Minneapolis Crime Numbers Drop, But Police Feel the Strain

Minneapolis is seeing fewer crimes, but the police are struggling. The city's police chief, Brian O'Hara, said that in the last seven weeks, there have been fewer shootings and fewer people hurt by guns. In fact, there were 20 gunshot victims during this time, which is way less than in past years. The police also took 74 illegal guns off the streets and made 26 arrests related to guns. But it's not all good news. The police are working with fewer officers than they used to. They are about 300 officers short of their peak numbers. This means officers are working longer hours and have had to cancel their days off. Despite this, they have made 849 arrests in total. These arrests include things like domestic violence, robberies, and drug-related crimes.The police also seized a lot of drugs, including 130 grams of fentanyl, which is a very dangerous drug. They did this during a search warrant tied to a narcotics investigation. The police say this is just a small example of the work they do every day to keep the city safe. So, while the numbers are looking better, the police are facing some big challenges. They are doing their best to keep the city safe, but they need more help. It's important to remember that crime reduction is a complex issue. It's not just about the numbers. It's about the people behind those numbers and the work that goes into keeping them safe.