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Crime in Minnesota encompasses a wide range of unlawful activities that occur within the state, regulated by both state and federal laws. While crime rates in Minnesota are generally below the national average, certain areas and types of crime have garnered public attention.
The historical development of crime in Minnesota has been influenced by various factors including immigration patterns, economic fluctuations, and social changes. During the early 20th century, organized crime, primarily related to prohibition, was a notable issue. Over the decades, the types and rates of crime have evolved.
During the Great Depression, Minnesota gained notoriety as a haven for gangsters. Among the most infamous were Ma Barker and her son Fred Barker, along with Alvin Karpis, who were part of the Barker-Karpis gang. They were responsible for a series of robberies, kidnappings, and murders. In 1933, they kidnapped William Hamm, a millionaire brewer, and secured a ransom for his release.
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Main article: Murder of Jacob Wetterling |
One of the most high-profile cases was the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling in 1989. Wetterling's disappearance remained unsolved for nearly 27 years, with his remains finally discovered in 2016. The case had a profound impact on Minnesota and the entire nation, leading to the establishment of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, requiring states to implement a sex offender and crimes against children registry.
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Further information: Timeline of race relations and policing in Minneapolis–Saint Paul and List of killings by law enforcement officers in Minnesota |
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In recent years, the Minneapolis Police Department has been at the center of national attention for instances of police brutality, most notably the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The incident sparked nationwide protests and led to an ongoing debate on police reform. The event prompted the Minneapolis City Council to consider dismantling the police department, a move that voters rejected in 2021.
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, Minnesota's crime rates have generally remained below the national average. However, fluctuations occur year-to-year, and some cities, such as Minneapolis and St. Paul, experience higher crime rates compared to other parts of the state.
In 1990, Minnesota reported a violent crime rate of 291 incidents per 100,000 residents. By 1994, this number peaked at 356 before stabilizing somewhat in the 2000s. However, the rate surged again to 311 by 2021.
Property crime in Minnesota has shown a more consistent trend of reduction. In 1990, the state had a property crime rate of 4,265 per 100,000 residents, which decreased to 2,078 by 2021. This decline is in line with national trends.
As of 2023, the overall crime rate in Minneapolis, the state's largest city, stands at approximately 5,713 crimes per 100,000 residents. This rate is approximately 138% higher than the state average and 143% higher than the national average.[1] While this number represents a decrease from the peak reached in 2021,[2] it still paints a picture of Minneapolis as a city with significantly higher crime rates than the average American city.[3][4][5]
Violent crime statistics present a particularly concerning aspect of the city's crime landscape.[6] Minneapolis's violent crime rate of 1,155 crimes per 100,000 residents is more than three times higher than the state average and nearly twice the national average.[7] This category includes offenses such as homicide, assault, robbery, and sexual assault. The homicide rate, while fluctuating year to year, remains persistently higher than the national average. While black Americans make up 18 percent of Minneapolis' population, they were 77 percent of the city's homicide victims in 2022.[1] In 2023, there were a total of 85 homicides, 303 carjackings, and 413 gunshot wound victims.[4][5]
Property crime accounts for roughly 80% of all reported offenses in Minneapolis. This includes burglaries, thefts, and motor vehicle thefts. Similar to violent crime, Minneapolis's property crime rate exceeds both the state and national averages. In 2023, there were 7,844 reported motor vehicle thefts reported, up significantly from the previous 3 year average.[4][5]
From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023, Minneapolis Police made a total of 151,018 stops. About 13% resulted in a citation and 9.6% resulted in a vehicle check. 39.1% of those checked were African American, 25.8% were white, 5.7% were East African, 4.6% were Latino, 3.3% were Native American, 1.8% Asian, 2.8% other, and 17.0% of stops did not report race.[8]
Violent crimes include offenses like homicide, assault, and robbery. Violent crimes have shown an increase in recent years. Aggravated assaults surged from 7,131 cases in 2009 to 10,967 in 2021. Murders also increased, albeit at a smaller volume, from 69 in 2009 to 201 in 2021.[1]
Property crimes such as burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft are more prevalent but generally less reported. Property crimes like burglary and larceny have mostly declined. Burglaries dropped from 25,165 in 2009 to 14,429 in 2021. Larcenies decreased from 103,695 in 2009 to 88,644 in 2021. However, motor vehicle theft has seen an increase, climbing from 8,379 cases in 2009 to 14,829 in 2021.[1]
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Further information: List of law enforcement agencies in Minnesota |
Law enforcement in Minnesota is a collaborative effort between local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and state agencies like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The state also collaborates with federal agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, for more complex investigations.
Minnesota's judicial system operates on a three-tier model, consisting of District Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and the Minnesota Supreme Court. The system is tasked with interpreting and applying the law in criminal cases.
Capital punishment is not used in Minnesota.[9]
Minnesota's prison system is managed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, overseeing several facilities across the state. In recent years, there has been a focus on reducing recidivism rates through various rehabilitative programs.[10]
As of June 2023,[update] the adult prison population in Minnesota stands at 8,274 individuals, the majority of whom are male (92.7%).[11][12] The racial composition is diverse, with concentrations of White (50.6%), Black (37.2%), and Native American (9.2%) inmates. When it comes to offenses, the top categories are homicide, criminal sexual conduct, and drug-related crimes, comprising a significant portion of the incarcerated population. Specifically, homicide accounts for 19.2% and criminal sexual conduct for 18.8%. The average age of inmates is approximately 39.6 years, with a significant number (1,526) aged 50 or older.[12]
In terms of educational background, the majority have a high school diploma (67.2%), and most are single (71.0%) by marital status. A plurality identify as Christians (44.2%).[12] During the fiscal year 2023, the prison system admitted 4,871 new individuals. Most admissions were new commitments (68.6%), followed by individuals returning without a new sentence (24.6%). Releases were mostly into supervised release or parole programs, constituting 78.4% of all releases. Among the facilities, Faribault and Stillwater are the largest, housing 23.6% and 14.3% of the population, respectively. [12]
Several crime prevention programs exist within Minnesota, targeting various aspects of criminal activity. Initiatives like neighborhood watch programs, educational campaigns, and drug treatment programs are aimed at reducing both violent and non-violent crimes.[13]
