Pictures of public safety employees.
August 2022

 

Crime Prevention & Safety Tips with Nick Juarez

This has been a very busy summer for DPS’s Community Engagement Team.  One of the big projects that the team has been working on is safety off campus in the Dinkytown and Greek Row areas.  

After recent events along Greek row and in the Dinkytown area parents have called for more resources and action to battle the recent crime patterns.  These events have brought many discussions about jurisdiction, staffing issues, collaborations with other Law Enforcement Agencies, partnerships with businesses and off campus housing management companies in the affected areas and an opportunity to discuss ideas outside the box of traditional crime prevention.

By working with the Dinkytown Business Alliance, the off-campus housing community, the City of Minneapolis (Public works, City Council, Police) and the University of Minnesota we have implemented some common practices of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

Physical Security and Surveillance:  the use of portable light trailers to light up dark areas and portable cameras to increase eyes on the street

  • Partnerships with the Department of Public Safety and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will put 2 x Sheriff Deputies in the area this fall to increase the visual presence of uniformed Law Enforcement personnel.

Surveillance: opening the streets creates open lines of sight and creates a warm welcoming environment which increase people’s awareness and reinforces the perception of safety

Movement Control:  by controlling access points into the neighborhood, we control movement and escape routes which allows us to more effectively place limited resources in specific areas

  • Traffic calming measures helps created a safe area (barricades and proposed speed bumps)
  • Pedestrian friendly areas also create a sense of safety (this is a trend the City of Minneapolis is moving towards)

Management and Maintenance:   maintaining the area by removing graffiti, repairing lights, repairing and improving the aesthetics of the business district and removing trash creates a warm and welcoming environment

  • Through ongoing discussions with the Dinkytown Business Alliance, The University District Alliance and the off campus housing management community there will be amore unified effort to increase the livability and safety of the Dinkytown area

Community Crime with Courtney

Crimes related to vehicles (Auto theft, Theft from Motor Vehicle, etc.) continue throughout the Twin Cities Metro. Areas on the St. Paul campus have been frequent targets: CSCC and CTC. This area has seen a significant amount of Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts reports, particularly Catalytic Converter Thefts. There have been focused patrols in the area to deter crime. 

Map of on campus vehicle crimes in 2022