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Inspector's Insights

Property Crimes and 911

Anatomy of a door

On Tuesday March 27, Property Crimes Lt Lee Edwards and Crime Prevention Specialists Amy Lavender and Chelsea Adams presented on the topic of how property crimes are investigated in Fifth Precinct, how squads respond to 911 calls, when and how to call 911 or 311, and burglary prevention tips.

Some important information regarding these topics can be found below.

911/311

• Call 911 any time you need police, fire, or ambulance response (even if it is NOT an emergency. This includes for suspicious activity.)
• Call 311 for city services
• Squads have GPS units and are assigned to the nearest call. It's very important to give as much information as possible when calling 911 to ensure officers can best respond to your concern.
• Click the 911-311 flyer link at the top of the Crime Prevention Resources page for more information.

Property Crimes Investigations

• Investigators do their best to solve property crimes. However, they can only investigate if there are any leads (suspect information, evidence..)
• The Crime Lab representatives come out to many property crimes, including burglaries, to check for fingerprints, DNA, or other evidence. Despite what is seen on tv, not all materials will collect fingerprints and not all fingerprints are sufficient for comparison/usable for investigation.

Burglary Prevention

• Lock your doors and windows in your house and garage. Pin windows so they can be stopped at 6 inches to dissuade thieves.
• A common entrypoint into homes during spring/summer is through open or unlocked windows.
• Don't forget to lock your doors when you are in your yard gardening or doing yardwork!

For more crime prevention information visit the Crime Prevention Resources page or contact your Crime Prevention Specialist:

• Amy Lavender, amy.lavender@minneapolismn.gov
• Armatage, East Harriet, Fulton, Kenny, Kingfield, Lyndale, Lynnhurst, Tangletown, Windom
• Chelsea Adams, chelsea.adams@minneapolismn.gov
• CARAG, Cedar-Isles-Dean, East Isles, ECCO, Kenwood, Linden Hills, Lowry Hill, Lowry Hill East, Stevens Square, West Calhoun, Whittier

Everyday Heroes

In late December 2011 there were several reported bank robberies in the Fifth Precinct. In response to this, on January 2, 2012 Sergeant Tim Mattsson of Fifth Precinct Midwatch prepared to send officers out to do an undercover detail directed at banks. Before that could occur, Sgt. Mattsson heard a robbery of business in progress being broadcast over the radio. The business was US bank located on the 2400 block of Hennepin Av S.

Sgt. Mattsson and officers responded quickly to the area. Since other officers were already at the scene, Sgt. Mattsson decided to check other locations where the suspect may have gone prior to or directly after the robbery. He remembered from a previous crime that a suspect hid in the bathroom at a nearby gas station.

During his visit, he discovered that the manager was holding a wallet from a man who had stopped by the store a few days prior and borrowed some money, leaving his wallet as collateral. This male matched the description of the bank robber. Sgt. Mattsson looked at the male's driver's license picture and found that it was similar to surveillance photos taken at an earlier bank robbery. Sgt. Mattsson took control of the wallet and turned it over to investigators.

Because of Sgt. Mattsson's outstanding attention to detail and determination, Thomas Scott Wright 11/25/57 was arrested and indicted for bank robbery. He is facing a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison if convicted. 

At a recent Southwest Social Services Partnership (SWSSP) meeting, speakers from the VA (Veterans Affairs) presented on services and training available at the VA and other military resources. There was a particular emphasis on recently returned veterans and how to help them.

Although the majority of veterans are able to reacclimate to their home life, a small percentage find it to be more difficult.

If you know any veterans, please remember:

• they may need some time to readjust.
• they may have been negatively affected by situations that are not what you see on war movies but were equally impactful to the veteran.
• they may have had different responsibilities during their service that do not match the responsibilities they have access to back home. This disconnect could be disconcerting or frustrating.
• they may benefit from the VA and other military resources.

If you would like to learn more about resources available, visit:

www.minneapolis.va.gov - Minneapolis Veterans Affairs

www.mdva.state.mn.us - MN Department of Veterans Affairs 

SWSSP meets 3 times a year. Future topics for 2012 are currently planned to be sexual assault and mandatory reporting, sex offender notification, vulnerable adults, and financial fraud.

The Southwest Spiritual Advisory Committee (SWSAC) meets twice a year. Currently planned topics for 2012 include domestic assault resources, substance abuse, and counseling.

If you are a representative of a social service group or spiritual/religious institution in the Fifth Precinct and would like to hear more about these meetings, please contact:

CPS Amy Lavender - amy.lavender@minneapolismn.gov 

CPS Chelsea Adams - chelsea.adams@minneapolismn.gov  

Making a Difference with 911

Community Corner 

28th St W & Hennepin Av S

In 1908, West High School was built at Hennepin Av and 28th St W. In the 1930's, over 2200 students were enrolled. The greater Uptown area was primarily family-friendly, while Hennepin Avenue was a flourishing commercial corridor that connected downtown to residential homes, and Uptown served as an important streetcar route that connected Minneapolis to the vacation homes situated by Lake Minnetonka. In 1982 West High School was closed and later demolished in 1984, changing the look of the intersection.

Today, Hennepin Avenue remains a major street connecting southwest Minneapolis to downtown. 

At 28th and Hennepin, visitors will find a number of draws, including:

• food (a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, a quaint coffeeshop that specializes in buns and cookies, a coffeehouse set in a renovated Victorian house built in 1877 with specialty chai, a rustic coffeehouse with live performances of poetry or music, and going down Hennepin either way will bring you to more restaurants and entertainment)
• services, including mailing and realty
• retail (exercise apparel, antiques, consignment clothing, furniture and design, and a wide variety of independent stores that line the street)
• and more

Down Hennepin Av is the Uptown YWCA, which includes a 7-lane lap pool and a number of other amenities. Down 28th St, Grace-Trinity Community Church hosts a number of community events and a nursery school. A large complex of condominiums for seniors over 55 years of age overlooks the intersection, while down Hennepin Av near the YWCA is the Uptown metro bus station-- a hub of public transportation that connects visitors to all over Minneapolis. Beneath the metro station arcs the Midtown Greenway, a nearly 6 mile, virtually vehicle-traffic-free route across Minneapolis that is a popular bike lane used for commuting and recreational activity of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Hennepin Av is also the boundary between Lowry Hill East (to the east, and commonly known as 'the Wedge') and East Isles (to the west, with its westward border along Lake of the Isles). Parts of Hennepin Av are in a special service district, which means that during the winter months the trees are strung with lights, bringing an even more welcoming air to the area.

These are only a few draws that can be found in the area of 28th St W and Hennepin Av S. We encourage you to visit if you have not already! You're sure to find something enjoyable. 

Protecting Your Technology

It seems like every year new technology is released-- but with that comes new vulnerabilities for owners to lose hundreds of dollars. The compact mobility is convenient for owners and thieves alike. When you buy anything electronic that is mobile, think of it in terms of carrying that much cash.

What can you do to protect your investment? See below for just a few ideas. With some research, you can find even more.

Keep in mind that theft is a crime of opportunity. The best way to avoid having your items stolen is to never leave them unattended.

LAPTOPS

• Consider laptop security software. There are many companies that offer this product. It will allow you to track your laptop if stolen, and some companies offer other options such as deleting personal information from afar, money back guarantee, etc. Research before you buy to ensure the company is legitimate and meets your needs. 
• Record the make/model/serial number and provide to officers when making a police report.
• Do not leave your laptop unattended on tables or in your car.
• Use strong passwords to make accessing information difficult.
• Use a screen guard if you have sensitive information on your laptop in public settings.
• Remember: public wi-fi spots are not secure. Avoid making financial transactions and look for "https" when you need a secure site.
• There are many laptop alarms and encryption tools available as well.

GPS UNITS 

 

• Do not leave unattended in your vehicle-- bring with you when possible.
• Record the make/model/serial number on a home inventory and/or register with the GPS company.
• Do not leave the mounting pieces on the dash or window when you leave. Even if you've removed the GPS unit itself, thieves may see the mounting bracket and believe the GPS is still in the car.
• Clean spots on the dash or window that make it obvious the GPS is usually mounted there.
• REMEMBER: If you have your home address programmed into the GPS unit, a thief could learn where you live. If this concerns you, consider using a nearby public space as the home address, such as a grocery store or police station. 

SMARTPHONES

• Record the make/model/serial number
• Install/activate a function or app to find your phone if lost/stolen. The functions vary but many allow you to lock down your phone, set a new passcord, remote wipe information, track your phone, create a message to display on screen, and so on.
• iPhones:
• Depending on your OS, to activate the in-phone system:
• Settings - iCloud (or MobileMe) - find my iPhone
• You will likely have to sign up on a website as well 
• Other smartphones:
• Check if you have a function built into the phone and activate it if so.
• Download an app which has these functions. Research the app to ensure it is legitimate and meets your needs
• Keep your smartphone in hand and pay attention to your surroundings. Smartphones have been stolen right out of the owner's hands while they were distracted while on the street or at a bus stop,or stolen from tables in public even with the owner sitting right there.

TABLETS & EREADERS

• Security tips for tablets and ereaders are similar to tips for smartphones and laptops. See both for tips. In addition:
• Consider apps or software to remotely wipe your tablet.
• Remember: ereaders do not necessarily offer password protection or locks, so any files can be read by anyone. Be especially careful not to leave personal information on ereaders.
• Watch for malicious apps that may steal personal identity information. To avoid, research apps before downloading, and consider a mobile security app from a legitimate company to scan, detect, and block mobile threats from apps.

RECORDING YOUR MAKE/MODEL/SERIAL NUMBER:

Notorious Notables 

Milton Whitfield aka Whitehead

Milton NMN Whitfield aka Whitehead (6/22/1964)

January 18, 2012-

Officers responded to a report of a fight at Sullivan's SuperValu, 30 W. Lake St. Upon arrival, they discovered that staff members were attempting to restrain a shoplifter. Whitfield was discovered taking several items of relatively high value and attempting to leave the store.

Store employees told officers that Mr. Whitfield had been previously trespassed from the store. Since Whitfield was a trespassed person, the charges were elevated from shoplifting to 3rd degree burglary.

Whitfield's previous arrests in Minneapolis include narcotics, auto theft, loitering and robbery.

Somali Language Outreach  Specialist Ahmed Hassan

As you know, on January 22 2012, a mother of a 10 year old girl called the police department to report that her daughter was missing from her religious school. Initially it was thought that the girl was abducted and as a result, the Minneapolis Police Department 5th Precinct conducted a massive search and rescue operations in and around Lake Street. Luckily, the girl was found unharmed later that day at around 5:30PM.

The Inspector Matthew Clark of the 5th Precinct would like to take this opportunity to thank the Somali community for their assistance and cooperation in finding the missing 10 year old girl. Their cooperation greatly contributed to efforts to return the child to her mom's house unharmed.

Again, we sincerely thank each and every one who took part in the search and rescue operation.

Inspector Matt Clark

5th Precinct Minneapolis Police Department 

Wards 

Neighborhood Associations