Violence within the urban core minneapolis and ST

This $237,285 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (CFDA 16.609) program supports comprehensive strategies to address violent crime in the urban core of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The grant will fund a range of activities over a three-year period, including targeted law enforcement operations, crime prevention initiatives, community engagement programs, and data-driven approaches to mitigate drivers of gun and gang violence. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, a state government entity, will serve as the primary awardee and pass-through a portion of the funding to local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and community organizations to deliver these services across the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Paul and surrounding suburbs continues to suffer from devasting violence: car jackings, gang warfare, automatic handguns, and armed robberies. Although the number of gunshots recorded in the city fell 29% in 2023, resulting in 129 fewer victims when compared to 2022, there were still over 6,486 gunshots detected on minneapolis streets. Homicides in minneapolis were up 160% and gunshot victims were up 57% in 2023 compared to 2019. Carjackings, which peaked in 2021, declined 42% from 2022 to 2023. Still, these decreases are not enough. Much of the violence plaguing the twin cities continues to be driven by gangs who are far more likely to use violence to establish reputation and territory. This violent crime crisis is occurring at the same time local police departments are facing a record shortage of officers. The minneapolis and ST. Paul police departments have a fraction of the sworn officers they did before may 2020. With overburdened local prosecutors and state courts, police and sheriffs continue to rely on an increased federal presence, which the united states attorney's office is committed to. The 2024 project safe neighborhoods strategy will directly address all these issues with a priority focus on prevention, intervention, enforcement, and reentry efforts within the urban core of the twin cities