Hundreds of 911 calls and police visits to 1 location prompt neighbors to seek crime solutions

                @keyframes spin {
                    0% { transform:rotate(0deg); }
                    100% { transform:rotate(360deg); }
                }


    Hundreds of 911 calls and police visits to 1 location, neighbors seeking crime solutionsMix of 400+ 911 calls and police visits to 1 location, neighbors seeking crime solutions

Residents in a St. Paul neighborhood are seeking solutions to rising crime at their doorstep, calling for increased enforcement, proactive intervention, and better coordination with police and city leaders.

The location of concern is 444 Maryland Avenue West — police records indicate over 200 emergency calls to a single location this year, involving weapons, drugs, and robbery. 

Steve Dreis, a longtime resident up the road from the troubled spot, shared his concerns.

“It’s the worst. [The] end of the fall was really bad,” said Dreis.

He added that not long ago, gunfire shattered a window, and a bullet ripped through his living room. 

“[It] went right through the couch, into the wall and into the basement, right where my wife lives. That’s her spot to sit. So it would have got her about chest high,” he said.

Sharing a letter with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, property owners near 444 Maryland Avenue West said they are at their breaking point. They expressed their frustration, describing the situation as “extremely dangerous” with “ongoing criminal activity” across the street.

Photos shared with us show evidence of gunshots — in the past two weeks, a worker was nearly hit and a bullet pierced an empty car seat.

Though no one was available for an interview, we asked the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) what it’s doing to address this location, and what people can do if they feel unsafe.

They responded:

“SPPD has been hard at work addressing the concerns with 444 Maryland. A lot of proactive efforts have happened with the business and neighborhood. We also try to deter any crime by having a presence in the area. We partner up with other resources in the community to address the concerns, such as DSI and the City Attorney’s Office as well. 

Many arrests have come from these calls for service. I don’t have an exact count right now, but where you see “RR” in the disposition column, means a report was written. The large amount of “police proactive visits” are also a good thing. It means our officers are in the area and checking in with the business and neighborhood. While they may not make contact with people every time, it’s still good to have the presence of the squad car. 

We encourage neighbors to call 911 if suspicious or criminal activity is occurring. The only way we can stay on top of the concerns is if we know about them. We have community meetings that neighbors can attend to voice their concerns, and they are always welcome to contact the Saint Paul Police Central District if they need anything.“

Police have made over 200 proactive calls, visiting the location to maintain a presence. A police tower with a camera was observed during a visit.

Dreis noted the increased police presence, saying, “They’ve had cameras up at the intersection for probably three, four months now.”

He expressed hope that the police will continue their efforts.

“So I’m glad to see [them],” he said.
The post Hundreds of 911 calls and police visits to 1 location prompt neighbors to seek crime solutions first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.