1 month in, Minneapolis officials say "Operation Endeavor" showing results
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The city of Minneapolis claims its latest crime-fighting plan is working. Leaders touted new numbers Monday to show "Operation Endeavor" is making progress in the fight against violence, but said the work is far from over.
Operation Endeavor is a partnership between about a dozen local state and federal agencies. Some include the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, the United States Attorney's Office, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Minnesota State Patrol, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and others.
Safety leaders said they use three factors to determine where to send officers; reports of shootings, people hurt by gunfire, and carjackings. They said the numbers in all those areas are down from this time last year, with gun-related calls down 30%, shooting victims down 29% and carjackings down 65%.
The operation is the first initiative led by the newly formed Office of Community Safety. Commissioner Cedric Alexander said the operation uses data to best deploy resources across the city on any given day.
RELATED: Operation Endeavor showing promising early results, helping to drive down crime
"There is no particular part of the city that is being over treated. Everybody is receiving the same level of resources as we move them around the city and we've been very intentional about that," Alexander said.
"What we can tell you based on the data you have before you is that operation endeavor is working," Mayor Jacob Frey said.
A Hennepin County attorney is embedded with the operation, improving communication between agencies, County Attorney Mike Freedman said.
"What we find unfortunately is the same people commit the crime over and over again. Well we are starting to hone down on those folks, and project 'Endeavor' is helping bring resources there," he said.
Of the 59 cases brought forward during the first 28 days of the operation, 46 people were charged. The operation also focuses on crime prevention with the help of various community groups working shifts in neighborhoods where it's needed.
"We are going to continue to put our best foot forward and create the necessary synergy as we are always moving around to try to bring peace to the neighborhoods," Rev. Jerry McAfee said.
They said they've stopped overdoses and given employment and housing resources to more than 100 people during the first month.
Law enforcement said it also confiscated large qualities of cash, guns and fentanyl pills.
Read the public report:
Mpls officials tout 1-month results from "Operation Endeavor"
Mpls. officials see drop in violent crime
News conference underway
Operation Endeavor showing promising early results (Oct. 13)
Three weeks into Operation Endeavor, community members and Minneapolis police say they are noticing an impact on crime.
Since the special detail began, there have been fewer shot spotter activations and fewer rounds of gunfire in Minneapolis.
Officers say they are seizing more guns and drugs, and some of the area's most violent criminals are now behind bars.
Mayor Frey, Dr. Cedric Alexander launch "Operation Endeavor" to reduce crime in Minneapolis (Sept. 22)
Called "Operation Endeavor," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said it a comprehensive approach to public safety and it will coordinate city services - from police to prosecutors to violence prevention groups - and crack down on crime.
Using data, these services will be deployed strategically throughout the city.
Beginning with downtown, "the ripple effects will be felt city-wide," Cedric Alexander said at a press conference in September. He was flanked by Frey, Minnesota's Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, Minneapolis Police Commander Jason Case, and Jennifer White from the Office of Violence Prevention, among others.
He emphasized that the coordination wouldn't result in the displacement of officers - rather, it would better leverage internal resources, like the violence interruptor program. But he also acknowledged the staffing issues that have plagued Minneapolis police over the last few years, and Frey added that they'd launched a $1-to-1.2 million campaign to recruit more officers.
The program will also coordinate investigations with Freeman's office, and has embedded a specific prosecutor - who is a former police officer - to work with MPD.
Downtown will see more foot beats and bike patrols to combat the increased crime in the area. But Alexander stressed that the data will lead the way and allow for flexibility in allocating resources to different areas across the city.
