What Have You Done For Us Lately?

Dear Amy,

I just read this article on the StarTribune website that claims the violent crimes went up 35% last year.  Isn't Minneapolis a major part of Hennepin County and aren't you responsible for keeping violent offenders off the streets in prison?

Violent crime up 35.5 percent in Minneapolis in 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Violent crime rose 35.5 percent in Minneapolis last year, far higher than a 2.5 percent national increase that reversed a five-year decline, preliminary data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report showed today.

Minneapolis' surge came despite an 11.3 percent drop in murders from 53 to 47 (the Minneapolis police department says there actually were 48 murders). The increase resulted largely from a 40.8 percent jump in robberies, to 3,165 and a 37.4% increase in the number of aggravated assaults, to 2,798, the data showed.

Property crimes in Minneapolis also surged by 11.9 percent to over 2004, despite a national decrease of 1.6 percent, the FBI reported.

In 2004, Minneapolis up 11.9%, national decrease 1.6% and in 2005 the nation goes up slightly, but Minneapolis goes up an incredible 35.5 %.  These numbers do not include the more recent murders and attacks in the downtown and Uptown areas either.

You were just endorsed to represent the DFL in the November election, why should we believe you can handle the responsibilities of a U.S. Senator when you cannot perform up to standard as a county attorney?

Sincerely,
Jerry Plagge
Richfield, MN