Minneapolis: Most dangerous downtown of any US major city?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Anecdote - we spent Sunday afternoon downtown, walked around the Nicollet Mall area, went to Target, grabbed a bite to eat at Panera and visited the library. It was lovely weather and although relatively calm/quiet, foot traffic outside was pretty good for a weekend day. We didn’t notice much for police presence but at the same time there didn’t appear to be anything that would cause a perception of danger except that the pigeons were getting a bit feisty. The pigeon population downtown seems to be booming. Anyway not much to report. I added a notch on my hat for another pleasant visit to downtown Minneapolis without incident.

[Justabystander]

Originally Posted by Lodestar

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/...violent-crime/

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/...e-in-violence/

https://alphanewsmn.com/large-violen...-neighborhood/

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archiv...nd-excuses.php

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

How about instead of "thinking " and "feeling" people present statistics that support why they are thinking or feeling that way? Maybe that would show at least an effort to keep from personalizing the discussion.

I've observed the uncomfortable state of affairs in downtown Mpls increase over the years but it's important to have a basis for that fact other than just personal opinion. I know I can't have been the only one who thought rescinding the loitering ordinance would work against safety.

What might cause people to deny the obvious problem? For instance, with relative newcomers to the State we have a problem of relative comparison. If you moved here from Baltimore, St. Louis, Chicago etc. you are probably "feeling" that Mpls is still pretty safe. If you've lived here all your live you see the changes by comparing them to how Mpls was in a safer time. It's a common thing I've seen in families with violence in them. They are so accustomed to it that they don't see a lessor version as a problem.

We also have the problem that if political parties believe their voters are the ones committing the crime there may be increased denial. This is a pity - identifying and defending crime based on ideology - but it's a trend we now have to contend with. There are a rising group of Americans who "feel" if their cause is just that crime is defensible.

Finally, it's important in cases of community violence to detect the trend early and take steps to head it off at the pass before it reaches unmanageable states that require Draconian measures. People need to be sensitive to peristalsis. Which direction is the trend moving in? Is it improving or declining? This is impossible to do using peoples' thoughts and feelings. It must be monitored by accurate statistics.

I went to Minneapolis on business last month from my office in Downtown Chicago. I didn't feel that dt Minneapolis was safer than Chicago, not by a longshot. I really didn't know much about Minneapolis except for Mary Tyler Moore reruns, so the general feel of downtown was a surprise, as well as the strip clubs and adult bookstores. Am I missing something here? Downtown Chicago feels a lot safer, I have no idea what you are talking about as far as a comparison. This is meant not be a knock on the city, but an observation.

[TwinsFan1975]

Originally Posted by Justabystander

I went to Minneapolis on business last month from my office in Downtown Chicago. I didn't feel that dt Minneapolis was safer than Chicago, not by a longshot. I really didn't know much about Minneapolis except for Mary Tyler Moore reruns, so the general feel of downtown was a surprise, as well as the strip clubs and adult bookstores. Am I missing something here? Downtown Chicago feels a lot safer, I have no idea what you are talking about as far as a comparison. This is meant not be a knock on the city, but an observation.

The outer neighborhoods of downtown Mpls proper (North Loop, Loring Park, Mill District, etc.) are fine and very liveable. I know, I live in one of them. There are roughly 50,000 people that live in dt Mpls. and the growth is on track for 70,000 by 2025. The one real problem area is the Warehouse District, bounded by Hennepin Ave. to the east, 2nd Ave. N. to the west, 5th St. to the south and Washington Ave. to the north, In addition to the bars and the clubs, which bring after hours problems on weekend nights, this tends to be the loitering area, particularly around the Warehouse District LRT station. Day and night. Have I ever had a problem there? No. Do I believe that I'm one unintentional bump with a loiterer away from getting attacked by a 1/2 dozen loiterers that have been smoking and dealing dope? You betcha.

Unfair to compare the business district of Mpls. to any part of Manhattan as it's just not a fair comparison. I have had a few New Yorkers comment though about how North Loop reminds them a bit of the West Village. Or in my opinion, to SoWa of Boston.