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The Hennepin County Sheriff’s
Office is releasing statistics that provide an estimate of the county’s violent
crime in 2013. The statistics show that violent crime has decreased
countywide by 36% from year-end 2006 to 2013; one of the lowest levels in
two decades.
“Preventing crime by
leveraging partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, businesses, and
residents is key to ensuring Hennepin County remains a safe community.
Improving public safety is our number one priority, and by continuing to work
together, we are playing a vital role in combatting violent crime,” said
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.
Violent crime is defined as:
murder and manslaughter--non negligent, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated
assault. The definition is from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting
Program. From 2012 to 2013, there was an estimated 2% increase in violent
crime countywide. Despite the slight increase, last year’s overall violent
crime numbers continue to remain significantly low.
Sheriff Stanek credits
several areas of law enforcement with contributing to the effective fight
against violent crime including: partnerships and information sharing among law
enforcement agencies, and improved use of technology by law enforcement.
Examples from each category include:
On February 25, the Sheriff's Office and AT&T announced a partnership to help residents reduce cell phone theft. Sheriff Rich Stanek joined AT&T representatives in Minneapolis to announce the "Protect My Cell Phone" public
awareness campaign. Sheriff Stanek outlined steps phone owners can take to be aware of their surroundings and to protect themselves and their property. AT&T demonstrated apps available to protect consumer data.
For valuable tips, visit the HCSO website, www.hennepinsheriff.org.
The Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, and Shiloh Temple International Ministrites are teaming up to provide important training for parents.
What: Training for parents to help prevent drug & alcohol use among teens
When: March 18, 2014 from 6pm-8pm
Where: Shiloh Temple International Ministries (1201 West Broadway, Minneapolis)
Bring unwanted/expired medication for proper disposal & to reduce the risk of medicine abuse.
On February 16, Sheriff Stanek and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar were among a group
of leaders who participated in a roundtable discussion centered around heroin
use following a recent surge in heroin related deaths in Minnesota. In 2013, Hennepin County saw the highest
number of heroin-related deaths on record, totaling 56 heroin overdose deaths. The upward trend continues in 2014 with at
least four heroin overdose deaths during the month of January.
“We cannot arrest our
way out of this opiate epidemic. The
bottom line is that prescription drug abuse is a gateway to heroin and we need
to work together to address this issue head on.
Even one death as a result of heroin is too many,” said Sheriff Stanek.
During the meeting, Sheriff Stanek focused on
proactive prevention efforts including proper disposal of prescription
medication and proposed legislation introducing a heroin antidote. |
