Violent crime enforcement teams
Overview
This state and federally funded program authorized under Minnesota Statutes 299A.642 was created to provide funding and guidance for the operation of multijurisdictional task forces that address narcotics, gang and related violent crime. The goal is to increase the identification and arrest of serious law violators and enhance the amount of law enforcement expertise available statewide for complex investigations that cross jurisdictional boundaries. There are currently twenty-one funded task forces that span seventy counties. The task forces are staffed by over 200 investigators from over 120 agencies.
To coordinate and oversee these multijurisdictional entities, the 2010 Minnesota Legislature established the Violent Crime Coordinating Council (VCCC) to provide guidance related to the investigation and prosecution of gang and drug crime. The VCCC provides direction and oversight to the multijurisdictional task forces and enforcement teams located throughout the state. The VCCC works closely with the Commissioner of Public Safety and is charged with additional responsibilities governing the operation of multijurisdictional VCETs.
Program Activities and Outcomes
Each VCET provides statistical and narrative reports on a quarterly basis. This information assists the department in allocating funds and analyzing drug and violent crime trends throughout the state.
- 2024 VCET Grantees
- 2022 VCET Map
- 2022 VCET Contacts
Select VCET activities and reported data for 2010, 2021 and 2022 follow:
Activity | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|
Total number of drug arrests | 3,077 | 1,709 | 2,289 |
Percentage of 1st Degree Drug Cases | 12% | 32% | 28% |
Total number of non-drug arrests | 1,121 | 800 | 1,030 |
Percentage of violent crimes (Part 1) | 19% | 19% | 13% |
Number of arrests involving cocaine | 197 | 202 | 207 |
Number of arrests involving heroin | 293 | 268 | 155 |
Number of arrests involving methamphetamine | 1,435 | 1,421 | 1,426 |
Number of arrests involving prescription drugs | 247 | 234 | 260 |
Number of arrests involving synthetic narcotics | 75 | 111 | 106 |
Number of children removed during arrest | 315 | 264 | 303 |
Number of guns seized | 880 | 835 | 1,086 |
Amount of cocaine seized (grams) | 8,982 | 35,797 | 77,105 |
Amount of heroin seized (grams) | 7,348 | 7,137 | 2,674 |
Amount of meth seized (grams) | 522,762 | 556,863 | 518,275 |
Amount of prescription drugs seized (dosage units) | 30,064 | 58,195 | 14,846 |
Amount of Synthetic Narcotics seized (gms) | 2,458 | 20,583 | 7,014 |
Amount of Fentanyl Pills seized (dosage units) | * | * | 211,172 |
Amount of Fentanyl Powder seized (grams) | * | * | 16,603 |
Number of cases coordinated with other agencies | 1,404 | 1,330 | 1,073 |
Number of community presentations given | 156 | 207 | 394 |
Number of people in attendance at community meetings | 4,294 | 8,244 | 16,470 |
Number of Community Outreach Activities | 499 | 302 | 391 |
*Started collecting fentanyl data in 2022
For more information contact:
Kristin Lail, 651-230-3358
Kristin.Lail@state.mn.us