An analysis of crime in the first half of 2015 revealed that Hennepin County has experienced a noticeable increase in violent crime, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s department.
Hennepin County officials reported that violent crime – which includes murder, manslaughter, rape robbery and aggravated assault – saw an 8 percent increase in the first six months of 2015. Other findings from the report show:
- Homicides, which include murder and manslaughter, were up 37 percent in the first half of 2015.
- Minneapolis accounted for 75% of all violent crime in Hennepin County.
- There were 306 reported rapes in the first half of 2015, which represented a 15 percent increase from last year.
- Hennepin residents reported 1,299 cases of aggravated assaults, which also represented a 15 percent increase.
- Violent crime increased 27 percent in the outskirts of Hennepin County, while Minneapolis saw a 2.5 percent increase.
- The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department reported a 54 percent increase in seizure of illegal firearms.
- Property crimes fell 5 percent in the first six months of 2015, and there was a 4 percent decrease in muggings in Hennepin County.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said the findings show a troubling trend.
“Clearly, this is a red flag,” said Stanek. “The increase in violent crime has a negative impact on residents throughout the county.”
He added that the police are focused on increasing efforts to reduce violent crime across Hennepin County, but he also asked community leaders and the general public to do their part in reducing violent crime.
“We all share the responsibility to prevent crime and partner in keeping our families and neighborhoods safe.”
Related source: Star-Tribune
