Tag Archives: crime

Sept. 8 Meeting, Part 2: STATE OF THE PRECINCT

Posted on September 25, 2025 | Leave a comment

STATE OF THE PRECINCT

NIBRS 28 Crime  Report.

Crime                          2025        2024      3 Yr Ave.                
Assault                            83            77         80
     Incl. Domestic Ag        8               8           8
B&E                                25             26         27
Vandalism                     122             87        78
Homicide non neg.           0             0            1
Homicide negligent          0             0
Larceny                        184         171         192
Robbery                           8           12            11
       Incl.car jacking          1             3             3
Sex offenses                    0             1             1
Weapons law violations.  2             1             5
Shots fired                      29          22            27
Gun wound victims           4            2             2

Inspector Torborg:  Assaults are up for the last 28 days but they’re still down compared to last year — year to date they’re down about 50. 

The destruction and vandalism is primarily kids going around breaking windows out of cars and stealing from the cars.  That’s  slowed down a little bit.   We’ve made progress and identified some suspects, but it’s painstakingly  slow.   Over the past weekend, we did not have anything of the scale we’ve had in the past so we’re getting there.

If you look at a crime map of damage to autos year to date, there are hundreds of them in some neighborhoods.  The boldness, of course, is frustrating; equally frustrating is that when we find them, they’re not held accountable.  

QQ: You said you have some suspects.  Have any arrests been made?

Torborg:  City-wide incidents, about five different suspects.  They get arrested and charged.  Some just get charged by a complaint.  Then it’s up to the Juvenile Court system to deal with them or not.

We’ve had some success with some of the damage to autos.  We called crime scene people out to process the cars if we thought there was any chance of getting fingerprints.  Sure enough, they were able to lift some prints off the vehicles that were damaged and identify some suspects!  

That’s helpful because if we get a group of kids going out on the street damaging cars, how do we prove that the suspect we grabbed actually was taking part in damaging the cars?   Well, when their fingerprints are found inside the car that’s pretty good.

Today we had a known auto thief crash a stolen car by a park.  Thanks to good witnesses we were able to track him and take him into custody.  It turns out he’s a prolific car thief, especially in the 5th Pct. Now he’s  in, and he’s not a juvenile anymore so he got sent to the adult jail for at least 36 hours. 

QQ: Are minors that end up in the juvenile court system detained?

Torborg:  They get assigned to their parents.  I heard a public information story at a meeting last week. In either the 3rd or the 5th Pct, two kids were arrested in stolen cars.  The kids know the officers and talked to them. They said they love stealing cars.   It’s what they did for fun and they would keep doing it.   In this case they’re openly admitting they were going to continue stealing cars.   Both were released an hour later.  

The next day, the same kids were arrested, same story, went to JDC and released an hour later.  The next night they got a stolen car again, but one wasn’t going with the program at JDC so he actually stayed for a while.  The other was released an hour later.  

I don’t think there’s been media coverage.   Some people claim they don’t have enough secure beds to hold the violent juvenile offenders, and others claim that stealing cars isn’t a crime of violence.      I (Torborg) would argue otherwise because the cars are used as a tool for other crimes of violence.  [discussion of who pays for the repairs?  Owner’s deductible, or insurance coverage or the parents of the minor?]

QQ: Porch pirates seem to be popping up again. Do they fall into the larceny category?  My other question: MPD  calls for service overall down.  The concern some of us have is that people are not calling in when crime is too bad.  

Torborg: You mean you’re wondering if in some parts of the city, they’ve been victims of damaged properties so often that they don’t even bother to report it anymore?   [EQ: the directive is “Call It In, Every Time]

My property crimes lieutenant  didn’t give me the numbers but we had a rash of catalytic converter thefts deaths again.  The 2nd PCT didn’t get hit that hard at first, but now there’s been a bunch in the 2nd, so we need to keep watch. Battery operated power tools have gotten so good, somebody can climb under a car and cut off a catalytic converter in a  matter of  minutes.   Once in a while we’ll get a good video of one and  they just slide underneath.  Sometimes they’ll  park a car next to the car they’re working on and they’re in and out in a minute.   

[Brief discussion of rebuilding 2-PAC Board.]



Emilie Quast, Member
2nd Precinct Advisory Council
1911 Central Ave NE
Mpls, MN 55418 

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Jan. 13, ’25 Meeting: Dec. Buffet recap; Livability issues in the 2nd Pct.

Posted on January 26, 2025 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order at 6:37 with 6 in person and 6 on ZOOM

2024 10-Hour Buffet for First Responders. 

We’re Back! Our in-person and carry out numbers are back to pre pandemic numbers.  We served over 130 people from all 5 precincts, 10 fire department stations, UofM PD,  MPRB Police, Henn. Cty. EMS, the BCR, and the 988 Teams. We also delivered 166 meals to 911 operators and Metro Transit West Station staff who can’t drive in.  

In addition, the Moose delivered 110 meals to HC Jail staff, who are also “shut-ins”.

I’m also  happy to write that the volunteers who host this buffet can handle whatever happens.  We’re all growing and we’re all learning how to handle the next crisis.

Livability Issues: Homeless people in Dinkytown. It’s a forever problem. One of them is known by name to most of the officers in 2nd Precinct, the U of M officers, and many merchants in Dinkytown. 2-PAC has been hearing about him for 15+ years.  

He or his friends have amped up confrontations lately. However:

Two days ago, I found a statement by W.3 CM Rainville in the City of Minneapolis Daily Digest Bulletin.  CM Rainville represents part of the 2nd Precinct.   He wrote:

“I have authored a legislative directive to conduct a landscape analysis of state and municipal actions to expand access, incentivize and/or introduce court-ordered mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

“This will give the city council more information on what the city can do to help solve the substance abuse and mental health crisis, which is resulting in the many homeless encampments in Minneapolis.  It will also assess the degree to which quality treatment is currently available, particularly for individuals experiencing homelessness.”

People have suggested  that some repeat offenders do not want treatment.  We can’t brainwash them, and we don’t currently have the facilities to lock them up, even for their own safety; those places have been closed.  So, we have to find something, somewhere else.  I’m hoping that some of the recently created social service agencies can come up with a plan. 

Know that Precinct Advisory Council  goals are to I.D. community issues and help find solutions.

STATE OF THE PRECINCT:

MPD 2nd Precinct 28-day report  

NIBRS* Crime Metrics-28 days20252024 3 yr.avg.
Assault offenses648076
      Incl. Domestic.Ag.Asslt.81712
Burglary, B&E221417
Vandalism639757
Homicide, non-neg.02
Homicide, negligent00
Larceny theft131163157
MV Theft488375
Robbery8914
    Incl. car-jacking123
Sex Offenses575
Stolen Prop. Offenses012
Weapons law violations255
Shots fired calls232119
Gun wound victims032

   *National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) – FBI

Inspector Torborg:  Most of our crime is trending down compared to last year.

At one point last summer, we were regularly having over 20 auto thefts a week. Recently, that’s been down to 9 to 11, which is encouraging. 

Robberies:  Two weeks ago we had 0 robberies and we talked about it.  Then we had two. One was a Facebook robbery: in Facebook, the victim met someone who wanted to buy his computer. When they met in front of an apt. building, the suspect grabbed the computer and ran into the building. That’s a  preventable robbery, but we still have to own it.

Livability Issues: The biggest problem in the 2nd Pct. is constant livability issues in SE Mpls. created by just a few people who use a lot of time from many agencies.  The U of M PD is working on this issue with us.  One of the frequent offenders is now, finally, geo-restricted from U of M property, but he isn’t geo-restricted from Dinkytown itself. He’s been trespassed from many businesses in Dinkytown too.

When he’s picked up, he’s taken to Hennepin County Jail, probably gets a meal, and is released about 4 or 5 hours later, without any kind of treatment.

The long-term goal is for him and the others to get in front of a judge who will commit them to a facility instead of releasing them back to the streets. Some are getting more aggressive, and people are getting more angry with them — not a good recipe for the future.

Problem Properties: The other growing issue we have is tenants in a few  apartment buildings are generating a lot of 911 calls.  We don’t have the tools we used to have.   Back then,  we’d contact Licensing and Inspections, they’d write citations for too many 911 calls, and conduct on premise.  Those tools have gone away.  All we have left is Fire Inspections.

Here’s an example: I grew up about three blocks away from a nice NE three story apartment building. In the last few months, today’s tenants have triggered dozens of 911 calls.

On New Year’s Eve, we were called for a stabbing. We had to arrest three people: one was fighting with us and kicked a couple officers,  another one was just being belligerent.  I was hoping we could get somebody in to write some violations, but the only response we got was a Fire Inspector.

Nothing is done about the litter, the holes punched in almost every door.  The fire suppression system was in place, the smoke alarms were good. There weren’t any fire code violations, but the place is in bad shape. 

QQ Where is this building?

Torborg: 759 Washington Street NE.  It’s on the northeast corner of Washington and Broadway, a three-story apartment building. 

There are several apartment buildings that are problems, especially the newer ones.  2301  California is a huge apartment complex.They  opened last summer, and we started getting an inordinate number of 911 calls. So, we’ll do what we can and hopefully we’ll get a few more officers here in this coming year. The more officers we have, the more effective we’ll be.

QQ:  I don’t understand how this is happening even if it’s “only” fire inspections. 

Torborg: Early in my career, I was placed on an unpopular shift in North Minneapolis. Part of my duties were to go around with a Housing Inspector and visit various properties.  If the properties were in disrepair, if there was bad conduct on the premise and stuff, the Housing Inspector would issue citations. That doesn’t happen anymore. 

The Housing Inspector would point out to the landlords that they’re expected to rent to people who are decent tenants.  He would point out if they were renting to people who had a record of livability violations.  Those housing inspections are gone, now. So now as  long as the owners of the properties maintain the fire codes, we don’t have leverage for them to keep their places clean, to keep  decent tenants in their apartment buildings. 

Also, when they do try to evict problem tenants but the tenants refuse to leave, the owner must file an unlawful detainer.  The whole process  takes months. 

QQ:  Landlords used to get inspections based on the number of violations.   Is that system gone too?

Answer:  It’s still on for all rental.  [EQ: Google “Minneapolis  rental license tiering”]

QQ: How is Police recruitment looking?

Torborg:  We just welcomed 32 cadets and CSOs. That’s the most people in the pipeline in five or six years. As of this morning, we had 530 officers.  Last summer, we had 499 at one point.

Quast: One thing: I’d like you to clarify.  What is a CSO and what is a cadet? 

Torborg:   A CSO [Community Service Officer] is somebody on the pathway to become a police officer.  All you need is a high school diploma, and we’ll hire you. Then you work part time as a CSO doing things like driving squad cars to the shop, getting supplies for the stations.  They do  non law enforcement (housekeeping) work when they’re on the clock for us.  At the same time, they’re taking law enforcement classes. The MPD pays for classes that lead to an Associate’s Degree in  Law Enforcement.   Once they get their Associates Degree, they can enter our Police Academy. 

MPD Cadet program was started to get a more diverse group of people applying for the job.  They hire anybody with a two year degree in law enforcement OR a four year degree in any field. The candidates get all the law enforcement classes they need before they go into the Police Academy.  About 9 months later, they can be sworn in.  

To simplify it, Cadets already have their classroom education; they only need to go through  “rookie school” to get them up to speed.  CSOs haven’t had classroom training, so the MPD is helping them along the way — two years or four years. 

QQ:  How long does the Police Academy last? What courses are involved in that? 

Torborg: Whether it’s a CSO or somebody else, it’s a 4 month academy they need to graduate from rookie school. Since a typical Cadet doesn’t have any law enforcement classroom training, it’s longer. You have to complete those classes, pass the POST test  [EQ: Police Officer Standards & Training], and then go through Police Academy.  That’s about a nine month process or a little longer. You do get paid at least, so it’s actually a good deal. We’ve hired a lot of cops that way. 

After the Academy, you ride with a Field Training Officer for five months.  You’re evaluated every day at the end of the shift in  28 different categories. Then, when you’re done with that five months, you have 10 days where you ride with a Field Training Officer, but he is supposed to just be a ride-along.  He doesn’t do anything other than observe you and step in if somebody’s safety is in danger. After you complete the 5 months of field training and the 10 day  evaluation, you’re finally able to work in a squad by yourself.

FTO is an important part of our training.  A lot of police work can’t be taught in a classroom.   A good FTO  fine-tunes you into being a good cop.They are offering wisdom and steering you in the right direction.

Quast:  Thank you.  Over the next several months, I’ll be asking more people to talk to us about better management of livability issues in Minneapolis.   If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact me directly.    And with that, I wish you all a good evening.

Emilie Quast, Member

MPD 2-PAC

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Nov. report: What crimes are reported? What about livability crime? First plans for 12/24/24

Posted on November 18, 2024 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order on 11/11/24 at 6:38 pm, with 8 attending in person.   On Veterans’ Day, government employees are on leave and not attending. 

Introductions: 

Stephanie Zakhia announced that this is her last meeting as a technical assistant.  She introduced her replacement, Rhana Elhassan, so WELCOME Rhana! 

Marie Meyer lives in Marshall Terrace.  She feels safe in her neighborhood, and likes coming to the meetings to be sure she’s informed.

Carol White lives in Monroe Village and also likes to stay informed.

Cheri Martin is the Community Administrator of Monroe Village.   She feels safer with the Precinct right across the street and having a relationship with the officers.  “I’m so pleased that we could bring 2-PAC back in person, back to our building.”

Gayle Bonneville lives in Waite Park.   She’s always interested in what’s going on with the police and trying to separate fact from fiction. 

Rhana Elhassan is a student at the U of MN and lives in Marcy Holmes.  She graduates next year.  She represents the Office of Off-Campus Living at the U.

Jeff Meehan is from Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association. He’s been involved with 2-PAC for about 8 years and involved with his neighborhood organization going on 16 years.

STATE OF THE PRECINCT:   

NIBRS Crime Metrics-28 days20242023Prev.3 yrs
Assault offenses897577
      Incl. Domestic.Ag.Asslt.1259
Burglary, B&E232527
Vandalism1008973
Homicide, non-neg.010
Homicide, negligent00
Larceny theft21318588
MV Theft8011688
Robbery171822
    Incl. car-jacking115
Sex Offenses1157
Stolen Prop. Offences044
Weapons law violations41010
Shots fired calls342028
Gun wound victims711

Second Precinct crime was definitely up this month.  Check the stats:  assault, vandalism, larceny theft, and shots fired.

Emilie pointed out that while our numbers are up, the 2nd Precinct actually has the lowest crime numbers of the 5 precincts in Minneapolis.  She contrasted 2nd Pct statistics with the numbers reported by the 3rd Precinct which reports numbers in the middle of the five.  

Our crime stats are not what we want to see, but compared with all the rest of the city, we’re in pretty good shape. 

An attender asked if those numbers are really reporting all the incidents.   For example, does it include U of M crimes on campus?

There are a couple of things to unpack here.    

  • The report only collects felony crime, punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, or by a death penalty.   
  • Misdemeanor crimes may result in a fine, probation, community service. Trespassing (such as when protesters won’t leave a public place) is a misdemeanor, and so is speeding or loitering.  The definitions here may vary by state.
  • The list of felony crimes is mandated by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.  The list is called  National Incident-Based Reporting System.

   You can read the report here:   https://bjs.ojp.gov/national-incident-based-reporting-system-nibrs

While Dinkytown has been headline news for way too long, the area is now covered by MPD, UMPD, the Transit Police.  Officers from the MPRB also are working there as needed.  Be aware that this double coverage is not just Dinkytown.   That coverage is for all of East Marcy Holmes from St. Paul to the Freeway, and from the river to the train tracks north of UMN campus.  This includes Stadium Village, and the U of M and Augsburg campuses. 

There are also non-police groups watching over us, like Metro Transit Homeless Action Team (HAT), Madd Dads, Somali Youth League,  and several Crisis Response teams.   That puts a lot of uniformed people on our streets, even if some of the uniforms are t-shirts. 

When you check  the MPD Crime map, you’ll see that crimes committed on University campus and nearby are reported.  Also be aware that the crimes found on the NBIRS are on the felony level, not misdemeanor.   A sit-down protester is likely to be charged with 5th degree misdemeanor trespassing.   Those stats don’t go on this chart because they are not collected on the national level.   FFI: on how to research the data, check Rashid’s presentation here:   https://youtu.be/bk81Ll1Lbmk   Give yourself time to learn how to use this resource.

QQ:  I’ve been asking about non-part one crimes for a long time. Those are the crimes that make people move away.  They are livability issues. We need ideas on how to handle them. 

Quast:   The 2nd Precinct includes 17 neighborhoods.   Only SE Como, NIEB, Waite Park, Windom Park, and the University area are represented at this meeting tonight.   How do we get the others to join us?   They all have insight on livability crimes in their area. I wonder if OCL and Kendra would have insight on how to make that happen. 

Comment:  Emilie is emailing all of them every month.  What do they do with those emails?  I don’t know;  they do not respond.  How about if we actually go into these other meetings that they have and just introduce ourselves?

Comment: I communicated with Emilie probably 10 days ago regarding social media and  our neighborhood organization.  Our neighborhood organization [NIEBNA] added Instagram and Facebook. The reality is, since our neighborhood organization has gone with social media,  we’re getting a lot more [attenders].  The point is, I think more people are paying attention to social media than to emails.

Comment:  Another thing when you had sent in your email, you  wanted to discuss more about how to get more people here, how to get the word out.  Northeast does have a paper newspaper still, and they will do your  event announcements for free in that whole big section.  So I’m thinking we should get an announcement every month in there. 

Quast: It would be nice if you would approach him, because Margo, Vince and I have colluded about a few things over the years.  It would be nice to get somebody else into the mix. 

Comment: Sure, I can do that.

Quast:  The reason that neighborhood communication is important, is MPD staffing.   We’ve all been talking about cop staffing at 55% of what it should be, and the city council has passed enough budget money so that we can hire more but they’re not on the force yet.  That makes neighborhood communication so important!

We had a lovely woman come in several years ago to report high speed car racing up and down the residential streets near her home.  The area is close to 37th Avenue, meaning the racers could make a quick exit if they were spotted. 

We can’t pull a squad away from a critical response (person in danger or crime in progress) just to see if they could catch a speeder.  But if someone in the next neighborhood had said, yeah, they’re coming past us too, and then a third person down the street chimes in, (maybe noting when the racers start up on what days or jotting down a license plate number) then the cops have something to act on.  Now it’s a whole lot more than one report, and it’s actionable.   That fuller picture is what builds safety.

Comment:  This was probably 15 years ago now, but there was a house in my neighborhood where the people  who bought the house were actually selling drugs.   My neighbors would literally go out and take down license plate numbers as people came and went.  Then one day, the officers came in the front, they came in the back, the cars with big lights, and they took them away, We never saw them again.  

Quast: Presumably those plate numbers got reported to the police, who looked them up and got a much bigger picture, so they had info they could act on. That’s the picture of neighborhood safety, right there.

FINALLY:  DECEMBER PLANS!

On December 24th, this year, we will be having the 41st 10-hour buffet for all First Responders on duty that day. I will be checking with Larry Ranallo, to see if we can have it at the Moose again.  I’m sure he’ll say yes. (Because otherwise, we’re dead in the water.)  That’s at the Moose on Monroe in the event room downstairs.

 [Jeff passed a list of previous contributors]  These are the ones that have contributed in the past. If you have a favorite restaurant that’s not on the list, I would appreciate you naming them and telling us why.   We’ll ask them.

I’m looking mostly for places that offer main dishes and appetizers.  My reason is that many people bring local Fire Stations, Precincts, and similar holiday sweets. They have plenty of that.   Two years ago, we absolutely ran out of entrees. A dozen hungry firefighters walked in about 9:45 pm.  Larry Ranallo, our host, stepped up and told his cooks to prepare 12 pizzas and just send them out.  The spirit of the season: Give freely to people in need. 

QQ:  Are these times set in stone? 

Quast:  Yes.  The reason for that long spread is that that way we get to feed all three shifts. Most shifts overlap. The last time I looked, the 10-hour shifts were:  

  • Day Watch – 5:45 AM – 3:45 PM
  • Midwatch – 3:30 PM – 1: 30 AM
  • Dog Watch – 8 PM – 6 AM  

With our event the Moose, we get to use professional coolers.  Larry’s trained, professional staff manages the food:  store safely, heat properly, and get it out there fresh. That is a big, big help.

QQ I was just a newbie last year, so it was all new to me. But it seemed like, at least the time I was there, maybe two and a half, three hours, it was pretty slow. 

Quast: The middle of the afternoon is very slow which is why I ask new volunteers to do their first shift at that time. That is when we do a lot of packing up and delivering to folks who can’t come in.    I have a list of “shut-ins” like the Transit Police, 911 staff, and more.   

By the way, we also need teams of two to make deliveries.  Many of those are scheduled for mid-afternoon.  If a station just doesn’t have enough staff, the people behind the service desk can’t leave either.   Then we send boxes out with their precinct mates.  I have two cartons of restaurant clamshells. 

QQ: How does the word get out to the troops, so to speak.

Quast:  It’s broadcast by the MPD from HQ.   One of the MFD Lieutenants broadcasts to the MFD.  Jeff and I also visit fire stations.   EMTs often travel right out with the fire department.

Jeff Meehan’s Report of Donation Progress:   Silver Fern is going to resubmit their six loaves of homemade pumpkin bread. Surdyks will send the cheese trays again, as they always do. Lunds —  we talked about their crustless chicken pot pies, which is  good comfort food.  We have a new manager at Max Industrial Sports Bar. I’ve asked them for some containers of pandemic marinara. The manager of All Saints called me today; my favorite dish there is  Peppardelle — very good. 

I saved the best for last. Our number one most popular thing, Ginger Hop Wings, went away on us [during Covid].  I met with the manager of the Stray Dog and he said, “Yeah, we can give you up to 25 pounds of wings”. That might be too much. [EQ: doubtful)

I’m about a month early on purpose. I just wanted to get some things done. Plus, I wanted to get some new people with some new business because, as she said, we ran short last year and that’s not a good thing. 

Comment:  If we have suggestions for other restaurants, just let you know then? Emilie, there are some amazing restaurants that are within like three blocks of here that aren’t on this list. So I’m curious to see if we’ve approached them before or if not, can we approach them now?

Quast: I would love to see more people doing recruiting. Please follow Jeff’s procedure:  He picks a dish he likes and lets me know what it is and why he likes it.    I check the list to see if we have too much in that category. Then:  Go Ahead!

OK, three years ago, all I could see was that we had food left over, people couldn’t leave their stations  or they were sending somebody in.  I was wrapping up, sending out,  and then we started to run short, so the servings got a bit  smaller. It was the first time that this had really happened.  I didn’t want to have food left over, because I didn’t know what to do with it.

This year I’m going to find a place that will want it.

Important:  We only accept donations from people in the 2nd precinct.  Any First Responder ON DUTY who walks in the door gets fed. 

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911/311 updates: the New Response Protocols, and, State of the Precinct

Posted on July 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

The meeting was called to order at  6:33 PM, 18 attenders: 14 in person and 4 by Zoom.

911/311 updates:  Report on the new Minneapolis 911/311 response protocols.  Joining us were Joni Hodne, Minneapolis Emergency Communications Director, and Deanna Douglas, Operations/Community Engagement Manager.   Leticia Cardenas, Assistant Director, presented:  

 Leticia Cardenas 

OVERVIEW:  The Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (MECC) handles 911 Answer and Dispatch for the City of Minneapolis. 

MECC is the busiest emergency dispatch center in MN.   The Second Precinct, however, is also served by four other emergency centers: the U of MN PD, MPRB-PD, Metro Transit Police, the State Patrol, and Hennepin County EMS. 

They’re BUSY!     In 2023, the MECC answered 630,779 calls; that’s 1750 calls a day.  

Where are they:  911/311 were located in City Hall, but have moved to a new call center in March.  The new center includes “new” amenities, but the typical call station is one of three configurations:  

  • Call Taking Monitor, 
  • Channel 7  Monitor  (Channel 7 is a Minneapolis Radio Channel that is used as a resource channel for Minneapolis Police and Park Police.) 
  • Dispatch Monitor.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

  • Answer 911 calls
  • Answer other 10-digit calls (EQ: For example, to request Police, Fire, Medical or BCR response to a non-emergency situation, call 612-348-2345)
  • Dispatch Responders to calls for service
  • Provide support services to partner agencies
  • MPD Shot Spotter and the MPD Bait Vehicle Program – 911 operators monitor, enter calls and dispatches based on Shotspotter and the MPD Bait Vehicle Program.

TRAINING:   People who are selected to work in the 911 office must go through a rigorous training program, outlined, here:

CALL TAKER

  • Must take up to 560 hours of COMBINED classroom training and one-on-one coaching  before answering a 911 call without direct supervision
  • Must know basic medical terminology
  • Must have basic computer skills
  • Must be able to provide customer service
  • Must have CJIS Certification
    •  Criminal Justice Information Service is a division of the FBI.  It compiles information from local and international communities and analyzes the statistics to provide a common database  of information to agencies around the U.S.
  • Must know Minneapolis geography

POLICE DISPATCH 

Must take an additional 440 hours of training and coaching before becoming a Police Dispatcher

FIRE DISPATCH

Must take 128 combined hours of training and coaching before becoming a Fire Dispatcher.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 911:

The first three responses will be:

“This is 911.   What is the address of the emergency?”

“Is the address a business, a house, apartment, or a duplex?”

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

Other things you will be asked:

  • Are any weapons involved?
  • Describe the vehicles/persons involved.
  • Where are the vehicles/persons involved now?
  • Does anyone need medical attention?
  • How will responders get into the building?

Stay calm.  Try not to panic.   Speak slowly and clearly.

Answer all questions and follow directions.

Don’t hang up until the 911 Call Taker says it’s OK.

If you need  translation help:  

The 911 Call Center uses Language Line Interpretation Service.   This service currently provides translation in 21 languages in Minneapolis  [EQ:  FFI google Languageline.com]

If you can’t phone, text:

While the 911 Call Center prefers you phone them, they also use Text-to-911 because sometimes, a person can’t call, for example, if they are hiding.

HOW TO TEXT 911

  • Enter 911 in the “to” field
  • Include your location and type of emergency.
  • Hit SEND.
  • Answer questions and follow instructions.
  • Use simple words and NO ABBREVIATIONS!

Things to know:

  • Location will not be as accurate on a Text as it can be with a call.
  • Be ready to give an address OR describe your location.
  • Do not text and drive.
  • It is illegal to text 911 with a false report.

Incident Dispatching and Community Engagement

Internal Partners include North Memorial Hospital, Hennepin County EMS, Minneapolis Fire/EMS/Rescue, Minneapolis Park Police, Minneapolis Police Dept., Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, Canopy Roots. 

In addition to the above emergency responders, 911 can connect you with Public Works, Forestry, Emergency Management, and with Xcel or Center Point if the event is related to a Fire Dept. incident event.   NB: Emergency Management is a City of Minneapolis department; it is not part of 911.  [EQ: SEE https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/emergency-management/  ]

It’s important to understand that when someone makes a 911 call, the call may be handled by more than one responder.   The call taker may be able to refer the caller directly to the right office.  If that’s not appropriate, the call for service may go to the MPD or the MFD or the EMS, and any of those offices might notify some OR all of the others. 

KNOW WHEN TO CALL 911 OR 311

Call 911 for the following:

  • Call if a Police Officer is needed at the scene: (assaults, gunshots heard/seen, kidnapping, domestic disputes)
  • Call if you or someone else needs an Ambulance or a Fire Dept. response.
  • Call if you or someone else is having a mental health concern.
  • Call to report an animal bite.
  • Call to report a crime in progress.
  • Call to report suspicious criminal activity that you witness.

Call 311 to make the following police reports:

  • Theft reports (bikes, packages, catalytic converters, shoplifting if no one is in custody) BUT NOT AUTO THEFT
  • Theft FROM motor vehicle or theft OF motor vehicle parts.
  •  Identity Theft.
  • Trailer theft.
  • Theft of services (taxi, innkeeper, etc) .
  • Fraud.
  • Credit card fraud.
  • Deprivation of parental rights.
  • Restraining order violation.
  • Damage to property.
  • Damage to motor vehicle unless it was attempted auto theft.
  • Obscene or harassing phone calls or text messages.
  • Loss (or mysterious disappearance) of property.
  • Property damage (as hit and run accidents).

THE MPD CALL CENTER

When the public calls 911, operators may enter a call for service to the MPD Call Center because of the nature of the complaint.   This center is staffed by MPD Officers.   An Officer will phone the caller and make an official Police Report.   Everything is done over the phone and no Officer is dispatched to the scene.  911 operators can not write an official Police Report.

An Officer must file a report based on the information they receive from the caller,  even though the MPD will not send an Officer to take information.   Examples are  robbery or burglary if there were no weapons, no injury,  no significant loss, and no evidence.     [EQ: IMPORTANT!  Even though no Officer will be dispatched, CALL ANYWAY:   It’s very important they get these reports to log in.  That’s how they can see “hot spots” for certain kinds of crime, as those hot spots are building.)


The MPD Call Center, using phone interviews, saves Officer travel time.   That means that more Officers are available to respond quickly to dangerous or critical events — priority one incidents.   This is especially important now because of MPD low staffing levels.

The Call Center operates 7AM to 3 PM, M-F.   If a call comes in outside these hours, the caller is advised to phone 612.3483.2345 during the  next business day. 

 The Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR)

The BCR was established in Minneapolis in 2021.   The teams are unarmed, culturally responsive and trauma-informed  mental health care professionals defined by Minnesota  Statute 245.462, subd. 17 7 18.   They provide intervention, counseling, and connections to support services available in Minneapolis.  

The BCR is now available 24/7 and has several offices cutting down travel and response time.  It is managed by Canopy Roots,  a local, black-owned, mental health services organization.   The service is provided free to anyone in Minneapolis.

Responders are dressed in casual blue clothes, with Behavioral Crisis Response or BCR on the back.  The vans display the logos of the City of Minneapolis and Canopy Roots.

With the development of the BCR, Minneapolis now has four emergency response units:  The BCR,  MFD, EMT, and MPD.   Each is trained to handle different situations and may request help from a different unit.   The BCR specializes in mental health emergencies, but, like the EMTs and the MFD, if they encounter serious threats, they will call for back up from the MPD for everyone’s safety.

Questions:

In response to a question, Ms Hodne replied that BCR staff always carry a police radio and are in constant contact with 911 dispatch.    

In answer to another question, she reported that the BCR responded to almost 10,000 calls in 2023.  Of those almost 1700 were in conjunction with the MPD — either the MPD requested the BCR or the BCR requested the MPD.  Additionally, the calls for service are rising.   The 2023 number was about 1500 more than in 2022.   The numbers will continue to grow.

EQ:  When you presented at 2-PAC a few years ago, the structure of 911 was being reshaped.   At that time you talked about having social workers right in your office.   Did that happen?

Hodne:  Currently, we don’t have embedded social workers in the office, but we have other options.   We can transfer a call to 988  and 211.**  Also, we work with BCR and with COPE.   Additionally, Police Depts now have embedded social workers.   We were talking about having embedded social workers too, but with Covid and staffing shortages, that got set aside.   We’re starting to talk about that again and should have more information the NEXT time we meet with you.   [EQ considers that a promise] 

Hodne:  It’s important to remember that if we get a call from someone who is trying to get comfort in a mental health situation, and there are calls still coming in, that could be someone having a heart attack or a life for death situation.  We need to connect the first person with someone whose skills are helping their kind of need.

Hodne went on later to explain that 911 operators are quick to send a second response if the first choice is not available.   For example, if a person is having a crisis and acting in a way that might cause them to injure themselves, the 911 Operator might call for a BCR response, but if BCR doesn’t have a person who can quickly get there, 911 will send in a Police Officer so the person doesn’t harm themselves. 

**[EQ: see 988lifeline.org and 211.org  – 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.   211 is the free United Way helpline for services including “physical and mental health resources, housing, utility, food, employment assistance, crisis interventions, and more.”] 

STATE OF THE PRECINCT

Inspector Torborg:     

We are still severely understaffed.   We’re at about 550 officers right now.   We’re supposed to have 731, per the city charter.

The Inspector discussed the July 4 melee Dinkytown: people throwing fireworks at other people and more.   Fortunately no one was seriously injured.   The Inspector pointed to making a lot of arrests, with the reminder that this takes officers off the street to write out reports.   He commented that the Second Precinct had a lot of help that night from  UMPD and others.   

July 4  was followed by a stabbing on Sunday night and another on Wednesday.  [EQ Two stories in the S’Trib.   of the 30 arrested, 27 are not from Minneapolis.  https://www.startribune.com/july-4th-disturbances-result-in-30-dinkytown-arrests/600378710/   More of the story four days later:  https://www.startribune.com/charges-filed-over-fourth-of-july-fireworks-melee-in-minneapolis/600379389/  ]

Last month, after the Inspector had already left, someone asked for an update on the robbery at a BP Station on University.   Inspector Torborg reported that he had contacted the owners and suggested they work on a plan that will improve the safety of their business.   He commented that  a business, working with the Precinct and city licensing can create a workable plan.  An attender asked if that might bring in a security person.  [yes!]

Second Precinct 28 day crime report from the MPD Crime Dashboard:

NIBRS Crime Metrics-28 days20242023Prev.3 yrs
Assault offenses70108103
      Incl. Domestic.Ag.Asslt.61010
Burglary, B&E102335
Vandalism925759
Homicide, non-neg.000
Homicide, negligent00
Larceny theft156174206
MV Theft775171
Robbery151617
    Incl. car-jacking112
Sex Offenses266
Stolen Prop. Offenses223
Weapons law violations979
Shots fired calls192237
Gun wound victims028

Emilie Quast, Member, MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/vQkq7ZMdLAI

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April ’24 Report, Part 2: STATE OF THE PRECINCT

Posted on April 14, 2024 | Leave a comment

STATE OF THE PRECINCT

NIBRS Crime Metrics – 28 days 2024 2023    Prev.3 yrs
Assault offenses 68 77 74      
Incl. Domestic.Ag.Asslt. 1 4 6
Burglary, B&E 18 15 25
Vandalism 64 83 61
Homicide, non-neg. 0 0 0
Homicide, negligent 0 0
Larceny theft 130 145 164
MV Theft 68 183 87
Robbery 8 12 15    
Incl. car-jacking 6 6 9
Sex Offenses 5 4 6
Stolen Prop. Offences 0 2 4
Weapons law violations 3 4 4
Shots fired calls 24 10 20
Gun wound victims 2 0 1
28-day Crime statistics for 2024, 2023, and 3-year average

Assaults, Vandalism, Larceny Theft,  Burglary  are down from last year.   Burglary is down from the 3 year average.   Robbery theft is down while Sex offenses, Stolen Property Offenses and Weapons Law Violations are looking better.

BEST:  Motor Vehicle theft is way down.  Kia and Hyundai fixes must be helping, and we’re still urging people to get clubs.

Inspector:  Last week we had two stolen cars, which is high for the Second Precinct, but we’ve had higher.   The numbers are bouncing up and down.  It also has something to do with the timing of spring break. 

EQ:  Shots fired calls are way up.   I wonder if that is multiple reports of the same incident.

Inspector:  Sometimes it is that, but the dispatchers can sometimes determine that if they’re getting multiple calls about the same shot.   Sometimes the callers wait before they call or aren’t sure where the sound came from.   That makes it harder. 

EQ:  Gunshot wound victims? 

Inspector:  There is a wonderful  restaurant near 22nd and  University.  The license for the place states an early  pm close, but the owner decided to stay open later because a lot of his customers are Muslim who were fasting for Ramadan.   It became a gathering place. Licensing had previously spoken to the owner as had the Inspector, but the owner decided to stay open again and this fight broke out.   Some of the shots went into other buildings and into cars; two teenagers were hit.  

We’ve installed a camera wagon so we will have evidence if there are any further violations.   Licensing is talking about a revocation. The owner has protested that this was unfair because other places are open later.    However, we have a process in place:   if the owner had approached us ahead of time, he could have had a temporary permit to stay open later if his safety plan was adequate.   He didn’t do that.

Juarez:   I have a question:  Is there any further news on the Dinkytown tobacco shop incident?

Inspector: The shop is complying with all the rules.   I watched the video of that assault.   The victim was in a group of four people waiting for a friend to come out of the shop.  The suspect was just standing there and then attacked.   

The shop owner has always been cooperative with the police, supplying video and so on.  They do a lot of late night business and they want to stay open.   I know UMPD Chief Clark isn’t happy about that, but they are a licensed business.  There has been a lot of trouble in that area, but apparently the trouble is not related to their site.

City Attorney Okoronkwo:   Nothing exciting to report from either of my offices.  I am in contact regularly with your CPS to keep them current on proceeding in their precinct.

EQ: Anything further?

Inspector:   Reminder that MSTAT is this week:  Every week the Inspectors meet with Special Crimes, the Chief and all the Inspectors.   Every two months, a different Precinct hosts a meeting open to invited members of the public.

YouTube video of this meeting: https://youtu.be/0QW4d2pE64I

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March, ’24 Report, Part 1: Updates on Home Security

Posted on March 23, 2024 | Leave a comment

March 11, 2024   Call to order at  6:35pm  with  8 participants 

Rashid Ali, Crime Prevention Specialist [CPS], MPD Second Precinct.

The MPD offers a program called “Home Security Assessment”.   A CPS comes to your home for a walk through and a walk outside to assess what you have in place.  They make suggestions for changes to improve your safety at home and in your neighborhood.

It will help understanding some of these suggestions if you know there are three components to a criminal’s successful behavior.   They must have a DESIRE to commit the crime.  They must have the MEANS of committing the crime.  They must have the OPPORTUNITY to commit the crime.

We have no control over a criminal’s DESIRE or their MEANS to commit a crime.   We can prevent a crime by taking away the criminal’s OPPORTUNITY.   

When we take away a criminal’s OPPORTUNITY, we improve SECURITY in our neighborhood AND in our homes.

Home security depends on three layers for action:

OUTER PERIMETER  –  This includes resources like the Police Dept. and Precinct, the Fire Dept., the neighborhood association. Learn what those resources have for you. 

INNER PERIMETER  – This is your block and the people across the street.   How well do you know your neighbors?  Can you and your neighbors help each other by watching the house if someone’s out of town, or just noticing if something looks different.

DWELLING SECURITY   –   This will be covered more deeply in this presentation.

OUTER PERIMETER:

Minneapolis Property Information*  offers a lot of info.:   Where is your MPD Precinct Station?   Fire Station? 

That’s where you report suspected criminal activity or fire hazards.

What Ward do you live in?   Your Ward handles livability issues that are not criminal but should have city attention.

Your neighborhood organization may link you to special offers.   For example, Logan park is currently offering rebates for home security upgrades (max. $350).   Waite Park had a similar program in the past.

INNER PERIMETER:

Know that your security at home starts with the people on your block and other close neighbors.  Look at your block; meet your neighbors; know when the mail is delivered and what else happens on a daily basis.

When he does a home assessment, CPS Ali offers information on the advantages of joining or forming a Block Club. Block clubs increase home safety for neighbors, share updates about local events and education opportunities.   Anyone who’s interested can contact their CPS.**

What is a Block Club?

A Block Club is a team of neighbors who:

  • Work to solve community issues
  • Are informed and involved
    • Take advantage of email alerts from the local police and fire departments and the neighborhood assn.
    • Participate in citizens’ academies
  • Help reduce opportunities for crimes
    •   Use best prevention practices
    •   Are active bystanders
    •   Observe and report
  • Know each other

HOME ASSESSMENT

Before he shows up, CPS Ali looks at the MPD Crime Dashboard to see what the crime numbers look like in that neighborhood.*** If there are a lot of unforced entries to homes because they were not locked up, he’ll emphasize safety suggestions aimed at that.   Other common threads will be talked about.

INSIDE:  The garage is often the most vulnerable and attractive:  people leave expensive bikes, power tools and more in there.   Look at the lighting — motion activated lights actually can be a deterrent. 

Security:  When you are away, disable your garage door opener or secure the door in another way.   If thieves can get into your home directly from the garage, they will.

Never leave your remote door opener in the car.  Instead, use your phone app to unlock your garage.   

Often, home access from the garage is unlocked.  It should be as secure as any other entry door.  If someone can get into an attached garage and find the house door unlocked, they can enter a home while residents are asleep — home invasion.

INSIDE: Home issues

Entries:  Door construction / Door locks (both screen and entry doors)  

CPS Ali emphasized the importance of upgrading your door security. 

Entry doors:  Strike plates — Make sure your exterior doors have high security Strike Plates.  The strike plate should be 7″ to 10″ long.  [EQ: The plates that come with standard deadbolt locks may be as short as 2″!  Someone can just kick in that door.]  The plates should have 6 holes and should be installed with  3″ screws, which are long enough to go into the construction 2x4s that frame the door opening.   Deadbolts should go 1″ into the strike plate. 

Sliding doors: Some sliding doors are issued with magnet locks that can be opened from the inside with a tap of your foot.   Burglars have learned they can open the door from the outside with a powerful magnet.   Instead, look for sliding door pin locks (some can be operated with your foot).   Horizontal channel blocks are another way to keep these doors in place.

Windows:  Your windows should not be openable more than 6″.   Newer windows come with pin locks installed.   If you have older windows, you can install pin locks, which cost about $2 for each window.  You can also put blocks in the window channel beside the upper sash.

Some windows are made with shatter resistant glass, but windows with older glass can be covered with security window film, which holds shattered glass in place (and provides UV protection).  Cost is under $2.50/sq.ft.  You can also add a layer of plexiglass for security or replace your glass entirely with plexiglass.

Air conditioners and window fans should be bolted to the house frame so they can’t be pushed or kicked in.   You can add channel blocks above that as well.

Important papers, valuables, and some handguns can be stored in a waterproof, fireproof safe, bolted to the floor.   A thief won’t take the time or want to make the noise to remove it.

LANDSCAPING:

Shrubs should be 18-24″ away from entry points. 

Hedges should be 6″ shorter than windows or shorter than 3′. Leave space between plants so you can anyone there.

Trees should be trimmed from ground to 7′ (or so they don’t block the view of people approaching.

Select thorny shrubs along fence lines, under windows and in egress window wells.  (EQ: Google “Thorny bushes” “zone 4” and “Security plants”)

ELECTRONICS:  Home security systems.   

They can be relatively low cost and are easy to use.  

Check:   what comes with the set up?  Is there a recurring cost?   Is it easy to use?   Who calls 911? (you or the system)

Does it include calling the Fire Dept.?


Systems used to be hardwired to a phone line, which could be cut. 
CPS Ali prefers to see wireless systems. Wireless incorporates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio and other wireless connections.   You can check your own property with a motion activated camera.  Some connect to a mic, so you can warn off intruders.   Many available systems can be installed by a homeowner.

Motion detector lights are always useful but especially when focused on a “hiding spot”.

Experienced thieves don’t want to break into a home they have not already cased.  They want to know what to expect.   

Someone compiled a list of what “the pros” look for in a target home: 

No home security

Poor exterior lighting

Open, unlocked garage door.

Windows and/or doors unlocked

Window air conditioning unit

Easily accessible backyard

You make it obvious you have valuables

Expensive landscaping

Empty homes

Piles of mail

Social Media announcements  “Hawaii, here we come!”

No dogs

No vehicles in the drive

Home is near a major highway  (quick getaway)

Emilie spotted a program,  Crime Prevention through Environmental Design***** and asked CPS Ali to look into it.   He responded:

It’s a course  that teaches how to manage the environment to reduce crime.   This course should be given a full presentation, but briefly: 

There are core 5 principles:  

Natural surveillance:  Using space to maximize visibility — gives intruders the feeling they are being watched

Natural access control:   Managing how people move through a space

Territoriality:  Marking boundaries so people know they are entering a controlled space.

Activity Support:  Reminding people what appropriate behavior is.   “Do not run in the store”

Maintenance:  Neglected look suggests no one is watching.

From the website, “. . . [A]n area’s physical design can influence human behavior, reduce crime, fear of crime, and improve quality of life. CPTED uses various tools to evaluate environmental conditions and utilize intervention methods to improve space and how it is used. Whether it is new construction, existing construction, green space, schools, businesses, or neighborhoods, CPTED strategies have proven to be successful.”

EQ: It appeared in my feed and looked interesting so I showed it to CPS Ali.   When I read the first page of the website and thought about it, I realized how often our behavior is shaped  by how our surroundings are designed.  This is true in parks, retail stores, malls, schools, and in our homes.   Check the website FFI.

QQ  Ring doorbell cameras are often not good at getting a face view of the person stealing a package or whatever.    What is a good  installation?

CPS Ali:  Every installation depends on the skill level of the person doing it.   Most modern cameras have a very wide view.   

Do some research.  Maybe hire an installer.  Ask your friends.   This is a one-time investment, so make sure you like what you see before you tell them you are satisfied.

QQ:  80% of the residents of SE Como are renters.   What responsibilities do landlords have for dwelling security?

CPS Ali:  From the landlord’s point of view:   You don’t know how responsible your tenants  are.   As a landlord, I would want to put in as much as I could to protect the property and the renters.   You owe it to your renters to keep them safe, but you also owe it to yourself to protect your property and investment.   

QQ:   I have a ring doorbell.   I’ve seen notices about sharing security videos with the police.   Are there any regulations we should know about?   

CPS Ali:  I’ll just speak from the CPS perspective:   we get stills, videos, car information, anything that would identify a suspected criminal.

We give it to property crimes investigators.  If it’s  meaningful, it will be shared with Inspector Torborg, precinct-wide, and elsewhere if it seems meaningful.

Inspector Torborg:   There’s a program where you can register your security camera with the city.   The idea is that if there is a crime nearby, investigators can   check the database and see who has security cameras that might have captured the incident.   There’s a link on the city website.****  [EQ: an app for homeowners:  https://connect-minneapolis-c4d53b85.netlify.app/   ]

QQ:   I get a notification when one of my daughters is traveling, usually on Facebook.   Who all can see this?

CPS Ali:  That is usually a notification and only goes to a limited number of people,  who have been given permission to receive it.   It is not a true “broadcast” and unless there’s a breach it should be OK.   There are many platforms:  Facebook, iPhone, computer and more.   [CPS left at this point]

QQ: One more question: Does the CPS also work with U of MN students?   A lot of these breakins happen to students, especially when they’re on spring break.


CPS Toller:  I also work with UMPD and with Nick Juarez. 

Quast:   Good!  We’ll be having a UMPD/MPD presentation  cooperative work later this year.

*https://apps.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/AddressPortalApp/

** https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/police/cps/  OR  https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/prevent-prepare/crime-prevention/block-clubs/

***https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/government-data/datasource/crime-dashboard/  [EQ: to find stats for your area, click on the white box in the upper right corner of the screen, “View Crime Details”.  Enter date range in their format, scroll down for your n’hood.  For a good how-to use this resource, see CPS Ali’s presentation:  https://courtwatch2pac.com/?s=dashboard   Click on the top entry.

****https://thenicp.com/

*****[EQ: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/police-public-safety/security-camera-registration/]

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Feb. report, Part 1: The BCA: what it is and what it does for us.

Posted on February 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

Call to order at 6:40PM, 13 people attending.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — the BCA — is being cited in news stories every day, but no one explains why they are tapped or even what the BCA is.   This report offers the explanation.

Our speaker is  Supt. Drew Evans who leads the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the MPD  were organized in 1852 and 1867 respectively.  For over 50 years, they provided effective service to citizens, but as crime became more “mobile” and more complex, response had to evolve also.   Law enforcement efforts led to the establishment of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in 1927.   The BCA was created under the MN Attorney General’s Office, to “assist Minnesota peace officers in solving local crimes and apprehending criminals.”   BCA agents were authorized to work across city and county lines — something local officials couldn’t do. 

The BCA continued to grow and evolve.  In 1935, it added the Division of Statistics.  New agents were trained to earn full police power; having those highly trained officers made it possible to establish field offices across the state.   In 1947, the BCA added a Forensic Science Lab, then limited to chemical testing and microscopic analysis.  That first lab was staffed by one scientist and occupied a 350 sq. ft. space.  

In 1969, several agencies  including the BCA became the Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety.   That first 1-person Forensic Lab had evolved into one of the first DNA labs in the United States.   It was the first U.S. lab to identify a suspect based solely on DNA.  When a larger HQ was built in 2003, the Forensic Labs were given almost half the space in the 226,000 sq.ft. facility.

The number of trained officers has also grown (over 630 as of this report),  which enables the BCA to have a field office in each of 12 MN divisions.  

The BCA is chartered by Minnesota statute 299C  [https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/299C]  which details the Bureau’s scope, powers, and responsibilities.

The BCA has four Divisions:  Investigations,  Forensic Science, MN Justice Information, and Professional Services.  They share strategic priorities, including driving criminal justice data management, designing effective development options for Minnesota’s criminal justice professionals, delivering quality forensic science services,  targeting violent criminals, organized crime, child exploitation, and tech-crime, and creating a work culture that values,supports, develops, attracts and retains BCA employees.

INVESTIGATIONS
This unit works on Predatory Crimes, Technical Services and Financial Crimes, and Criminal Information Operations.  Regional offices in St. Paul and Bemidji cover local Violent Crime and Narcotics Investigations.   Task Forces coordinate with Federal Task Forces including Drug Enforcement Agencies, the FBI Safe Streets, Safe Trails (Northern Minnesota)  US Marshals and JTTF.  

Predatory crimes include Internet Crimes against Children, Predatory Offender Investigations, Predatory Offender Registration, and Human Trafficking.  

Technical Services and Financial Crimes  include the Financial Crimes Task Force, and Technical Services unit, (which investigates:Pen Registers, Conducts wiretaps, Installs covert cameras, conducts Electronic surveillance, Cellular tracking, Crime scene response. 

They also provide about 250 Crime Alerts each month and authorize “MN Duty Officers” — a single “point of contact” for law enforcement agencies.  

Criminal Information and Operations include the Minnesota Fusion Center, the BCA operations center the BCA Duty Officer, Reactive Criminal intelligence analysts, MN Missing Persons clearinghouse, the MN AMBER alert program, the MN Crime Alert Program, the MN Blue Alert Program

The BCA Investigations Fusion Center was moved to the BCA in 2013   It collects, analyzes and disseminates information of data on organized criminals, terrorists and all-hazardous activity in MN,   it is the state-based point of contact to coordinate information sharing between federal, state, and local agencies (https://mn.gov/fusioncenter/register/)  It houses the Secure communications room for Homeland Security.

FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES DIVISION

Forensics has three offices.  The full service office in St. Paul offers Evidence intake / processing, biology /DNA, chemistry, latent prints, firearms and toolmarks, crime scene, digital and multimedia, trace, toxicology, the Calibration lab.  

Facilities in Bemidji and St. Cloud offer only some of these services, but that will be expanding as staff expands.

Additional Forensic services include the MN Breath testing program, Expert court testimony, Stakeholder training,Technical guidance, Research, development and validation of up to date technology, Quality assurance requirements, and Service on National Forensic Science Committees and Boards   

Since 1994,  the BCA has earned accreditation in  11 disciplines including DNA testing, digital preservation and authentication, many areas of firearms & toolmark analysis, footwear and tire analysis, seized drugs analysis, toxicology

MN JUSTICE INFORMATION SERVICES
This is the state’s gateway to criminal justice information.   Over 30 computer applications and services provide data to criminal justice agencies in Minnesota.   Its goal is to deliver accurate, timely, and complete information to criminal justice partners and citizens for better decisions-making.

Data shared includes  Criminal history, Predatory Offenders, Law enforcement incidents, Driver & vehicle data, Fingerprints, Wanted/missing persons, Orders for protection, Prison, jail and detention orders, Domestic abuse no contact orders, Arrest and booking photos, Stolen property, charging data (complaints, citations, incidents), Other states’ criminal history,driver & vehicle, Probation & supervision.

Other services include criminal history background checks, fingerprinting, information security,  Education and marketing (product mgmt), statewide crime statistics, FBI-required audits.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Oversees the BCA’s budget and fiscal responsibility and manages other services for all divisions such as grant and contracts managements, HR assistance, purchasing,  accounts, special expenses, mailroom operations.  

BCA Training
the BCA is required to provide statewide training (M.S. 626.848).   It offers classroom and online training in police practices and investigative techniques, management and leadership,  forensic science processes, and BCA systems to 9000+ students /year.

Additionally, the BCA includes a Legal Team to provide analysis on litigation, legislation, data practices & policies.   They have a Data Practices team, offer Law Enforcement Accreditation, a Communications team, and provide help with Strategic Planning and  Criminal Justice Information &  BCA advisory group.

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Feb. Report, Part 2: State of the Precinct. Incl Youtube link

Posted on February 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

STATE OF THE PRECINCT

From the MPD Crime Dashboard, 2nd Precinct 28 day report.

Crime metric              2024         2023         3-yr. average

Assault                          63             59             65

    Incl. Domestic           10              8               9

Burglary B&E                26            27             28
Damage to prop.           77            64             55 

Homicide, non-neg         1               0               –
Homicide, negligent        0               0               –
Larceny theft               156           132           182

M.V. Theft                      76             91            78

Robbery                         16             44            12

   Incl.car-jack’               2               1              4

Sex offenses                   15              2              7

Stolen property off.           2               1             1 

Weapon Law Viol.             4               0             1

Shots fired calls               20             12           12

Gunshot wound vics.         1               0             1

QQ  Does damage to property include graffiti?

Inspector Torborg: Graffiti has exploded in the 2nd Precinct, especially down the Central corridor.  It’s frustrating because people tend to regard that as a minor crime, but they’re doing a lot of expensive damage to the Northeast.  It’s investigated by the Property Crimes Unit, which today includes one Lieutenant and one Investigator.   That’s it.

They’ve identified some suspects and are working with the County Attorney’s office because these are juveniles.    That makes it harder to determine what is the appropriate punishment.   In one case along the RR tracks by the 5th Street bridge, a juvenile from Prior Lake was spraying graffiti and urinating in public. There was a witness who captured pictures of the suspect.  It doesn’t rise to the level of crime that we book him in Juvenile Detention, but we do have to send a message that this IS a serious crime.

Unfortunately, with all the other things that are going on in Minneapolis, graffiti is pretty far down on the list of what we can respond to.    That lets people think it isn’t a serious crime and they can get away with it.   We’re back to a matter of resources available to get the work done.  [EQ: “Resources” means officers in squad cars, I think]

COMMENT:   Como has an ongoing program that wraps utility boxes.   These are getting tagged regularly.   The MFD provides the removal chemicals which work pretty well.    He always takes a picture of the graffiti and sends it to 311 — apparently some office is keeping those pictures as evidence.  

Inspector Torborg:  It really helps if you can get pictures of the people painting the graffiti.  

Inspector Torborg:  We caught a few juveniles painting the Lumber Co. on Central and transported them home.   Hopefully they’ll be getting some form of a ticket like damage to property and disorderly conduct.

Quast:  I’ve had a complaint that people want COURTWATCH back, and told them I’d ask if there is a timeline for bringing it back.

Atty Okoronkow:  Our office does not do lists of Targeted Prosecution any more.  The Dept. of Human Rights took this as an issue that they wanted stopped.   The First Precinct had a robust list and does not have a list at all any more. 

COMMENT: Met an officer at the car wash  and asked how things were going at the 2nd Precinct.    It turned out this was that officer’s last day and he was moving to the Highway Patrol.   He commented his MPD equipment didn’t work very well; Ford no longer makes the vehicle he was using.

Inspector Torborg:   We have about 60 Ford Explorer Police Packages.  That is add-on equipment, specific for Ford Explorers, but Ford is not delivering the vehicles or offering a timeframe when they can make that delivery.  It takes a long time to get them ready for the street.  Radios and other equipment have to be installed and the back has to be modified.  In the meantime, Dodge Durangoes will be taking their place.

COMMENT:   He also mentioned that recruiting is a challenge.

Inspector Torborg:  As of today, we have 505 officers.   144 of them are eligible for retirement.  We’ve been without a contract for over a year, and the officers’ pay is lagging behind what they can get elsewhere.  

Attenders chatted about contacting our CCMs, Payne, Wonsley and Rainville.

YOUTUBE Video:  https://youtu.be/2wCFuOi-AD0

Emilie Quast, member

MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council (2-PAC)

1911 Central Ave NE

Minneapolis MN 55418

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MPD 2-PAC Jan. ’24 report, Part 1: Dinkytown and SE Mpls crime updates.

Posted on January 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

We have very low attendance tonight because EQ sent the wrong link to attenders. All I can do is apologize.

The meeting opened at 6:44 PM 7 attenders. We followed up on our December discussion of the several crimes that occurred in Dinkytown and elsewhere in SE Minneapolis.* (asterisks refer you to newspaper story links on part 2 of this report)

Two people were killed and a third person wounded in Royal Cigar, a tobacco shop, at 14th and 4th Street SE at 2 AM. The first story in the Star Tribune indicated that the shop had a 11PM close mandated by its licensing. It was later discovered the shop IS licensed to remain open until 2 AM; a correction appeared in the S’Trib.

Two weeks later, 3 underaged women were given drinks by others [not staff] at Blarney’s. The drinks had been adulterated. The chemicals used to adulterate the drinks do not cause people to stagger or slur their speech, so Blarney’s staff didn’t have any alert signs. [See Inspector Torborg’s comment below.] The women left with the “others” When the women appeared at a hospital emergency room later that night, only one of them was able to communicate with officers.

EQ contacted the Manager of Mpls. Licenses and Consumer Services, Amy Lingo, hoping she’d have time to join us with an outline of her office’s response to these events, since both shops are licensed by the city.

She offered to speak at a future meeting, AND she sent me the following statement for tonight’s meeting, “Business Licensing , the 2nd Police Precinct, and Police Licensing are working together and with the establishments, both in advance and as issues arise. Measures such as formal security reviews and alcohol service compliance checks are in process. Complaints that do not fall under immediate emergency (which should utilize 911) are best sent via 311. This allows us to track and trace the issues.

“As far as licensing impact, . . . We are following our protocol and procedures for such enforcement actions. We use a progressive enforcement plan as well as a communication plan. When we find rules that are being ignored, we reeducate and work to regain alignment and proper business behavior.”

What Ms. Lingo stated reinforces the statements Inspector Torborg and CPS Ali made in December. Since they are on the front lines of this business, I’m asking if they have any updates?

Inspector Torborg: I’m in contact with the departments in Licensing, but can’t make any comments that might jeopardize the case. Checks are in progress and I haven’t heard any updates on the [health] of the girls. Lab work is in process and adulteration cases are tricky. This is a rare case because the victims actually made it to the hospital while they still had drugs in their systems. Most often victims don’t realize what has happened until the drugs have been metabolized, which leaves nothing for the lab to find.

Torborg added that bystanders [including bartenders trained to watch for people for “issues”] are not likely to realize the victims have been drugged. They don’t act that way. Instead the drugs are more of a memory blocker. The Inspector recalled from his work with Sex Crimes investigations, that people would protest they were familiar with the effects of alcohol on their systems. This was different. “I lost time” is what he heard.

The next incident: Shots fired at an occupied house on 15th Ave. SE in SE Como. A day later, the owner spotted officers searching the alley and talking to neighbors. Apparently several shells were recovered. No further info available.

Mr Santana’s Deli on University Ave SE also had a shooting during this 28 day period.

Inspector Torborg: The shooter is claiming self-defense. She did flee the scene that night but then turned herself in. It will be up to the County Attorney to decide what charges to apply.

Mr Santana’s has a conditional permit from many years ago that allows them to be open 24 hours a day. The Police would rather see everything close up at 1 AM which makes patrol work easier to do well.

Inspector Torborg: We’ve had 14 shootings in the 2nd Precinct this year [i.e.2023], 6 of them were homicides. That is astronomically high compared with the rest of the city. The 4th Precinct [his previous assignment] has a shooting almost every day, but relatively few of them are homicides.

Quast: UMPD coverage of the 2nd Precinct traditionally changed over the years. How do UMPD and MPD handle coverage today?

Inspector Torborg: Right now UMPD Squads back up MPD Squads on Priority 1 Calls. Their cameras also help. The day after the shooting at Royal Cigar, the UMPD camera trailer was right in front of the shop. The trailer cameras are monitored back at the UMPD station.

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Jan. ’24 Report, part 2: State of the Precinct, Reporting crime on 911 and 311, MPD Staffing; Repeat offenders; 988 Lifeline, a new program.

Posted on January 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

STATE OF THE PRECINCT Whether pushed by the mild temperatures or Holiday Break, crime is up. People have more free time and one less reason to stay home.

Data from the MPD Crime Dashboard:

Crime Metric    2024   2023   3-yr. ave

Assault      78    64    64

Burglary B&E   17    20    24

Damage to prop. 102    43    44 

Homicide, non-neg 2    0

Homicide, negligent 0    0

Larceny theft   155    79   159

M.V. Theft     79    79    64 

Robbery     8     4

  Incl. Car-jacking 2    0     3

Sex offenses    7    4     17

Stolen property off. 0    1     4

Weapon Law Viol. 4     3    5

*Domestic Ag.Aslt. 17   7    9

Shots fired calls  18   10    19

Gunshot Vics    3   0    1

QQ: How should we report an incident to 911 when we call? Asker had a person show up on her Ring video who appeared to be having a mental health crisis. She asked the 911 operator to send someone with that training but is wondering if residents should offer that info because we don’t have training in that.

Inspector Torborg: When you contact a 911 dispatcher, give them as much information as you can. If the person is doing something criminal, a Police Officer will go out with the Social Worker. There are many times when an officer is called to “crime in progress” and the behavior described suggests that a mental crisis specialist is needed on the call. In those cases, the officers make sure the situation is safe for the behavioral specialist. The only time when a Behavioral Crisis team is dispatched without an officer is when there is no crime occurring.

QQ South Minneapolis has teams of violence preventers. Do we have this in the 2nd Pct.?

Torborg: There are different groups that get called to these incidents. Last summer in Dinkytown, we had Somali Mothers who contract with the Office of Violence Prevention.

QQ: So many people are saying, “Don’t bother calling 911”. What do you think about that?

Torborg: Do keep calling 911. The calls are tallied and that is one of the resources we DO use to allocate resources. If people don’t call 911, response times are going to be even slower in the future.

After we make an arrest, it’s up to the County Attorney to decide if they will be charged. When we bring someone in, it is VERY often true that this person has previous arrests — sometimes they have many previous arrests. People hear about repeat offenders and assume repeat offenders are out there because the cops are not doing their jobs. Actually, it’s other offices in the criminal justice system that have failed and allowed this person to go back to the public and victimize people.

CPS Ali: There is one more light. Since the inception of the 988 Lifeline (previously the Suicide Prevention Lifeline) there are more resources for people in mental health crisis. Also, some of the officers have received special training for when this response is needed. People with this training can filter calls to determine what kind of response is needed. This is a new territory for all of us, including the Police Department.

We’ve all seen this frustration that “officers don’t come” One reason for this is that we don’t have enough officers.

QQ: How is recruiting going?

Inspector Torborg: Not well. They are starting a new academy this spring. They had 60 applicants. After the applications were examined, that is now down to 11 people.

Quast: And some of those 11 people will take a job in a suburb or Ramsey County.

Torborg: That goes both ways. We’ve had officers come from those places too. They do have to go through a brief retraining session. Another issue is that we have a lot of officers who are approaching 55 and can retire without penalty. Minneapolis will have that to handle in the near future.

Also, we have not had a contract since January 1, 2023. There doesn’t seem to be any urgency in signing this contract. [EQ: Officers are not allowed to go on strike.]

*Original Star Tribune stories are here:

https://www.startribune.com/brawl-inside-dinkytown-tobacco-shop-led-to-weekend-shooting-that-killed-2-injured-clerk/600324407/ Dec. 6 story, and

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-several-underaged-women-say-they-were-drugged-at-dinkytown-bar/600329132/ Dec. 18 story, and.

https://www.startribune.com/27-year-old-woman-charged-with-murder-in-weekend-shooting-at-marcy-holmes-deli-convenience-store/600332133/

This event actually occurred in January ’24, and is included in the crime statistics for 1/8, a 28 day compilation. It is part of this month’s report, above.

** The Inspector previously led the MPD Sex Crimes unit. See his 2019 2-PAC presentation at https://courtwatch2pac.com/?s=sex+crimes

YouTube copy of meeting recording: https://youtu.be/kR7bCHrxqQg

Emilie Quast, Member, MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council (2-PAC), 1911 Central Ave NE Minneapolis MN 55418 

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