Members of Project Lookout, a volunteer crime watch patrol, learned about auto theft prevention during a community presentation at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fourth Precinct.
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Tim Hammett is a familiar presence to many on the Northside. As a Crime Prevention Specialist (CPS) for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in the city’s Fourth Precinct, he works with residents in the Camden Community to find ways to curb illegal activities in the area.
Hammett spends his days, and many of his nights, speaking with people who are interested in addressing crime and building community in their neighborhoods. On the job for 15 years, Hammett utilizes a wide range of public outreach tools to make an impact.
Community education presentations are one important method for equipping members of the public with information and skills they can use to reduce their risk of being targeted for crimes. Workshops on personal safety, home security and auto theft are among those to have recently been offered at the MPD’s Fourth Precinct station at 1925 Plymouth Ave. N.
On a Wednesday evening late last month, for example, Hammett spoke to a crowd of a few dozen about what people can do to help prevent vehicles from being stolen. Among the recommendations offered were suggestions to invest in a car alarm and utilize theft prevention devices like steering wheel locks.
Hammett stated, however, that “good habits are more important than good hardware,” emphasizing the importance of removing valuables from a car and never leaving the keys inside. He said that a surprising number of car thefts are a result of people leaving cars running and unattended, a problem he expects only to get worse when the weather turns cold and people want to warm up vehicles.
On this evening Hammett was joined by MPD Officer Wayne Johnson, an auto-theft investigator, who spoke about the bait vehicle program — an initiative he said has helped to lower the number of car thefts in the city. In its first 12 years, the program contributed to a drop in auto theft of 68 percent. One of Hammett’s fellow Fourth Precinct CPS, Rowena Holmes, was also on hand to share information with the public.
MPD Crime Prevention Specialists like Hammett and Holmes don’t do all of their work at precinct headquarters. People in these civilian positions also spend time going out and into the neighborhoods to hear residents’ concerns and offer potential solutions to community issues. An important aspect of this work is fostering the development and growth of block clubs to strengthen connections between people and bring greater awareness to crime issues.
The crime problems that have plagued the Northside have been well documented. While crime is down throughout the city over the last decade, significant challenges remain for law enforcement. Hammett said that some of the concerns he most often hears from residents today relate to home burglary, auto theft and narcotics dealing.
In many cases, the residents on a block know very well who is responsible for the bulk of the problems. Activities in and around “nuisance properties,” or so-called “party houses,” often represent a significant portion of an area’s overall crime.
Recognizing this fact the MPD has developed a Conduct On Premises (COP) initiative. This program seeks to empower residents who have concerns about select properties in a neighborhood. Police resources, community involvement and city enforcement of a COP-related ordinance are all leveraged to target homes generating a disproportionate amount of crime.
The city’s regulatory participation is quite important, giving the initiative enforcement capabilities that it might not otherwise have. For example, should enough problems be associated with a single property, city action may be taken against a homeowner. Those property owners who rent homes can even have a rental license taken away if tenants are routinely in trouble with the law.
When it comes to effectively dealing with problem properties, Tim Hammett emphasizes the importance of calling 911 when problems occur. While some residents may balk at taking the step of involving police for nuisance occurrences, he says that “it really is proper to call 911 in these situations.”
Other current points of focus for Hammett and his colleagues are related to the season. With the return of school, for example, an important priority is making sure that children are safe as they travel to and from their classrooms.
Home break-ins, frequently occurring throughout the spring and summer, remain a point of emphasis for CPS into the autumn. People working in their yards often leave a door unlocked as they rake leaves, remove bulbs and perform other seasonal tasks. Thieves may enter homes undetected and get away with high-value items.
Central to reducing all crimes, says Hammett, is greater connection between those who live in the city’s neighborhoods. In this regard, he’s encouraged by developments in the Camden Community. “We’re seeing a lot more people who are getting involved in their neighborhood associations, in their block clubs and in crime prevention activities,” says Hammett. “Anything that contributes to stronger communities is going to be a positive factor in fighting crime.”
Northside residents interested in learning more about how they can get involved in crime prevention efforts can call the MPD’s Fourth Precinct (612-673-5704) or contact the Crime Prevention Specialist designated for their neighborhood.
Sector 1
Harrison, Bryn-Mawr, Near North, Heritage Park, Willard-Hay
Rowena Holmes
612-673-2833
rowena.holmes@minneapolismn.gov
Sector 2
Cleveland, Folwell, Hawthorne, Jordan, McKinley
Jennifer Waisanen
612-673-5873
jennifer.waisanen@minneapolismn.gov
Sector 3
Camden Industry, Lind Bohanan, Humboldt Ind., Shingle Creek, Victory, Webber-Camden
Tim Hammett
612-673-2866
timothy.hammett@minneapolismn.gov