 Interview on crime decline with Chief O'Hara
Crime in Minneapolis has dropped significantly across several categories to begin 2025, with Mayor Jacob Frey, Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, and Police Chief Brian O’Hara applauding the efforts of the growing Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and an expanded public-safety network. Year-to-date, crime is down across most major categories, including notable reductions in robberies, carjackings, and auto thefts.
Key year-to-date reductions in crime include:
- A 47% reduction in robberies.
- A 40% reduction in carjackings.
- A 32% reduction in gunshot wound victims.
- A 24% reduction in auto thefts.
- An 11% reduction in aggravated assaults.
Minneapolis has also seen year-to-date decreases in burglaries (9.5%), vandalism (8.1%), negligent homicide (40%), larceny and theft (6.2%), stolen property (8.1%), weapon law violations (15.4%), and shots fired calls (18.1%).
“When our streets are safe, everything else gets better—kids can focus on school, businesses thrive, and families feel secure in their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Frey. “Thanks to the leadership of Chief O’Hara, Commissioner Barnette, and the dedicated officers of the MPD, we are seeing real progress in driving down crime. But the work isn’t done, and we’re not letting up—we will keep pushing forward to make Minneapolis the safest city it can be.”
The drop in crime is attributed to targeted MPD initiatives, ongoing violence prevention efforts, and successful recruitment of additional officers to the force.
 This week, Mayor Jacob Frey announced his priorities for 2025, laying out a progressive agenda that will drive the City's policy and budget decisions. The priorities build on the work already underway and focus on key areas that will shape Minneapolis’ future: building out a comprehensive safety ecosystem, expanding affordable housing, creating economic opportunities, advancing climate action, and ensuring good governance.
These priorities aren’t just about policy—they reflect a commitment to building a Minneapolis that’s stronger, more equitable, and more sustainable for everyone.
Priorities include:
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Community Safety and Police Reform: Build on police recruitment and expand community safety services while ensuring equitable law enforcement and supporting substance use recovery efforts.
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Affordable Housing and Homelessness Response: Increase affordable housing options, reduce homelessness, and support programs like Stable Homes, Stable Schools to assist families.
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Economic Inclusion & Recovery: Support BIPOC entrepreneurs, advance major development projects, and revitalize downtown Minneapolis.
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Climate Action: Focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding green jobs, and enhancing the urban tree canopy.
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Good Governance: Improve public services, diversify revenue streams, and use data-driven decisions to ensure equitable outcomes.
 Interview with WCCO on Biochar
Minneapolis is making history as the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar facility. By producing its own biochar, the city is further reinforcing its commitment to building a lasting climate legacy.
Biochar is a specialized form of charcoal created by heating wood waste to 700 degrees in a low-oxygen environment, effectively removing carbon from the atmosphere. Xcel Energy has recently signed an agreement with the city to supply wood waste for biochar production at the facility.
"Minneapolis is at the forefront of biochar production, and partnerships like this are crucial to our mission of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "Collaborating with Xcel to repurpose tree trimming and vegetation into biochar not only strengthens our sustainability efforts but also accelerates our progress toward a greener future. Building a climate-resilient future requires all of us, and we’re proud to work alongside dedicated partners in this effort."
The Minneapolis biochar facility, located at 670 25th Ave. SE, will have the capacity to process thousands of tons of wood waste annually, producing biochar and removing 3,700 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—equivalent to taking over 789 cars off the road. Construction is expected to begin this spring.
 StoryCorps Event
The City of Minneapolis is proud to launch "Minneapolis Your Story,” a partnership with independent non-profit StoryCorps Studios that will create an archive of community-centered stories focused on racial healing. The initiative aims to move the Minneapolis community toward a future grounded in racial equity and justice by harnessing the power of conversations to heal racial divisions.
"Change begins with a conversation. When we listen to one another and hear our shared stories, we find the common ground that connects us all," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "Our city’s path to healing is ongoing and StoryCorps is part of that arch to our story.”
Through May, people will be able to record their perspectives in their own words and archive them as part of this special partnership. The community archive will include stories about the history of racial discrimination and injustice in Minneapolis, George Floyd’s murder, the civil unrest that followed, and the ongoing efforts to reform the Minneapolis Police Department.
Learn more online.
 This week, the mayor recorded a message to the LGBTQ community, reaffirming that Minneapolis is a safe and welcoming city for all.
"At a time when the president is attacking our LGBTQ community and trying to peel away their rights, I want to make one thing clear: Minneapolis is and will remain a safe and welcoming place.
Intolerance and hate – they're not just unacceptable. They’re incompatible with who we are as a city and incompatible to what defines our people.
Everyone deserves safety, support, and celebration—no matter how they identify or who they love.
That’s why, in 2022, I issued an executive order declaring Minneapolis a safe haven for trans people. That commitment stands, no matter who’s in the White House.
I know these times are challenging, but I promise you: in Minneapolis, our dedication to the safety of our LGBTQ community is stronger than ever.
We will continue to work alongside local organizations, advocates, and neighbors to ensure Minneapolis is a place that everyone is proud to call home.
And to our LGBTQ community: we love you and Minneapolis stands with you—today, tomorrow, and always."
 Doors Open 2024
Save the Date! Doors Open Minneapolis is back on May 17 and 18. Doors Open is a unique, free event offering behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most iconic and hidden buildings, from historic landmarks to modern architectural gems. It's a celebration of all things Minneapolis, where visitors can learn from building owners, community leaders, and guides about the spaces that shape our city.
Sign up to be a volunteer or open your doors as one of this year's sites!
The 57th annual Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade is returning home to Nicollet Mall next week! Events supporting the parade include the crowning of Ms. Blarney 2025, a meat raffle at the Northeast VFW, a pre-parade bar crawl, and a post-parade Blarney Bash.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on March 17 at 6th St. and Nicollet Mall and ends at 12th St. and Nicollet Mall.
 The 2025 Celebrating the Sistas Event
 Mayor Frey gives "Sister City" students from Ibaraki City, Japan, a tour of City Hall
 The grand opening of the Royalston Square in the North Loop
 Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce event
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