Crime and Urban Policing

Minneapolis has recorded more than 1,000 auto thefts in January and February 2026—about a 35% increase over the same period last year in a city of roughly 430,000 people—intensifying pressure on Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey over crime and deterrence. A Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson acknowledged the force remains 'understaffed' after losing around 40% of officers since the 2020 George Floyd fallout and highlighted that MPD does not pursue stolen vehicles, a key difference from neighboring St. Paul, which has seen car thefts fall with more focused enforcement. Chief Brian O’Hara has also blamed Trump’s federal Operation Metro Surge as a 'contributing factor' that pulled officers off normal duties. Retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, now a Republican congressional candidate, told Fox News Digital that the surge reflects a 'deterrence problem,' accusing Walz and Frey of tolerating a 'revolving door' for repeat offenders, especially juveniles. The spike and policy rift are feeding a broader national argument online over whether local non‑pursuit rules, depleted departments and juvenile‑justice limits are driving surges in property crime in big, Democratic‑run cities.