August 3, 2020 – Breaking News – DailyMail

Minneapolis police has advised people to give up their purses and cellphones if they are attacked as the city battles a surge in violent crime.

The city’s beleaguered police department – which is struggling to cope with less officers and a huge increase in violent crime since the death of George Floyd – has issued a list telling residents how to protect themselves in the current climate.

Some of the examples on the list include; ‘carry only items you need and carry less cash; be prepared to give up your cellphone and purse or wallet; don’t fight with the criminal; remember your safety is most important.’

Minneapolis police are down at least 100 officers in the last two months — more than 10% of the force.

Over the past two months, 40 police officers have either resigned, been fired or are in the process of leaving.

Another 75 officers have taken medical leave for post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of the riots that followed Floyd’s death.

(Police are investigating a man’s death in north Minneapolis and a two other shootings near downtown that have left four people injured, amidst troubling increase in crimes. Courtesy of WCCO – CBS Minnesota and YouTube. Posted on Aug 1, 2020.)

Residents in Minneapolis have complained that police are taking longer to respond to emergency calls as the police staffing shortage comes alongside the crime wave.

The struggling Minneapolis Police Department last week offered a list to help people to navigate the city’s recent surge in violent crimes.

Some of the tips offered by police to prevent robberies include not to walk alone and to be ‘hyper-aware’ of your surroundings at all times.

The list also suggests that residents carry less cash and are prepared to give up their cellphone and purse or wallet.

Residents are also advised not to fight with the criminal to protect their safety.

Since Floyd’s death, some residents have complained of slow police responses and sometimes no response at all, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

One Minneapolis resident, Leslie Bowden, who lives in the area surrounding Floyd’s memorial – a long troubled neighborhood that has been the site of several shootings in recent weeks – told the paper that she calls police as a last resort, mostly when she hears gunshots.

(The person dubbed the “Umbrella Man” on social media, who was captured breaking windows at an AutoZone, was identified by Minneapolis police as a white supremacist. Courtesy of ABC News and YouTube. Posted on Jul 29, 2020.)

Continue reading… ‘Hand over your cellphone if you’re attacked’: Minneapolis police issue new advice as they struggle to cope with less officers and a surge in violent crime since the death of George Floyd in the city

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The Minneapolis Police have offered the following Robbery Prevention Tips

• Don’t walk alone

• Be hyper-aware of your surroundings at all times, don’t be distracted

• Carry only items you need and carry less cash

• Be prepared to give up your cellphone and purse or wallet

• Have your keys already in your hand as you approach your vehicle

• Don’t fight with criminal, remember your safety is most important

• Be a good witness, be prepared to tell police how many suspects, what age, height, complexion, hair and eye color and any other descriptive features, as well as any weapons they had, what they left in and what direction they went.

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