Winona Police Department Year End Report

January Through December 2003

It is with a great sense of pride that the Winona Police Department releases the year end report for 2003. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the strict enforcement of the drug and alcohol laws is having a tremendously powerful and positive effect on this community and the safety of its’ citizens. We have, since the inception of the Community Policing Philosophy in 1996, realized a real reduction of actual criminal offenses of approximately 48%, from 5320 in 1995 to 2793 in 2003. Part 1 crimes, which are the most serious crimes, have been reduced by nearly 50% over the same time period, from 1496 in 1995 to 753 in 2003. The most dramatic reductions of crime have been realized in the following categories; Felony Theft, from 1226 in 1995 to 550 in 2003; Other Assaults, from 294 in 1995 to 193 in 2003; Vandalism, from 851 in 1995 to 468 in 2003 and Disorderly Behavior, from 621 in 1995 to 218 in 2003.

The Patrol Shifts and Narcotics Investigators have teamed up very effectively to secure 132 actual narcotics offenses in 2003 with 88 of them being felony offenses. The primary drugs being sold and possessed in the City of Winona are Crack Cocaine (38%) of cases and Powder Cocaine ( 47%) of cases. Sixty-seven of the cases were for sale and 18 were for possession of drugs. These numbers accurately reflect the drug problem being experienced in Winona. Cocaine is being imported to Winona, primarily by gang members from the Twin Cities and Chicago areas. They continue to recruit locals to help with the drug delivery within the community. The Police Department continues to make arrests based on information supplied by citizens and the utilization of informants. We must continue to hold these drug dealers accountable and hold the potential of lengthy prison sentences over their heads.

The efforts of the local Universities to help address binge drinking in Winona has aided law enforcement in its’ pursuit of responsible drinking in the community. The walking beats around the Winona State University neighborhoods and the downtown areas has helped to decrease disorderly behavior and vandalism complaints from citizens. The limiting of kegs and the Landlord Responsibility Ordinance have resulted in house parties that, for the most part, are smaller and less chaotic for neighbors. I have received many calls from people who reside in neighborhoods that used to experience large, rowdy parties and who now are realizing less problems than before with these disruptive activities.

In closing, we have come a long way with the help of the community and citizens, to provide a safe and healthy community. We should celebrate our success, but not relax our efforts. Dangerous drugs and dangerous dealers continue to find their way into our community. Some of the drug addicts that reside in Winona are responsible for some of the 10 robberies that were reported in 2003. Some of these robberies were very violent crimes and should be a reminder to all of us to continue our efforts. We must all continue to respect one another. We have made great strides to make Winona a safe community for all of its’ citizens and we can all take credit for that.

2003 Crime Statistics Part 1 & 11