Annual BCA report shows violent crime rates declined in 2023, but “much work remains”

In Minnesota, most violent crimes are down, but other crimes, such as attacks on police officers, are up.

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's 2023 Uniform Crime Report, violent crime across the state has decreased by 6.9% compared to 2022. The report also highlights a more than 8% decrease in violent crime in the metropolitan area.

According to the BCA, the number of car thefts – defined as the violent theft of a vehicle – has also fallen by 37.8 percent.

And although the number of car thefts has declined for the first time since 2020, Jeff Potts, executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, believes the number of 15,612 in 2023 is still too high.

“While this is a step in the right direction, I believe there are still areas with certain types of crimes that continue to be of concern to us in the law enforcement community,” Potts said of the report's findings.

Earlier this summer, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reported on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office's efforts to reduce auto thefts with its new auto theft unit.

According to city data from Minneapolis, one of Hennepin County's biggest auto theft hotspots, auto thefts have declined by more than 20% so far in 2024.

“Reducing violent crime remains a top priority for our department and our city,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said in a statement. “While violent crime remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, I am encouraged that there has been a decrease in 2023. This is a testament to the incredible officers who continue to work day in and day out in Minneapolis despite all the challenges they face.”

Potts says he is also concerned about the rising number of attacks on police officers. According to the report, there were 144 more attacks on police officers in 2023 than the year before.

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The number of hate crimes also increased last year.

Looking at the state report, Potts says he compares it to crime trends before the pandemic, saying he believes there was a sharp increase in many crimes in 2020.

“There are some positive signs this year. I don't want to deny that,” Potts says. “But I think in the areas that people really care about – murder rates, car theft, aggravated assault – we are, you know, still significantly higher than we were before the pandemic. [levels] to this day. There is still a lot to do.”