Following overnight shootings, city leaders, law enforcement announce plan to curb downtown violence

Minneapolis city and law enforcement leaders announced plans on Monday to add more police officers and expand the city’s youth intervention program, in an effort to reach the relatively small percentage of young people they say are responsible for the majority of the violence.

The announcement came a few hours after a pair of early-morning shootings Monday in the downtown Minneapolis Warehouse District that police say left six people wounded.

The shootings occurred between about 1:13 and 1:30 a.m., police said.

“Gun violence anywhere in this city is unacceptable and I am sick of it,” Mayor Betsy Hodges said at an afternoon news conference at First Precinct headquarters downtown. She said that if passed, her 2017 budget would increase the department’s authorized strength by 15 officers next year…

… “Investigators believe that both shootings are gang-related,” Michal said. “Officers continue to look at footage from cameras in the area to try to determine who else is involved. They will also be canvassing in the area in the coming days talking with business owners.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to text their tip in to 847411 (TIP411). Enter MPD, a space, and then the information. These text messages are assigned a tip number and the police department has no way of identifying the source of the information. All texts are anonymous. People may also call the MPD TIP Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).

Read the full story from the Star Tribune.

Anonymous Tip System Giving MPD Crime-Fighting Boost

It doesn’t matter if its late night, early morning or during business hours — violent crime is invading Minneapolis neighborhoods at an alarming rate.

“We need the community’s help to solve these serious crimes that are taking place,” said Minneapolis Police Cmdr. Scott Gerlicher.

Minneapolis police are reminding people how they can help, anonymously, by using their cellphone as a crime-fighting tool.

If you have information about a crime, you can either text 847411 or download MPD Tip on your smartphone to leave an anonymous tip for police.

“They all get triaged here, so we look at every single tip that comes in and we decide who would be best to handle the follow up on this,” Lt. Jeff Rugel said.

He says the system is set up so officers have no idea who is calling.

Read the full story from CBS Minnesota