Crime is on the rise in Duluth
By LISA KUNKEL
DCN Reporter
When people think of Duluth, the first thing that typically comes to mind is that it’s a gorgeous city that borders Lake Superior. It’s quiet, it’s relaxing and it’s cold. Words like crime-ridden or dangerous don’t rest on the tips of our tongues.
However, when walking the streets of downtown Duluth, commonly known as the Central Hillside, signs of crime and poverty are almost unavoidable.
“There’s a lot of drugs on the streets,� said Al Bergren, superintendent of the Union Gospel Mission which is located in the Central Hillside. “Robberies, holdups … there’s been a lot up here.�
Though much of the crime does not occur until later hours of the night, Bergren said that drug and alcohol problems are prevalent at all times.
“There’s been a few murders and shootings,� Bergren said. “I think it has a lot to do with drugs.�
Hard crimes like murder have decreased in the city over the years. According to crime statistics provided by the
Duluth Police Department, there was only one reported murder in 2006, far less than the six reported in 2003. However, crimes like robbery, rape and assault have been on the rise over the years.
The statistics report 66 rapes in the city last year. This is a far increase from the 16 that were reported in 2005.
Drugs seemed to be the most noticeable problem the area has been encountering.
“People come here (to Duluth) to set up shop … to deal drugs,� said Candace Thompson, a local resident of the area.
Thompson said she tries to avoid walking the streets alone or even shopping in the area because the problem has gotten so bad.
“I stay out of downtown if I can,� she said. “I don’t trust it.�
Central Hillside resident Carl Deppe, on the other hand, doesn’t notice crime to be a problem in Duluth.
“It’s not too bad,� said Deppe, a Central Hillside resident. “I never see anything.�
Most businesses in the area, however, know not to ignore the issue.
Laura Bohlmann, who owns First Street Exchange Pawnbroakers, said her business has decreased because most people don’t even like coming into the area because of the negative attention some of the bars receive.
“It’s not a great neighborhood,� Bohlmann said. “We see prostitutes getting into cars all the time. It’s happening right outside the door. You see drug deals going on. You see muggings.�
Bohlmann said that another pawnshop nearby was burglarized at gunpoint two years ago. The owner of Twin Ports Pawn refused to comment on the situation.
Bohlmann and Bergren agreed that they don’t think they will ever see a time when crime is not prevalent in Duluth.
“It’s an issue that will never go away,� Bergren said.