Mpls. police to up downtown patrols

by Curtis Gilbert, Minnesota Public Radio

MINNEAPOLIS — Police will increase their presence in downtown Minneapolis this weekend in response to a spike in crime there.

Minneapolis Police Sgt. Stephen McCarty said the department is taking a number of measures.

"We're increasing patrols. We have some undercover officers. We have staff that's committed to monitoring surveillance in the area," McCarty said. "We're working with Hennepin County, who have adjusted their hours of patrols to cover the bar close rush."

Hennepin County will double the number of sheriffs deputies downtown and they'll patrol until 3 a.m. starting Friday night. Their shifts previously ended at 9 p.m.

Metro Transit police are also working extra hours downtown with the help of a federal Homeland Security grant.

In the first five months of this year, downtown Minneapolis has seen a 21 percent increase in aggravated assaults, which include shootings and stabbings, compared to the same period last year. The number of robberies has more than doubled.