The City of Plymouth has recently heard from Plymouth residents who are concerned about crime in the city. For the sake of transparency and to help alleviate resident concerns, I want to share some recent crime statistics and information with residents.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, metro area cities dealt with a barrage of car thefts and property crimes. The pandemic, coupled with the civil unrest in Minneapolis and surrounding communities, played a major role in the elevated levels of crime that affected Plymouth and so many other suburbs. While crime does happen in Plymouth, we have been fortunate to have avoided many of the violent crime and carjacking increases that our neighboring communities have experienced.

While 2022 isn’t over yet, so we can’t showcase comprehensive data for the year, comparisons from 2021 to 2022 show that many crimes have actually decreased in Plymouth over the last year. Data from January-September 2022 compared to January-September 2021 shows that overall:

• Group A crimes are down 21% (1,913 reported in 2021, compared to 1,517 in 2022).*
• Group B crimes are down 10% (546 reported in 2021, compared to 493 in 2022).*

Here are some third-quarter highlights and comparison data from January-September 2022 compared to January-September 2021:

• Assault – 3% decrease in reported assaults
  • 208 reports of assault in 2021, compared to 201 in 2022
• Burglaries – 33% decrease in reported burglaries
  • 186 burglaries reported in 2021, compared to 125 in 2022
• Drug Offenses – 48% decrease in reported drug offenses
  • 164 reported drug offenses in 2021, compared to 86 in 2022
• Fleeing from Officers – 32% increase in reported cases of fleeing
  • 22 reported in 2021, compared to 29 in 2022
• Fraud – 43% decrease in reported fraud cases
  • 414 cases of fraud reported in 2021, compared to 235 in 2022
• Homicide – 0% increase in reported homicides
  • 2 reported homicides in 2021, compared to 2 in 2022
• Motor Vehicle Thefts – 15% decrease in reported motor vehicle thefts
  • 62 motor vehicle thefts reported in 2021, compared to 53 in 2022
• Robbery (including Carjackings) – 75% increase
  • 4 reported robberies in 2021, compared to 7 in 2022
• Thefts/Larceny – 4% decrease in reported thefts
  • 589 reports of theft in 2021, compared to 565 in 2022
  • Included in this data: Theft of motor vehicle parts (including catalytic converter thefts) – 101 theft of motor vehicle parts in 2021, compared to 121 in 2022
• Vandalism – 22% decrease in reported criminal damage to property offenses
  • 194 cases of reported vandalism in 2021, compared to 152 reported in 2022

Throughout 2021, the City of Plymouth proactively worked to help reduce crime in the metro area. City leaders partnered with metro area police chiefs, mayors and city managers to issue joint statements, press releases and letters to the county attorney to advocate for changes in how these crimes are prosecuted. City leaders conducted a variety of media interviews and spoke to our state elected officials.

The City of Plymouth also issued more crime prevention messaging in 2021 than ever before, including reminders about closing garage doors, locking side doors and vehicles, identifying fraud and scams, preventing catalytic converter theft, removing valuables from vehicles, turning on lights and more. As a city, we will continue to be proactive about issuing crime prevention messaging and implementing additional crime reduction strategies.

Metro area communities have experienced some tough years. I am thankful that we are seeing a reduction in crime in Plymouth, which isn’t the case for many communities. I am also appreciative of the work of our dedicated Public Safety staff who stand ready to respond to calls for service, and who are out in the community talking with residents and business owners about ways to prevent crime.

I am proud to call Plymouth home and I am grateful to be of service to this community. I encourage residents with questions or concerns to give us a call.

Sincerely,

Plymouth Public Safety Director Erik Fadden

*Group A and B crimes are categorized by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Group A crimes include murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, human trafficking, counterfeiting and forgery, embezzlement, sex offenses, stolen property, prostitution, gambling, vandalism, weapons, and narcotics. Group B crimes include family offenses – non-violent, DUI, liquor laws, disorderly conduct, and all other offenses.