Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Cari Spencer

Minneapolis collaborates with state, federal agencies to target violent crime

A man speaks at a podium
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara answers questions during a press conference after the Minneapolis City Council voted 8 to 4 to approve the new police contract on July 18.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Law enforcement organizations have launched a coordinated crackdown targeting crime hotspots in Minneapolis for the third summer in a row. 

The weeklong effort focuses on people police say are responsible for disproportionate amounts of violence in the city and prioritizes the seizure of illegal guns. There were three shootings in Minneapolis over the weekend that caused one death.

“We do not tolerate gunfire in our communities,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about the initiative, dubbed Operation Safe Summer. “Everyone should feel comfortable sending their kid to the playground or jumping on a trampoline without the risk of getting hit by gunfire.”

The effort is a collaboration between Minneapolis police, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol, as well as federal law enforcement partners. 

Last year, the week ended with 38 firearm seizures and 100 arrests, according to the city. The operation netted similar numbers in 2022.

Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O’Hara said the weeklong collaboration will focus on violent crime hotspots, including intersections in south and north Minneapolis. In the first two days of the collaboration, there were 13 firearm seizures and 44 arrests, according to the city.

“These are very targeted investigations, very focused and we’re thankful that we’re able to do this this week because we know our community is desperately in need to see visible police response to some of the violence that’s been going on,” O’Hara said. 

Collaborative operations are not isolated to this week, but O’Hara said the increased intelligence shared between agencies helps with investigations year-round. He added there’s “a very small percentage of blocks that are problematic,” and law enforcement works with their partners to target those areas. 

“We recognize that some of the spots that historically there’s concentrations, long-term solutions involve more than just arresting people,” O’Hara said. “That’s beyond the scope of what we do.”

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the agency’s new violent crime reduction unit, funded by the state Legislature last session, is assisting.

“Their focus is on violent crime, gun trafficking, recovery of firearms and individuals that are wanted in connection with violent crimes across the state of Minnesota,” Evans said, adding that in the past six months, the new unit has confiscated 154 firearms. 

The annual operation was initially planned earlier in the summer but was delayed by the fatal shooting of Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell at the end of May.