Serious crime up in St. Paul last year - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Serious crime increased in St. Paul last year, with homicides and rapes leading the growth, according to statistics the police department released Monday.

Part one crimes, which also include aggravated assaults and robbery, among others, grew 10 percent between 2016 and 2017. They dropped 1.6 percent from five years ago.

“We’re taking it very seriously, because any time we have an increase in crime, it’s a concern for us,” said police Chief Todd Axtell.

Homicides increased last year by 15.8 percent while rapes increased by 17.9 percent. They count as “crimes against persons,” a category that increased by 2.3 percent.

Axtell attributed some of the overall increase to population growth in St. Paul. Theft and auto theft, which count as “crimes against property,” were among the driving force behind the increase, he said. Crimes against property grew by larger margins than crimes against persons — 10.9 percent.

Although it isn’t always clear what influences crime, Axtell said, thefts of items like purses are often linked to other crimes, such as financial fraud. Retail theft of items for personal use is more common, he said.

The department will focus on working with retailers and the public this year on combating theft and auto theft, which grew by 16.2 and 11.2 percent, respectively.

The two categories account for 80 percent of last year’s increase in part one crime, said police spokesman Steve Linders.

Robberies, aggravated assaults and burglaries all saw slight decreases last year.

The number of 911 calls increased by 1.2 percent last year, and has grown from 53,803 calls in 2013 to 71,579 in 2017.

Asked whether the department can keep up with the increase in volume, Axtell said “No, not as adequately as we would like.”

Axtell said the department is finding ways to free up officers to respond to the more serious calls. Officers hand out paperwork at nonserious car accidents where no one is injured, and residents can fill online reports for non-urgent crimes such as thefts.

Twitter: @ChaoStrib

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