ST. PAUL – Today the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the 2022 Uniform Crime Report, which complies statistics from across the state to give a bigger picture of public safety in Minnesota. The report does show an 8% decrease in violent crime across the state since last year, however, further examination shows most violent crime remains significantly higher over a five-year period.  

Senator Warren Limmer (R- Maple Grove), Lead Republican on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, released the following statement responding to the report:

“Let’s not get too comfy, too fast with a one-year decrease in violent crime.  Just this year, police reports have revealed car thefts more than doubled in the city of Minneapolis. Aggravated assaults increased by 55%, car theft by 66% and murders by 75% since 2018.

“Many judges and prosecutors are not holding criminals accountable for the crimes they have committed against our innocent citizens.

“Additionally, recent legislative changes did nothing to help our law enforcement with their efforts to keep citizens safe. Rather than give law enforcement the tools and support they need to do their jobs, Democrats passed a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ public safety bill that puts more criminals back on the street, with shorter prison time.”