4th Precinct protests delay Minneapolis police response times

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minneapolis police response times to Priority 1 calls in the Fourth Precinct have gone from an average of five minutes and 23 seconds in April to six minutes and 17 seconds in November. MPD sources believe the increase in response time is directly attributable to officers protecting the Fourth Precinct during Black Lives Matter protests.

Priority 1 calls include life-or-death situations, like a baby who is not breathing. Response times to less-urgent calls, like shots fired, were an average of 10 minutes and nine seconds. VIEW DOCUMENTS – Requested data on Minneapolis police response times

In the neighboring Fifth Precinct, response times went from five minutes and 31 seconds in April to six minutes and three seconds in November. Police sources say the occupation of the Fourth Precinct is affecting citywide response times.

Minneapolis police said this delay is not currently a threat to public safety, but would not say how long of a delay it would take to become one.