The Minnetonka Police Department has released its annual crime report for 2021.
Although there was no significant change in Minnetonka’s violent crime rate, property crimes in the city remain high, especially compared to pre-pandemic levels.
On page 10, under a section titled “2021 Crime Trends,” the report notes that compared to 2019, burglaries were up 54.8%, car theft 57.3%, and theft from motor vehicles 94.7% in 2021.
Including an 8.72% increase in retail theft, the overall trend shows a 28.7% increase in property crime from 2019 to 2021.
The report also reminds Minnetonka residents to “lock doors, close garages and secure cars each evening.”
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Minnetonka police in their annual report say property crimes rose sharply in 2021 as compared to 2019.Burglary up 54.8%
Auto theft up 57.3%
Theft from vehicles up 94.7%
Retail theft was also up almost 9%No significant change in the violent crime rate for the city.
. pic.twitter.com/IyWaLn4heP— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) April 18, 2022
In a message included at the beginning of the report, Minnetonka Chief of Police Scott Boerboom commended his department for maintaining “appropriate staffing levels” and providing “exceptional service to the community” amid the COVID pandemic.
Boerboom further noted that officers responded to roughly 5% fewer calls than in 2020 while acknowledging the persistence of a high property crime rate.
“We experienced a decrease in traffic stops and a slight increase in medical related calls. Overall, crime continues to remain low with the exception of motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicle and burglary,” he wrote. “While we have been fortunate compared to many neighboring communities who have experienced an increase in violent crimes, nevertheless these property crimes impact our residents.”
Boerboom added that the Minnetonka Police Department is coming up with solutions to decrease the amount of property crime in the city.
“We are partnering with neighborhood agencies to share resources and technology to address these surges in crime,” he said. “In addition, we are working with other criminal justice partners to identify strategies to address repeat offenders who continue to target our community.”
Evan Stambaugh
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer who had previously been a sports blogger. He has a BA in theology and an MA in philosophy.
