The crime statistics for 2008 are in. Violent crime was down in the Camden Community, from 500 reported incidents in 2007 to 459 in 2008, a decrease of 8 percent. Although there was a slight increase in robbery, from 183 in '07 to 186 in '08, all other categories of violent crime were down. Homicide was down by 50 percent, from 10 to 5, reported rapes were down 18 percent, from 38 to 31, and aggravated assault was down 12 percent, from 269 to 237. Overall, there were 41 fewer victims of violent crime in Camden in 2008 than there were in 2007.
With the exception of burglary, all other categories of Part One crime were down as well. Larceny (theft) was down 9 percent, auto theft was down 13 percent, and arson was down 23 percent. Unfortunately, burglary was up significantly. There were 905 reported burglaries in Camden in 2008, up from 619 in 2007. This is an increase of 286, or 46 percent. Of the reported burglaries, roughly 680 were burglaries of dwellings, about 180 were garage burglaries, and 45 were business burglaries.
As is common, most of these burglaries happened during weekday hours when many people were at work. In general, burglaries were nearly twice as likely to occur on any given weekday than on a Saturday or Sunday. It can often be hard to pin down an exact time of a burglary, since the vast majority of them happen when no one is home. Statistically however, burglaries are least likely to be reported as happening between midnight and 6 a.m., with a distinct increase after 6 a.m., and a moderate decline around 4 or 5 p.m.
One factor contributing to this increase in burglaries was the rise in copper and metal theft from abandoned homes. Two seemingly unrelated factors combined to create ideal conditions for this particular crime to explode: the mortgage crisis, and the huge increase in commodity prices for specific metals, including copper. The value of scrap metal peaked right when more and more homes were being abandoned and left vacant by their owners. For any crime to occur, three elements must be present: Opportunity, motive and means. The increase in vacant homes certainly increased the opportunity for metal theft, while the jump in scrap metal prices drove an increase in motive. It doesn't take any special skill to strip the copper from a vacant house, so the means took care of itself.
This speaks to the need for all of us to remain watchful and engaged on our blocks and in our neighborhoods. It's no accident that most burglaries occur when no one is home. Even burglaries in abandoned homes increase when the surrounding houses are empty. Burglars, and criminals in general, don't like to be seen. You can also significantly reduce the chances of being burglarized yourself by having a free home security survey done. Call your MPD Crime Prevention Specialist to set up an appointment.
While we can all be thankful that most Part One crimes are down, and that violent crime in particular is down, we all agree that any crime at all in our community is too much. Camden is, and will always be, what we, the residents and businesses of Camden make it. Civic engagement is essential in reducing and preventing crime. From lobbying our representatives, participating on boards and in community organizations, running for office ourselves, and keeping our public servants accountable, to simply getting to know our neighbors and extending the hand of fellowship, we all contribute to a healthy, stable community.
Number of
CAMDEN Reports
2007* 2008** Difference %+/-
Homicide 10 5 -5 -50%
Rape 38 31 -7 -18%
Robbery 183 186 3 2%
Agg Assault 269 237 -32 -12%
Violent Crime 500 459 -41 -8%
Burglary 619 905 286 46%
Larceny 569 519 -50 -9%
Auto Theft 310 269 -41 -13%
Arson 35 27 -8 -23%
Total Part 1 2033 2179 146 7%
* Data deemed accurate as of 1/7/2008
** Data deemed accurate as of 1/7/2009
Source: Minneapolis Police Department neighborhood CODEFOR statistics. Neighborhoods included are: Camden Industrial Area, Cleveland, Folwell, Humboldt Industrial Area, Lind Bohanon, McKinley, Shingle Creek, Victory and Webber-Camden.