The University of Minnesota announced public safety changes in an emailed response to a shooting in Dinkytown that left five people injured, three of whom were students.
The shooting occurred early in the morning on Saturday, June 19 near the corner of 14th Avenue Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast. The public safety changes include increased police presence and mobile cameras in Dinkytown and Marcy-Holmes, while long-term changes include installing lighting and blue light kiosks.
None of the students were critically injured, but it left many students on edge. Regan Anderson, a student at the University, said the shooting and recent crime left her shocked and upset.
“I love living in Dinkytown and I love being on campus but I do sometimes think is it really worth it if I’m just gonna have to deal with this kind of stuff day in and day out,” Anderson said.
An increase in police officers has improved safety in Dinkytown in the past, according to an emailed statement by University Police Department Chief Matt Clark.
“Numbers [of police officers] will vary by shift, but there will be an increased presence of UMPD officers in Dinkytown for the foreseeable future,” Clark said. “An increased visible presence of law enforcement and ability to respond quickly to emergency calls traditionally helps improve safety.”
Andy Oien, a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), said that he was frustrated with the increase of police on campus. He said that SDS is holding a protest against the increase on Saturday, June 26.
“What I would like to see is the [University] work with the city of Minneapolis to try to get them to implement more programs that address the cause of this violence,” said Oien. “We’d prefer to see the U trying to go after the root causes of all this crime and violence.”
In the future, the University is looking at installing additional blue light emergency kiosks in Dinkytown. In case of an emergency, these kiosks connect students to campus police with the push of a button.
Anderson said adding more of these kiosks in Dinkytown would be helpful for students.
“I feel like just being able to physically see a light up blue thing that reads emergency, it’s like okay, that is clearly a place I can go to like get help,” Anderson said.
Victoria Epshteyn, a junior, said that after the recent crime in Dinkytown, she is looking forward to seeing these public safety changes implemented by the University.
“I feel like people were just taking advantage of the fact that there really wasn’t a police presence at all on our campus,” Epshteyn said.
Ms. Lorna
Jul 3, 2021 at 12:52 am
The inmates are running the asylum. Not many years ago, cops flooded Dinkytown on weekend nights. There was always one or two standing or parked at the Kollege Klub corner. Thugs with guns don’t show up when cops are there. The cowards are more afraid of being busted than anything. You anti-cop kiddos need to wake up. Everybody needs a cop some day. Remember that when you get car-jacked or burglarized or assaulted….or worse.
greem beam
Jul 1, 2021 at 3:22 pm
< andy oien 3
greem beam
Jul 1, 2021 at 3:19 pm
me when im probably racist :pensive:
greem beam
Jul 1, 2021 at 3:18 pm
so true bestie !
greem beam
Jul 1, 2021 at 3:18 pm
no <3
Enn Arre
Jul 1, 2021 at 1:43 pm
“Frustrated with the increase of police on campus” Because why? You think police are the problem? “We’d prefer to see the U trying to go after the root causes of all this crime and violence.” Yes wonderful blue sky prevention idea… How about we do both?? More police for now to protect the good law abiding citizens of our community and the root cause elimination plan will help later….much much later….maybe. But that doesn’t keep you from getting kicked in the face and having your phone stolen while you wait for a bus tonight. Don’t defund or delete police….put them out of business. Simple supply and demand situation…when you get rid of the demand there is no need for the supply……right now there is a huge demand, right now the streets are red with blood daily…not from the hands of police mind you but from the hands of criminals. Thank every officer you see for sticking with their job under these ridiculous times!
A Gopher
Jun 30, 2021 at 6:13 pm
“Address the root causes of crime” Ok, so you’re saying go back in time and prevent all these criminals being born to single ghetto mommas? These folks are not interested in just dropping the lifestyle and attitude they’ve spent years cultivating just because it’s not hurting you in the feels department. Criminals will stop picking on UMN students when they perceive that they are unlikely to get away with crime unscathed. That can come from students choosing to conceal and carry or for more criminals to get apprehended by the police. If you really beleive that a bunch of thugs will just give up their life of crime then I dare you to head over North Minneapolis and start preaching that on W Broadway Ave and Penn Ave. How about right in front of the liquor store… No, oh so when it comes down to it you’re smart enough that your actions show you understand avoiding dangerous situations and people, but then somehow you lose all rationality when you’re in your safe space on campus, gotcha.
newsposter
Jun 30, 2021 at 2:43 pm
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