Minneapolis crime - It's a Quagmire!

We've posted incessantly about the Minneapolis/Uptown crime wave, trying to get the word out. The situation appears to have achieved some kind of critical mass, wherein even the MSM cannot ignore the Minneapolis Quagmire. Lo and behold, the Red Star checks in today: "Minneapolis robberies are up 21% over 2004".

Robberies in Minneapolis are on pace to reach their highest peak since 1997, according to the Police Department's robbery unit. Citywide, robberies are up 21 percent this year from the same time in 2004, police said. According to data released this week, there have been 2,462 robberies this year, compared with 2,038 at the same time last year.

The police are searching for answers:

Police said it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what's causing the increase, although Fossum attributed it partly to the simultaneous decrease in the number of officers.

Rambix has the answer: out-of-state scumbags have moved in, and have brought their criminal lifestyles with them.

Third Precinct Inspector Scott Gerlicher said there is a "roving group of young thugs" in his precinct in south Minneapolis who strike as a victim is nearing home.

Last week, there were three cases in that precinct in which a sawed-off shotgun was displayed; one victim was shot, but the injuries are not life-threatening, he said, adding that most victims are not harmed during the robbery.

A sawed-off shotgun is serious business. Let's destroy these animals, shan't we?

The story is spreading through responsible bloggers and media:

KSTP 5 Eyewitness News: "Minneapolis robberies could hit 10-year high".

Businesses are the targets in about one-third of the robberies, and those nearly always involve the use of a weapon, Fossum said. About two-thirds of robberies of individuals involve the brandishing of or threatening with a weapon or the use of physical force, including punching and kicking the victims, he said.

Charges related to the robberies have reached a record high. So far, charges have been filed in more than 300 robberies, most of them involving two to four defendants each, Fossum said.

Kennedy vs. The Machine: "Robberies Skyrocket in Amy's Minneapolis".

Amy Klobuchar: A law and order liberal — without the law and order.

People's Republic of Minnesota: "Crime and (no) Punishment".

Today's Strib includes this story about soaring robbery rates in Minneapolis where incidents are up a full 21% over 2004. Anyone who has spent any time walking around downtown Minneapolis knows that it has become increasingly more uncomfortable for the average citizen to feel safe as many of the street corners are full of hoodlums free to harass and intimidate pedestrians at will.

WCCO Channel 4 News: "Robberies nearing record high in Minneapolis".

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The number of robberies in Minnesota's largest city is on the rise and could equal a peak of eight years ago, according to police department statistics.

Robberies are up 21 percent this year from the same time in 2004. According to data released this week, there have been 2,462 robberies this year, compared with 2,038 at the same time last year.

Lt. Michael Fossum, the robbery unit commander, said the number of robberies will probably approach or exceed 3,000 by year's end; the last time they hit that mark was 1997, with 3,326. Robberies steadily declined after 1995, when there were 3,577. The numbers began to climb again in 2003.