MPLS crime: still down for 2025

Our own David Zimmer first noticed the phenomenon over a month ago: Crime rates in the state’s largest city, in every single category, are down from 2024 levels, year to date.

Data are current through April 24 and come from the Minneapolis crime dashboard, available here. In only one category, vandalism (Teslas?), is the rate up over the three-year average. It should go without saying that justifiable homicide is not, strictly speaking, a crime.

The Minnesota Star Tribune notes the recent progress made in perhaps the most important category under the headline:

Minneapolis records longest period without a homicide in more than 8 years

Amazingly:

Minneapolis went 62 days without a homicide — starting Feb. 15 and ending the night of April 18, when a man in his 20s was shot near the intersection of 5th Avenue S. and 9th [Street] S in downtown Minneapolis. He died from his injuries on Thursday and has not been publicly identified. It was one of the longest gaps between homicides in recent history.

Of course, “no arrests have been made” in the case. Still, the trend has been a most welcome one. But how to account for it?

For one, the Feds have been aggressively pursuing Minneapolis gangs. The City has clamped down on homeless encampments. The City maintains a separate dashboard on the topic.

Perhaps the changed tone resulting from the changed administration in Washington has helped. Whatever the reason(s), fingers crossed that it continues into the summer.