Minneapolis Park Police Department Prepared by: Chief Jason Ohotto RecQuest Community Advisory Committee Meeting June 22, 2017 MPRB Video
Snapshot of Minneapolis Parks 251 park properties 6,804 acres 23 million annual visits 55 miles of parkway 49 full-service recreation centers 350 special events per year $101.7 million budget ($22.5 capital)
Serving since 1887
Why are there Park Police? Minneapolis City Charter provided for an independently elected Board of Park Commissioners to oversee park acquisition, development, maintenance, and programming within the City. Founders of Minneapolis recognized the value of parks and sought to protect them through this independently elected Board of Commissioners. Commissioners were given authority to employee and supervise Minneapolis Police Officers through the City Charter. Park Police Officers answer to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (instead of the City Council) and the Superintendent of Parks (instead of the Mayor).
What is at Stake? www.cbsnews.com/videos/despite-violent-24-hours-chicagogun-violence-decreasing
Today s Park Police Force Authorized strength of 35 sworn peace officers Director of Safety and Security (Chief) 2 Lieutenants 6 Patrol Sergeants & 2 Investigative Sergeants 15 25 Park Patrol Agents Mostly aspiring police officers/law enforcement students. Wear grey uniforms, limited ordinance enforcement, arrest powers the same as a citizen. Scores of Minneapolis Police Officers began as Park Patrol Agents.
Patrol Unit Patrol staff responded to 11,513 total calls for service 9,159 (80%) park calls for service 2468 offense reports written 2000 parkway traffic stops Patrol staff made more than 5,100 proactive stops at recreation centers All officers received Crisis Intervention Training and Implicit Bias Training
Investigative Unit 2114 cases were routed/reviewed by the Park Police Investigative Unit 655 cases (31%) had no leads for secondary investigation 338 cases (16%) were assigned for secondary investigation 750 cases (35%) closed by arrest
Park Police & MPD Park Police officers cover day-watch and mid-watch; MPD covers dog-watch park calls. Share nearly all support services (communications, property & evidence, etc.). Attend the same training, including MPD Academy, Range, and In-Service. MPD investigates most major crimes (Homicide, Sex Crimes, etc.) Park Police investigates most juvenile and property crimes. The nature of the relationship and the reality of policing in Minneapolis is that MPD frequently handles park calls and Park Police frequently handles city calls the service needs to be seamless.
Crime and Safety Issues in Parks Emotionally Disturbed and Suicidal Persons Drawn to the park system for several reasons; including: isolation, natural surroundings, proximity to water, etc. Homelessness Chemical/Substance Abuse Possessing or consuming alcohol in most parks is illegal. Gang Activity Parks are designed to engage youth. Neighborhoods with gang issues have parks with gang issues. Thefts from Motor Vehicles Average car break-in takes less than 1 minute. Most target credit cards to be used in frauds outside the city. Approximately 350 special events occur on park property yearly (Twin Cities Marathon, Pride, Aquatennial Fireworks).
Folwell Park 1615 Dowling Avenue North
Crime Trends City of Minneapolis Serious violent crime has been trending UP (15%) since 2012 Largest increases in violent crime: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (28% since 2013) Overall Part I crime is DOWN 5% since 2012 MPRB Serious violent crime is UP 1% compared to 2012 Overall Part I crime is DOWN 52% since 2012
Number of Crimes 4,800 Part I Violent Crime in Minneapolis 4,600 1.9% 4,400 2.2% 4,200 4,000 3,800 3,600 2.2% 97.8% 1.9% 2.5% 98.1% 97.1% 97.8% 98.1% 3,400 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 City Parks Part I Violent Crime is defined as: Homicide, Robbery, Rape, and Aggravated Assault Part I Violent Crime in Minneapolis City Parks All City Parks 2012 3,873 86 3,959 97.8% 2.2% 2013 4,016 78 4,094 98.1% 1.9% 2014 4,047 102 4,149 97.5% 2.5% Crime Trends 2015 4,376 99 4,458 98.2% 2.2% 2016 4,552 87 4,639 98.1% 1.9%
Questions and Discussion