Fireworks fly hours before the first day of classes at the University of Minnesota
Minneapolis police responded to reports of damage to property Sunday night, only to find more than 500 people on foot and in cars, not far from the University of Minnesota in the Dinkytown district.
Officers quickly set up a traffic control plan and other agencies rushed in to help disperse the massive crowd. Officials say the large groups of people and vehicles were dispersed from the area without further incident.
Social media video shows people running, screaming and hopping over a fence as a firework is seen exploding near people outside Dinkytown's Frank and Andrea Pizza.
"Frustrating because I feel like it's been happening quite a bit," said U senior Elliana Jouppi.
Jouppi said she's seen firsthand a rise in recklessness and risk in the area.
"A lot of us respect this university and really care about it," she said. "Don't think it's campus students. Random people coming here to cause trouble."
This is not the first time fireworks flew near campus. Last summer, mayhem on the Fourth of July rattled Dinkytown. Prosecutors charged 20 people with serious felonies for allegedly shooting fireworks at people, cars and police officers in the district.
Not long after, the U's department of public safety took action, transforming the former Kitty Cat Klub into a safety hub.
Yet, Jouppi says the problems persist.
"I think there should be heavier police presence, more enforcement," she said.
The University of Minnesota Police Department did not respond to WCCO's request for an interview.