Statistics released yesterday by local law enforcement show that criminal activity rose 10 percent in St. Paul last year compared to 2016. The increase was driven by a notable rise in theft crimes.
“Anytime we have an increase in any crime category, it’s certainly not good news and we take it very seriously,” said Police Chief Todd Axtell.
Law enforcement tracked eight specific crime categories to get a better understanding of how crime rates were fluctuating and which areas needed more focus from police. Below, we take a closer look at the report.
Crime In St. Paul
Here’s a look at what drove the 10 percent increase in crime in 2017:
- There were 22 homicides in St. Paul last year, up from 19 in 2016, and the most in more than a decade.
- There was a 16 percent increase in thefts in St. Paul last year, and an 11 percent increase in auto thefts.
- Police say the majority of thefts were small scale, and did not meet the threshold of robbery, which involves force or the threat of force.
- Burglary numbers were basically identical, with 2,274 reported burglaries in 2017, compared to 2,270 in 2016.
- Shots fired were up 28 percent from 2016.
- Crimes against property grew by larger margins than crimes against persons — 11 percent.
Police say that the majority of theft crimes are simply caused by opportunity. Police say Minnesotans are often too trustworthy when it comes to leaving their valuables unattended. They are reminding people not to leave their cars unattended to warm up in the winter, and the same goes for leaving purses or cell phones on tables when at a restaurant or bar. All it takes is second or two for a thief to make off with your valuables, and oftentimes it’s tough for police to track down these petty thefts.
If you have been victimized by a crime and wonder where to turn, reach out to Appelman Law Firm. We have a number of contacts in the victim services community, and we can help you out of a tough situation. And if you’ve made a mistake and ended up charged with a crime, the same advice applies. Reach out to Avery Appelman and the team of attorneys at Appelman Law Firm for more information on how we can help you.
