decreased 18 percent, aggravated assaults are down 8 percent, and juvenile crime dropped 17 percent in 2008. The Second Precinct, which covers the Southeast Como, Prospect Park and the University neighborhoods, led the city in violent crime reduction, falling 21 percent. Violent crime fell 12 percent in the First Precinct, which includes Cedar Riverside, and 11 percent in the Third Precinct, which includes the Cooper and Seward neighborhoods.
It is worth noting that this data is only as good as our system of reporting and tracking. Just as we need to encourage our officers and dispatchers to follow up on calls and complete reports so that we have good data and can hold criminals accountable, we also need to encourage one another to call to 911 when crimes are in progress and 311 to report crimes. If you have had trouble reporting a crime, please let me know. It is also important to note that the overall reductions in crime citywide do not lessen the tragedy of any one act of violence, especially the three homicides that occurred on the West Bank this past year.