Over the last year, violent crime numbers have risen significantly across the country and Minneapolis has felt the brunt of the rise with 75 homicides so far this year. However, some officials think that Downtown Minneapolis is starting to make a comeback.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson joined News Talk 830 WCCO's Henry Lake to talk about the city and what is going on.
"[Downtown Minneapolis] is coming back. There are some issues that need to be tended to like what happened a few nights ago where that lady was ran over, that stuff is unfortunately far too common," Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said that these crimes continue to happen in the city because there is not enough accountability with so few officers working right now.
Related
Over the last year, the Minneapolis Police Department has lost 300 officers, the Star Tribune reported. While the department employed 888 officers last year, it now only employs 588.
"We just gotta get out there and treat people with respect but make sure we still obey the law and enforce the law," Hutchinson said. "Other stuff can be accomplished by doing it respectfully."
When it comes to the increase in violent crime in the city, Hutchinson pointed out that the issue is everywhere, with homicides being up close to 25%.
With many trying to figure out why there has been an increase in violent crime, Hutchinson thinks that the pandemic is playing a part, but other factors are also in the mix.
"People were scared of the unrest; people were upset with what happened to Mr. Floyd. All of these variables, I think, affected the whole nation," Hutching said. "We have to achieve better, we have to evolve in this profession, this profession needs work, and we'll admit that."
Related
Hutchinson said that one reason why so many shootings are happening is that people aren't being held accountable. When it comes to accountability, he thinks it should apply to everyone.
"If cops do stupid things, they should be punished just like everyone else," Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said that those committing crimes are thinking, "it's like the wild wild west because there's not enough cops." He went on to say that sometimes those who do get arrested aren't prosecuted.
With continued efforts to return more officers to the workforce, Hutchinson sees the city's problems being resolved. But still, he knows that everyone needs to come together to stop crime.
"What we need to do is come together and fix this as a society; this is not just a police issue," Hutchinson said.
