The recent tumultuous Fourth of July evening in Dinkytown sparked conversation among students concerned about safety and crime within the area. 

The Minneapolis Police Department and its law enforcement partners made at least 30 arrests and issued five citations on July 4.

Rogan Isbell, a recent graduate and resident of Dinkytown, said he saw numerous instances this summer where people threw fireworks in the streets.

“Over the Fourth, I could see everything from my window,” Isbell said. “I saw like 15 cop cars pulling down Fourth Street, and they were putting people in cop cars and arresting them, so that was a sight to behold.” 

Isbell said the repeated incidents of people throwing fireworks in the streets outside his residence have become frustrating and annoying, but he does not feel unsafe.

“I feel like it just comes down to situational awareness and being aware of your surroundings,” Isbell said.

Matt Colombo, a second-year student, said it concerns him that crime is ramping up in the area.

“I know a lot of people who live in the apartments around there are more wary and more on guard recently,” Colombo said.

Colombo said he thinks the recent crime within the area could influence people’s decision to come to the University of Minnesota due to safety concerns.

“I think it’s a hard problem to solve because a lot of these people will come from different areas, and it could be gang-related,” Colombo said. 

Isbell said he started seeing more police presence within the area, especially on weekends.

“I feel like the University has been doing a better job and trying to respond to people’s concerns, which seems good,” Isbell said.

Isbell said the University’s resources such as 624-WALK and Gopher Chauffeur help make sure people can get home safely. 

“I feel like the University is unique in the fact that it is a larger campus, and it is in a metropolitan area,” Isbell said. “I feel like there’s bound to be a little bit more risk of things happening here compared to a normal college neighborhood.” 

Luke Wittner, a fourth-year student, said when he lived in Dinkytown one of his first memories was getting punched in the face and robbed. 

“You couldn’t pay me to live there,” Wittner said. 

Wittner is the executive vice president of the Interfraternity Council and a member of the Campus Safety Coalition. 

Wittner said he deals with safety in both positions and tries to be a voice for the student body. He said he does not blame the police for the problems all too familiar to Dinkytown residents. 

According to Wittner, University officials push back on having more police in the area because they think it is too intimidating and then go home to their gated communities. 

“They don’t live in Dinkytown,” Wittner said, “They don’t experience it like we experience it, so I think they’re incredibly out of touch of what actually needs to be done.” 

Elizabeth Franke, a third-year student and employee at Insomnia Cookies in Dinkytown, said she often sees fights break out at work. She added employees are equipped with ways to protect themselves at work if needed.  

“I think the crime in Dinky always goes up in the summer,” Franke said. “When school is out we’re getting the younger crowd.”

Employee hours recently got cut at Insomnia, and many have to work closing shifts alone in Dinkytown, according to Franke. Female employees who do not have cars make the trek with pepper spray on hand or ask delivery drivers to stay late and drive them home. 

“It’d be nice if that wasn’t a concern, if you could just walk home at the end of your shift,” Franke said.