Metro Area Street Crimes Unit Still Throwing Bad Guys Behind Bars

The capture of Garten is credited to the partnership of the Metro Area Street Crimes Unit.

It was formed this past summer due to concerns of rising crime.
 
It is a special force that has been putting offenders behind bars.

Moorhead Police joined the unit last November and its helping catch dangerous criminals.
 
“A lot of bad guys have been caught because we’ve been doing it,” says Lt. Shannon Ruziska of Fargo Police.
 
Dozens of cases have already been solved because of these law enforcement agencies collaborating.

Some of the cases you may have heard of are the recent Spirit Shop robbery, the Ashley Hunter double homicide case and the Jeffrey Garten hit and run.
 
“This is a great example of collaboration and how we work well between cities, and between agencies. And also incorporate our metro street crime unit as well,” says Lt. Tory Jacobson of Moorhead Police.
 
A reason for the success of this unique unit could be attributed to having members from all over the metro are able to work together.
 
Ruziska explains, “The street crime unit is to bring all local law enforcement agencies, regionally; I should say Cass and Clay County, Moorhead, West Fargo and Fargo all together we have members in the Street Crimes Unit so we can share information.”
 
The Metro Area Street Crimes Unit has at least one person from each department.

It’s been around for nearly a year and the forces are still going strong.
 
Ruziska adds, “We’re actually able to go out when they give us a case like, ‘Hey go get this guy or find this guy or find out what’s happening’ they can dedicate their time to just that one issue. So they’re a great benefit to all the local agencies.”
 
Ruziska is stepping into the new role as supervisor of the Metro Area Street Crimes Unitt.

Still learning the ropes, he plans to keep things the same if there’s nothing broken.
 
“Right now I’m just learning, like I said. I don’t want to make any decisions or propose any changes to the chiefs and sheriffs until I get a good feel for what the best direction to go is,” says Ruziska.
 
Ruziska says due to the positive feedback, there are no plans to get rid of the Metro Area Street Crimes Unit.