Hennepin Co. violent crime down

A decrease in Hennepin County violent crimes over the past five years has continued, with the rate decreasing by 38 percent from 2006 to 2011.

For the fifth consecutive year, fewer violent crimes were committed in Hennepin County – with a 6 percent decrease from 2010 to 2011. 

“This is a remarkable achievement for the residents of Hennepin County,” Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said in a statement. “I believe the hard work and innovation of the Sherriff’s Office in partnership with all local law enforcement agencies contributed significantly to making communities safer.”

Despite the overall crime rate going up by 4 percent, violent crime – which includes murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – took another drop in 2011.

Robberies saw the largest decline in Hennepin County, with more than 3,500 reported in 2006 and just fewer than 2,000 reported in 2011.

Aggravated assault witnessed a similar dip – 3,500 reported five years ago and 2,500 incidents reported in 2011.

For a metropolitan area once known as “Murderapolis,” Hennepin County has done its part in curbing that stigma, with a 35 percent decline in murders since 2006.

Stanek cites three main factors in the reduction: improved use of technology, further criminal information sharing and analysis as well as collaboration between law enforcement agencies.