Property Crimes Courtwatch comes to Northside
By: Crime Prevention Specialist Tim Hammett 09/01/2011
North Minneapolis residents and businesses are banding together to fight property crimes in North Minneapolis. Beginning in September, the 4th Precinct Property Crimes Courtwatch will provide Northsiders a voice in the courtroom when burglars and other thieves are sentenced. Through the use of Community Impact Statements, people who are affected by burglary and other property crimes can let the courts know just how these crimes have altered their lives and ask for appropriate sentences.
Fourth Precinct Property Crimes Courtwatch is a collaboration between residents and businesses, the County and City Attorneys’ Offices, the Minneapolis Police Department, and other community organizations. Initial community leadership will be provided by the 4th Precinct CARE Taskforce. The goal is to ensure that convicted burglars and other thieves get appropriate sentences from the courts.
Property Crimes Courtwatch works with its government partners to identify the most prolific and active burglars and follows their cases through the criminal justice system. When these individuals are arrested and charged with a property crime, Courtwatch notifies the public and requests impact statements.
The best way for the public to get these requests is to sign up to the MPD’s Crime Alert email notification system. When a request for impact statements on an offender is generated, the 4th Precinct Crime Prevention Specialists will put the request out through their alert lists. Included with the request will be a short description of the particular case and a brief summary of the offender’s criminal history. To sign up for this service, simply log on to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crimealert/signup.asp and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also contact your neighborhood’s Crime Prevention Specialist for assistance. Call 673-5704 and ask to speak to the CPS for your neighborhood.
If you don’t wish to put your name on your statement you can request a confidential identification number. You can use this number instead of your name when submitting your statement. To receive your confidential Courtwatch Identification Number call CPS Tim Hammett at 673-2866 or timothy.hammett@minneapolismn.gov.
One does not have to be the actual victim of a burglary to submit an impact statement. Whenever we hear of a burglary in our neighborhood, we all feel vulnerable. If your neighbor’s house is burglarized, you’re likely to feel less secure in your own home. If you hear about a rash of burglaries in your neighborhood, you may wonder if you’ll be next. If you feel anxiety over burglaries in your neighborhood, if you’ve modified the way you live or taken extra security measures around your home, you can submit an impact statement.
Of the serious crimes against property or person, burglary probably has the greatest overall impact on the quality of life in a community. By having your voice heard in the courtroom, you can make a significant difference in the outcome of burglary cases in north Minneapolis. The 4th Precinct Property Crimes Courtwatch asks that you join them in this important initiative.