Minneapolis, MN
Dinkytown crime rate has improved over the last few months
MINNEAPOLIS — After concerns over crime in the area near the University of Minnesota campus in recent years, new data is showing improvement the last few months.
From the start of the school year through December, data from Minneapolis Police shows a 49 percent decrease in reported crimes in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, which includes Dinkytown.
The drop has come in conjunction with the opening of UMN’s off-campus safety center, as well as the colder temperatures of winter.
Feelings of safety in Dinkytown hit a low point last summer when 20 people were arrested for shooting fireworks at cars, bystanders and police.
Now, students and recent alums tell WCCO they’re feeling more comfortable in the area.
“I’m a freshman, so I felt pretty safe honestly,” said Femi Abodunrin. “At the beginning of the year there were definitely a bit more crime alerts but since then, it’s gone down.”
Mathew Krelitz graduated last year.
“I think it probably has gotten safer,” he said. “When I did attend, I did witness some crimes on this block [near campus]. I spend the weekends here and I haven’t noticed that.”
MPD data shows the number of reported crimes in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood was 144 in September, then decreased to 133 in October, 81 in November and 73 in December.
September is when UMN opened its Dinkytown safety center for both police and students.
“This will reduce opportunities for some of the crimes we’ve seen that happen, but it will also give us a foothold in Dinkytown to start building stronger partnerships that we already have,” Nick Juarez with UMN’s Department of Public Safety said in August.
“When it’s later at night there’s definitely a few police cars that I see around, and I think it does make a difference,” Abodunrin said.
She knows it’s still important to be mindful and protect herself.
“If I have something that could be used as a weapon like a water bottle, I make sure I have it handy, or if it’s later at night, I just walk around with friends and not by myself,” Abodunrin said.
A spokesperson with UMN shared this statement:
“Though there are many ways to define safety in our community, any positive statistical trends are a positive indicator of strong community safety efforts. Working in close partnership with the Minneapolis Police Department, the University and our Department of Public Safety have invested more in public safety in the Dinkytown area than ever before. These investments have included UMPD’s mutual aid expansion, creating the Dinkytown Alert notification system, and funding additional overtime shifts for UMPD officers to conduct visible patrols throughout the area. The Off-Campus Safety Center expanded on these previous investments. It’s become an accessible resource for University students, faculty and staff, as well as those working or socializing in Dinkytown. We look forward to continuing these programs in Dinkytown, and working closely with MPD, to keep our community safe.”
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.
A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand
What we know:
HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music.
“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon.
Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.
The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.”
He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment.
“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.
The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene.
Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”
Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub
Why you should care:
Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted.
Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too.
“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.
His goal is simple:
“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford.
He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”
The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going.
“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.
HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A deadly shooting in Edina sparked a massive police response and forced a lockdown at nearby businesses at Southdale Mall on Wednesday as police are searching for the suspects.
Deadly Edina shooting
What we know:
Edina police responded around 12:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting along West 66th Street near Southdale Mall.
At the scene, officers found one victim with a gunshot wound. Officers tried to revive the victim but say they ultimately died from their wounds.
Local perspective:
Police say the suspects ran from the scene. As a precaution, they advised nearby businesses to go into lockdown. FOX 9 learned that MHealth Fairview also went into lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Aerial video from the scene showed the investigation appeared to be focused around an apartment building across from the mall. Police say the apartment building is described as a transitional housing.
Avoid the area
Big picture view:
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation is underway. Officers have blocked off West 66th for the time being.
Police say they are looking for more than one suspect involved in the shooting.
What we don’t know:
Police say some people were taken into custody at the scene but it’s unclear what their role was in relation to the shooting.
Law enforcement near the 3300 block of W. 66th Street in Edina. (FOX 9)
Minneapolis, MN
Ellison, Minneapolis, St. Paul update lawsuit against Operation Metro Surge with new data
(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis and Saint Paul updated their lawsuit over Operation Metro Surge with new survey data on economic harm.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted two surveys tied to the amended lawsuit. The lawsuit says the federal operation violated the Constitution and caused lasting economic damage.
The first survey was done between February and March and included nearly 1,400 residents. It found workers lost more than $240 million in wages during the operation.
A separate newly released survey of about 900 businesses found more than $600 million in lost revenue. The updated lawsuit from Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul adds that new data to its claims.
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