Minneapolis is grappling with an unnerving surge in homicides this December. Police Chief Brian O'Hara expressed his concerns after the city faced a spate of 12 homicides during the month, with two violent deaths occurring just over the recent holiday weekend, as reported by MPR News.
The string of violence included a fatal shooting near the Lake Street light rail station on Saturday and a stabbing on Minnehaha Avenue on Sunday. Speaking on the grim situation, Chief O'Hara told MPR News, "It's very disturbing, I mean this is what gets me up in the middle of the night, all night, checking my phone, to see what's happened." Despite an overall 10 percent drop in the homicide rate compared to last year, the recent trend is a cause for alarm.
Chief O'Hara pointed to the easy availability of guns as a critical factor in the spike, although not all homicides involved firearms. He referenced several high-profile cases, including the murder of Robert Skafte, a road rage incident, and familial disputes turned deadly, according to MinnPost. "It is typical to get spikes like this during the course of the year," O'Hara said. "It's not typical to get it at this time of year."
The troubling developments in Minneapolis's public safety landscape come amidst a backdrop of more light-hearted local news, such as the Savage Fire Department's viral spoof of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and St. Paul's reported success in addressing, all 3,800 pothole complaints this year. Nonetheless, the police department remains focused on addressing the surge in violence and providing safety and security to its residents during a time traditionally associated with peace and celebration.
