Mayors, police, city leadership of southwest suburbs lay out action steps on crime

Gracie Stockton
[Edina Police Department.]

Five mayors, police chiefs and city leadership in southwest metro suburbs met Friday to discuss the recent increase in vehicle and property crime in the area.

According to a press release, the Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka and Plymouth mayors laid out action steps to address crime, which include the following:

  1. Strengthening partnerships with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and law enforcement in order to change policies related to the vehicle-related crime spike.
  2. Requesting for the Regional Council of Mayors to discuss the issue and its prevention at their January meeting,
  3. Stating that local law enforcement agencies continue and build on their existing collaboration and work together on a "comprehensive and consistent response" to metro crime.

"When one city experiences an increase in crime, it affects all of us," the mayors wrote. "Together, we are committed to protecting our residents and preserving the high quality-of-life every person deserves."

Earlier this week, hundreds of Edina residents turned out for a community crime prevention meeting, calling on police to apprehend violent criminals and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to seek tougher sentences for those convicted.

On Tuesday, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced that two prosecutors were assigned to carjacking cases in response to the increase of local vehicle crimes. One is in charge of juvenile cases, the other of adults. Freeman also clarified that carjacking charges tend to include violent crimes, like assault and aggravated robbery, differentiating them from auto thefts, which are considered low-level, non-violent crimes when involving an unoccupied vehicle.

As of Tuesday, there were 138 carjacking cases referred to the HCAO this year, including 44 adult and 94 juvenile cases, of which 75% were charged. In 2020, there were 124 referrals; 87% were charged, according to the office.

This week, two people pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery charges in Hennepin County court.

Additionally, police arrested two suspects in relation to a recent string of attempted carjackings in St. Louis Park and Edina. Law enforcement is still searching for a third suspect and there is a $5,000 reward for information leading to their arrest and conviction.