In a city once dubbed 'Murderapolis,' there is a crime trend of a different kind—crime is down in the city.

The city is planning to discuss what they call a historic drop in crimes on Thursday, but 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS got the numbers Tuesday.

The most eye opening statistic: Only six homicides so far in 2009. It's the lowest murder rate in the first half of the year since the Minneapolis Lakers played at the Armory back in the 1940's.

Police and residents are just hoping it stays that way. The sound blaring sirens in north Minneapolis are replaced kids playing, and families gather where gangs used to.

"Normally my children wouldn't like coming to the park over here cause of the crime," said resident Taijuana Robinson. "But now I feel comfortable to come over here to walk my family."

Both property and violent crime are down dramatically, including homicides. The first half of the year since 2005, murder cases plummeted from 29 to just six so far this year—nearly an 80 percent drop.

"No one seems to have an answer for it. It just is and we should be grateful for it," said Neil Melton with the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. "As the economy suffers crime will go up, well this is just the opposite of that. In fact, it's dramatically the opposite."

Police credit investigators, prosecutors, better tracking of gang activity before crimes, and the relationship with the community.

"We want the residents of Minneapolis to feel safe, to be able to go out at night, and to go for a walk enjoy their time. We want the criminals to be the ones to feel uncomfortable," explained Minneapolis Police Sgt. Jesse Garcia.

Police and Mayor R.T. Rybak will hold a press conference Thursday to tout their dramatic drop in crime. They say the real victory is if these numbers hold until the end of the year.