More than 40 agencies agree to a joint plan to address gang violence in Minnesota

More than 40 local, state and federal agencies have agreed to a plan to address recent gang-related violence in Minnesota, according to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The agencies will work through Minnesota's Crime Gun Intelligence Center to better coordinate their efforts.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Center, according to state officials, is a "data-driven policing approach" led by the BCA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI. The center will provide direction and information sharing for gang-related investigations by the participating agencies, which include dozens of police departments and sheriff's offices across the Twin Cities and several outside the metro.

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said at a news conference Monday that the center, which now meets every two weeks, will begin meeting weekly so agencies can pursue groups that commit violence "collectively across the board."

Evans added that several law enforcement agencies that met with the BCA last week agreed that Somali-American gang and group violence is a problem and that the Somali community is not the problem.

"The actions of individuals do not define an entire community," Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said.

The plan includes a partnership with the ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which connects firearms evidence with crime incidents, according to state officials. It also involves "county-based quick reaction teams" that will be deployed when criminal activity occurs.

"Our intent is to build strong criminal cases, disrupt cycles of retaliation and, ultimately, prevent the next shooting," Joe Persails, special agent in charge with the ATF, said.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Dotson said the agency brings "enterprise-level investigations, national intelligence resources and federal statutes" to dismantle violent groups.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said Monday there are 13 Somali gangs involving roughly 300 kids in the metro.

"What Drew's trying to do here is tie the dots together, and we need to do that," Fletcher said. "We need to share information because not everybody shares on a regular basis."

When it comes to gang members interacting online, Fletcher said there has been less taunting on social media and believes increased attention from adults may be having an impact.

"They're smart enough to know that if adults are serious about catching us, maybe we need to change tactics," Fletcher said.

Evans said that if gang-related violence is a "persistent or maintained issue going forward," state law enforcement will consider creating a new task force.

The renewed push to address gang violence comes after recent shootings in Bloomington and outside Eden Prairie High School's homecoming game earlier this month.

"This is the time, right now, where we're going to get in front of this," Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said.