Ramsey County Prosecutor: Multi agency focused on ‘non -fatal shootings’ that shows success

More arrests, less weapons in the streets and a fall in the shootings: prosecutors and investigators say that a new personalized approach for shootings that are not in Ramsey County is working.

Everything is part of the “non -fatal shooting initiative” of the County Office, which, since the beginning of 2024, has been approaching the crime in a unique way.

Through federal and state funds, a dedicated prosecutor from the lawyer’s office and investigators both in the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) and in the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) have focused on raising non -fatal shootings at a much higher level of investigation.

“We are actually investigating these cases as if they were homicides, because that, in essence, is what they are failed homicides,” said Commander Nikkole Peterson, from the SPPD, 5 Eyewitness News. “We are focusing more on evidence, we are looking for surveillance video, we are looking for forensic evidence,” he added.

For perspective, SPPD reports that there were 33 homicides in 2024, but more than 100 shootings.

Peterson says they have eight dedicators dedicated, with two of them on guard 24/7. Now, after more than a year, those involved say the results show that they are having an impact.

According to the Ramsey County Prosecutor’s Office, in St. Paul, arrests, or the authorization rate, connected with non -fatal shootings increased to 64% in 2024, compared to 37% of the previous year. And, the County Prosecutor, John Choi, says that 90% of them have led to charges.

“Our initial goal was only to exceed 50%, we thought it would be great,” Choi said.

“You have to be really intentional about this.

Part of this initiative includes the creation of the “Emergency Fund for Victims Testimony”, which, according to the County Prosecutor’s Office, helps with the security needs of those directly affected by the shootings. Choi says he has led more victims to share information about shooters, as they often know who we

Actually, it was a trip to Denver who really rolled this ball: Choi said that he and a group shaded the department to learn how they implemented a similar effort.

The dedicated RCSO unit has focused on preventing crimes with firearms from occurring. Since the initiative began, the Sheriff’s office team has taken at least 50 firearms on the street.

“We are there every day.

“Our goal is to get all the weapons from the streets that we can, save lives and make the community a safer place and make people feel safe,” Sergeant. Kill aggregate.