Reporting Criminal Activity

We hope you never need to file a police report. However, sometimes crimes do occur and we turn to our local police agency for support. In many cases, it is the information provided by victims and witnesses that leads to the arrest of a criminal. The police need the eyes and ears of all our community members; working together is most effective in keeping our community safe, secure, and ready to respond. 

Community Action Against Crime

Seasonal Theft Increase

Crime and theft increase in the summer at CTC, just like anywhere else. It is important to take precautions and report criminal activity to the police, calling 9-1-1 in emergency situations.

Catalytic Converter Theft :

Currently on the rise in the Twin Cities and nationwide, including CTC. Catalytic converter thieves generally target high profile vehicles like trucks or SUV’s because the higher ground clearance allows for easier access underneath the vehicle. However, sports cars and sedans are not immune to converter theft. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you hear someone sawing off a catalytic converter. This crime can take 3-5 minutes to complete. 

So what can you do to protect your vehicle? Below are five prevention tips that can reduce your risk.

• Park in areas where your vehicle will most easily be seen by passers-by. For example, park under lights after dark or near windows at a business. Park near security cameras, if possible.
• Park defensively. Park high profile vehicles so they are surrounded by low ground clearance vehicles. This may deter thieves by making it harder for them to access the most vulnerable targets. It is recommended to back into parking spaces to make it more difficult to jack up the vehicle. The closer you can park next to a curb or other vehicle to avoid ease of getting under your vehicle, the better. We encourage you to come together with your neighbors to make a plan for this defensive parking.
• If your catalytic converter is a “bolt on” model, you can have the bolts welded shut and have extra metal welded to the exhaust system.
• Install a catalytic converter protection device that will clamp around the converter such as a "cat security"
• Etch your converter with your vehicle’s license plate number in several different locations.  This will help police track your property if it is stolen. If your converter is stolen, file a police report immediately after the theft is discovered.

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Pilot Program (May 2022 Update):

Read (and subscribe to) UMPD's newsletter for the latest, local safety alerts and resources, crime updates, plus a new catalytic converter theft prevention pilot program (CATGUARD) - available to CTC residents with UMPD's support! University of Minnesota Police are collaborating with the MN Department of Commerce to implement an adhesive ID tracking program (CATGUARD) and all CTC residents are qualified to receive one. UMPD are offering free CATGUARD labels to interested CTC residents; labels can be shipped by the UMPD to your home address by requesting one at ctc@umnctc.org. 

UMN Police Patrol

• The University of Minnesota has its own police department (UMPD) who serves CTC and attends co-op events like National Night Out. When CTC residents call 9-1-1, the dispatch directs the call over to UMPD. It also helps for residents to immediately identify they live on U of M campus housing and their address.
• UMPD is continuing to do patrols through our community. Police patrols play an important role in public service by responding to incidents, deterring and preventing crimes
• May 2020 Update: The University of Minnesota terminated their contract with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) for support services (previously using for large events and specialized services) following the death of George Floyd.

Surveillance Cameras

As of November 2020, surveillance cameras are installed on property in locations that focus on street entrances, as approved in the UMN Capital Improvement project in Sept. 2019.

The surveillance cameras located throughout the co-op are property of the University of Minnesota. CTC Management does not have access to the footage. Camera footage can only be retrieved by UMPD after placing a police report.

Never Tolerate It; Always Report It!

It is everyone's individual responsibility to report crime, as well as being in everyone's best interest to do so. When you report all the facts about a crime, it helps the police assign officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur, helping to prevent a crime reoccurring. Thus, as a victim or witness of crime, you can reclaim justice for yourself and others by communicating with the police while, ultimately, serving to keep your surrounding community better protected. 

Filing a report as a victim or witness has absolutely no effect on immigration status. Everyone has the right to be anonymous when reporting a crime. Regardless of anonymity, police do not check immigration status when filing or taking police reports. 

How to Report a Crime

1. Contact the Police

• Dial 911 to report an emergency or crime in progress
• Dial 612-624-2677 to report a non-emergency or for general information
• Visit the Transportation and Safety Building lobby to report a non-emergency crime in person (511 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)
• More detailed information on When and How to Report a Police Report

2. Inform CTC Management (ctc@umnctc.org) of the crime. If our management team does not receive your notice of the occurrence, we cannot know what is happening in the community, thus severely setting back our ability to help communicate and resolve issues within the co-op. 

Local Crime Reports

The following provides a snapshot of what is happening on campus:   

• UMN Public Safety Daily Crime Log
• Map of Reported CTC Crimes (2022)
• Map of Reported Campus Crimes (2022)
• Request UMPD Police Report Copy
• Subscribe to UMPD's newsletter for local safety alerts and services, crime updates, and events

Additional Resources:

• University of Minnesota Public Safety Department 
• CTC Safety and Crime Prevention Guide
• Student Legal Services 
• Subscribe to UMPD's newsletter for local safety alerts and services, crime updates, and events

Safety Resources

University Resources

• UMPD Resources: Provides resources on Active shooter situations, Alcohol Abuse and some basic campus safety tips
• Aurora Center Handouts: Provides resources on sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking for educational purposes.
• Safe-U emergency notifications: Provides information on the Safe-U's emergency notification service that contacts all university students, employees and faculty
• Safe Campus website brings together different departments safety info in one convenient place for U students
• University Emergency Plans: Provides the university's current emergency plans
• Dinkytown Safety Guides—identified by Safety Guide shirts and baseball caps—provide a welcoming presence, enhance community connections, and provide extra eyes and ears to help keep our community safe. They are available to call 911, provide walking escort services, help visitors find their way, and connect with business and property owners in the Dinkytown commercial area. The Guides are funded by the Public Safety department.
• Subscribe to UMPD's newsletter for local safety alerts and services, crime updates, and events

Minneapolis Police Department(MPD) Resources

• MPD website
• Minneapolis crime alerts: Go here to sign up for crime alerts for your neighborhood
• Minneapolis Crime Statistics: For further crime statistics go here and see the interactive crime map, crime dashboard and other items
• Minneapolis Police Department Crime Map and Statistics 
• MPD Block Clubs: Information to get involved with the MPD block club program
• MPD report a crime

St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) Resources

• SPPD website
• St. Paul Crime Statistics
• St. Paul crime prevention tips and sign up for crime prevention newsletter
• File a police report online