Property crime has largely increased around the University of Minnesota compared to last year. Since March 27 at 11:59 p.m., the state has been under a stay-at-home order by the direction of Gov. Tim Walz.
Crime trends
Violent crime has remained steady in most University-area neighborhoods, aside from Marcy-Holmes. The neighborhood saw an uptick from one violent crime incident, a robbery, between March 22 and April 5 last year to eight this year — six aggravated assaults, one domestic assault, and one robbery.
In the first three weeks of March, property crime around the University — besides Prospect Park — was climbing compared to last year. The two following weeks have also seen an increase to a lesser extent. Southeast Como, Cedar-Riverside and Marcy-Holmes each saw an increase of six property crimes compared to last year — reaching 18, 20 and 33 incidents this year respectively. Prospect Park property crime decreased from 18 incidents to 10 in the same two weeks.
Year-to-date crime up until April 5 has mostly increased in the three University neighborhoods besides Prospect Park. Southeast Como has seen a 29% jump from 62 property crimes last year to 80 this year. The neighborhood’s violent crime has risen from 6 to 10 incidents.
Marcy-Holmes had 24 violent crimes by April 5 this year, a 60% jump from 15 in the same period last year. This included a rise in aggravated assaults from six to 13. Property crime has risen by 10 incidents to 148.
Cedar-Riverside had 11 robberies by April 5 this year, increasing from two last year. The neighborhood has had a 63% increase of violent crime, up to 26 incidents this year. Property crime has mostly stagnated at 91 incidents this year.
Prospect Park’s year-to-date property crime numbers declined to 92 this year after the neighborhood saw 110 incidents last year. Violent crime dropped from 13 to 10 incidents.
Notable crimes
The Minneapolis Police Department received calls of shots fired in Marcy-Holmes on April 1 around 7:40 p.m. at the 800 block of Sixth Street Southeast. No injuries were reported, and the suspects were gone when police arrived. Several spent gun casings were found in the street. No arrests have been made.
In an email to the Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota Police Department Chief Matt Clark said there has not been a significant change in crime on campus. Public safety has continued to operate at full staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. UMPD officers and security personnel have also been issued personal protective equipment, like gloves or masks, for responding to calls.
“At this time, Public Safety is focusing on supporting our campus community and essential staff,” the email read.
