Related Organizations

Community Crime Prevention

Each precinct is also served by several crime prevention specialists. They work with individual neighborhoods to reduce the fear of crime, improve community and police cooperation and improve the quality of life in Minneapolis neighborhoods.

The crime prevention specialists provide educational materials and programs, develop working relationships with the community and assist residents in reducing the opportunity for crime and in solving problems in the community.

Community Crime Prevention Does…

Problem Solving:

• Pro-active Crime Prevention Activities
  We offer free home security demonstrations and personal safety workshops, free home security checks, auto theft prevention presentations, crime alert bulletins and rental property owner workshops.
• Organizing Block Clubs/ Neighborhood Watch Groups
  We actively recruit residents to organize their blocks. Volunteers (block leaders) are taught crime prevention techniques and how to maintain their block clubs and inform the police when illegal or suspicious behavior is occurring.
• Neighborhood Issues Affecting More Than Two Neighbors
  This can include problems such as chronic party houses, addresses with unsupervised youth causing problems in the neighborhood or addresses that generate repeat calls for service.
• Problems Dealing With Rental Property
  When repeated disorderly conduct by tenants or their guests (noisy parties, sale or use of weapons) is reported at a rental property, crime prevention specialists works with the neighborhood and the property owner to correct the behavior. We send a sequence of notices so that the problem can be addressed by the owner. Crime prevention specialists are available to provide information and assistance, but if the conduct continues, the ultimate result can be revocation or suspension of the rental dwelling license.
• Problems Dealing With Owner Occupied Residences
  The police department can use the state nuisance statute to address repeated disorderly conduct that occurs at or near a residence by owners or their guests (guns, noisy parties, prostitution, illegal liquor, drugs or gambling) if the activity is verified by the police. As with rental properties, we try to work with the owner by providing information and assistance. However, if the conduct continues, we work with the County Attorney's office to close the property for up to one year. During that period, all occupants are evicted and the property is boarded and cannot be used for any purpose.

Community Crime Prevention Doesn’t do…

Problem Solving:

• Neighbor one-on-one disputes
  When two neighbors have a one-on-one dispute (such as property line disputes or livability issues), they may contact Conflict Resolution Center or (for financial disputes) Conciliation Court.
• Traffic Complaints
  General questions about traffic complaints may be directed to Traffic Enforcement.
• Animal Issues
  Animal Issues/Pet issues regardless of the time of day are handled by Animal Control at 612-348-4250.
• Housing Inspections
  If you have complaints about garbage houses, tall grass, structure problems or a house without water or electrical service, contact Housing Inspections.
• Parking Complaints
  Issues concerning abandoned autos or other parking problems on public streets or sidewalks may be addressed to Traffic Control & Parking Enforcement.
  
  Issues concerning abandoned autos or other parking problems on private property may be addressed to Housing Inspections.
• Suspected Narcotics Activity
  If you believe that a location is the site of suspected drug activity, call your precinct Community Response Team (CRT).
  
  1st Precinct 612-673-2880
  2nd Precinct 612-673-5782
  3rd Precinct 612-673-5706
  4th Precinct 612-673-5707
  5th Precinct 612-673-5716
  
• Boarded up properties that continue to be problematic
  Unfortunately, many persons inappropriately enter boarded properties. As a citizen, you can do the following things to address the issue.
  
  If it is criminal activity you are CURRENTLY observing, call 911. Otherwise, please check to see if there are notices or placards on the property. They may give an indication as to who should be called for problems.
  
  If there are no postings, then start with Housing Inspections. If it is not an Inspections property, call your crime prevention specialist. Many agencies and private individuals may be responsible for the boarding, including a local bank, the fire department, rental owner or Minneapolis Community Development Agency.
• Graffiti
  If you have had property "tagged" with graffiti, call the 311 (612-673-3000) or make an online graffiti report.