Crime in the Biggish City

Since the beginning of 2021, the non-profit that owns the 62+ community where I live (and work) has had to spend tens of thousands of dollars on upgrading security. There has been a wave of opportunistic property crime in my neighborhood since the George Floyd murder in the Summer of 2020. Residents of Minneapolis (pop. 420,324) saw months of peaceful protests. In our NE neighborhood, protests were frequent, as the police union building is just down the street. At one point last Summer, the sound of National Guard helicopters flying over our building and the implementations of curfews were a necessary constant.

Whomever coined the phrase “Defund the Police” (I believe a MSPS city council person was responsible) did a major injustice to everyone, offering up a catch phrase that Republicans used to further their narrative that Democrats are soft on crime and anti-police. Of course, the whole topic is much more nuanced than the catchphrase and it's not true; but, it worked. I want substantial police reform, but I definitely don’t agree with “defunding the police”. 

What all of this did lead to was 1/3 of Minneapolis’ police force taking medical leaves of absence (often for PTSD); droves of officers taking early retirement or quitting the force altogether. I don’t blame them. Officer Derek Chauvin’s cruel and brutal actions shredded the very fabric of our society and damaged the reputation of all law enforcement professionals. Add in the droves of homeless and addicted behind much of the crime wave and the problem is almost unsolvable.

One of the consequences of this reduction in police numbers has been an explosion in property crime: vandalism, burglary and theft in Minneapolis. As has been well-documented, the city is experiencing an uptick in gun violence; the number of shooting deaths is staggering, many of them children caught in the crossfire of gang activity. 

On a personal level, there have been three break-ins in our “secure” building since the beginning of the year. The criminals stole bikes, smashed in car windows and stole items from cars; the perpetrators were captured on multiple cameras. The police have been unable to capture any of the five people responsible. One young blonde man attempted to break in 8 times, even ripping the fob from a door, before he was successful. Each time my manager quickly moved to inform residents of the break-ins, filed police reports; locks were repaired and upgraded; it’s been a battle to stay ahead of the criminals. None of the criminals made it beyond the lobby and garage. I applaud my manager’s efforts, but it’s unsettling. Do I feel personally threatened? No. But, I worry for the safety of my neighbors.

One of the main focuses of criminals has been stealing cadalytic convertors from vehicles; employees of the nursing home and assisted living faciity across the street have had their cars targeted repeatedly. Last week, the apartment building diagonally across the street had their postal access box ripped from the wall of their entry; the fob inside was used to access the building; one resident’s car was stolen and others damaged. I am really wary of what will happen here over the Juy 4th holiday. One of our previous break-in’s was at 3am on New Year’s Day and one of the attempts on Easter Sunday at 1am.

The noise level around my building has escalated dramatically. If it’s not bikers gunning their engines and playing loud music that reverberates throughout the building, it’s drag racing on the main thoroughfares where we are located or the sound of trash and recycling trucks waking up residents at 6am. The jarring noise of fire engine sirens and ambulances is ongoing. (My heart races immediately and I’m thinking please don’t stop here!!)

So, what is the point of my rambling on about crime and noise? As I no longer require an urban environment for my career, I’m contemplating a move to the suburbs, to a small town, or out of state. I love my building and the people in it, but I yearn for a space where I can once again enjoy peace and quiet and avoid the anxiety caused by crime in the biggish city.