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<br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: 1/29/2024 <br />Item No.: 7.l. <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br /> <br /> <br />Item Description: Consider approving Joint Powers Agreement and authorize entering <br />into a partnership with the State of Minnesota BCA Violent Crime <br />Reduction Unit <br />1 <br />2 Background <br />3 In the past several years, Minnesota has experienced a surge in violent crime, a trend seen nationwide <br />4 and coinciding with the economic and social disruptions of the pandemic. According to the Bureau of <br />5 Criminal Apprehension's (BCA) 2021 uniform crime report, there was a 21.6% increase in violent <br />6 crime. In 2021, the Twin Cities metropolitan area saw a significantly higher increase in violent crime <br />7 than greater Minnesota, with a 23.9% increase in violent crime. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul reported <br />8 near record homicides in 2021. In 2022, violent crime levels started to trend down, but they remain <br />9 higher than prior to 2020 and still very much of a concern. Violent crime not only impacts individual <br />10 victims, their family and friends, but also affects nearby residents, businesses, and the fabric of our <br />11 communities. Exposure to violent crimes damages the health of entire communities. <br />12 <br />13 Below is a chart of Minnesota's Violent Crime Trends from the 2022 Uniform Crime Report. <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers approved funding for a Violent Crime Reduction Support <br />19 Initiative through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the BCA. The initiative has three main <br />20 components to assist Minnesota Law Enforcement in combating violent crime in partnership with <br />21 education and prevention efforts: <br />22 1. A Violent Crime Support Unit within the BCA Forensic Science Services. <br />23 2. Analytical and operational support within the Criminal Information and Operations Section. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />Qbhf!76!pg!367 <br /> <br />