Minneapolis violent crime down 25 percent since 2007

Photo by VeryBadLady

The Minneapolis Police Department released new crime statistics today showing a significant drop in violent crime.

Since the beginning of 2009, there have been three homicides in the city. In 2008, there were 11 in that same time period and 18 in 2007.

Unless something crazy happens in the last two-thirds of the year, we can safely say we have no chance of becoming Murderapolis anytime soon. Minneapolis received the title back in 1995 when there were 97 murders in the city.

All violent crime dropped 25 percent since 2007 and 18 percent just in the last year. Rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults are all down in addition to homicides.

Property crimes also dropped: all crimes are down 11 percent compared to last year to date and 23 percent since 2007.

Bad news: The city saw a 10 percent increase in arson and a 1.7 percent increase in burglary.

Who gets credit? Let's check in with Mayor R.T. Rybak:

Rybak attributed the continuing decline in violent crime to closer working relationships between the police department and neighborhood-level community organizations. "To keep it down, we have to have deeper connections between the police and the people they serve," he said.