Break-in busted up!

BY ZAC HILLS-BONCZYK

By early November 2008 the entire 3rd Precinct had experienced a boom in episodes of breaking and entering. The Minneapolis Police Department picked up more than eight suspects in the third precinct for home burglaries in October. More recently, the police issued a crime alert bulletin to inform people of the Powderhorn neighborhood that an occupied home burglary was attempted by a group of three suspects on Feb. 8, around 8:30 p.m. A homeowner opened his door to speak with a female after being told that she’d been in a car accident and needed assistance.

A man with a handgun then stepped out from behind the woman in an attempt to enter the house where the homeowner’s family was eating dinner. Fortunately, he managed to push the armed man out of the doorway and down the stairs, without allowing either the other male suspect, or the female suspect to enter his household. He then quickly entered his home to call 911. This event took place on the 3700 block of 13th Avenue.

The Minneapolis Police Department advises to stay alert when responding to
the doorbell, and to make sure you know who it is before opening the door.
Also, keep doors locked at all times, even when you are at home. It is also
advised that you be conscious of your surroundings, and don’t hesitate to phone 911 at the sight of any suspicious activity or strangers loitering in the area. Leave at least one outdoor light on at night. It is also recommended to keep track of serial numbers and descriptions of your personal items such as bikes, TVs, electronics, or any other valuables. The Police Department even suggests that you cover your garage window with opaque material so individuals with criminal intentions cannot see what is inside.

Also remember to keep your garage doors and windows locked and secured, especially if your garage is attached to your home, as entrance to your garage may mean entrance to your house.

In general, however, January 2009 saw a hefty drop in crime compared to December 2008, especially in the East Phillips neighborhood. This is to be expected after the holiday craze, but that doesn’t explain the large drop in crime between the third and fourth quarters of last year.

Yet, our neighborhoods are by no means the safest in the city. Twenty-six violent and non-violent crimes were reported in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood throughout January. This is not a large improvement over last year’s rates. Six of these were classified as robberies and six were burglaries.

There were three aggravated assaults as well as a single rape. Just last week another rape was committed just off 22nd Street & Portland Avenue, a grim
reminder to be careful when you leave the house, especially when going out alone after dark.

Powderhorn and Phillips neighborhoods, especially the western side near Chicago and Park Avenue, as well a line that runs along the Hiawatha Light
Rail, are areas of the 3rd Precinct that experience the highest rate of violent crimes. So far in 2009, the majority of violent crimes in these areas were person-to-person robberies. Between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, five of these robberies took place in Powderhorn and the surrounding neighborhoods. There has been a concerning increase in rape, especially along Hiawatha. Between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, two rapes were reported within a three-block radius of the light rail’s route between 36th Street and Franklin.

Though the Hiawatha Line is one of the most convenient and environmentally friendly features of our city, please remember to exercise caution when riding, especially when riding alone, and especially after dark. In fact, it’s probably best not to ride the light rail at all if you’re alone and the sun has set already. Light rail passengers are a target for crimes such as person-to-person robbery and aggravated assault.