At its May 22 meeting, the City Council accepted a $36,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to help the Police Department prevent auto theft by using enhanced crime analysis.
Currently, the Police Department spends a considerable amount of time and effort to stop auto theft. These efforts include using a bait car, assigning officers to auto-theft details, evidence collection technology and other tactics.
By using data-driven tactical and strategic auto theft analysis techniques, the department will enhance investigative activities and information sharing, increase auto theft recoveries and arrests, and increase public awareness. The overall goal is to reduce the incidence and impact of automobile thefts in Roseville.
With this grant the police department will make the Investigative Aide a full time position throughout the two year grant term. The Investigative Aide will dedicate time to performing auto theft crime analysis and providing information sharing and outreach. The efforts include:
- Using tactical analysis to identify series, patterns, trends and auto theft hot spots
- Using strategic analysis to research and analyze long-term problems
- Developing and linking local intelligence to identify criminals and known or suspected criminal groups
In 2016, the department responded to and investigated 77 confirmed thefts and 40 recovered vehicles, some stolen from Roseville while others were stolen from surrounding communities. Through this opportunity, the department anticipates a reduction in the incidence and impact of auto thefts in Roseville, allowing officers to dedicate more time to other serious crimes.