Police say Downtown Fargo is ‘safer’ than 20 years ago

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Lately there has been more and more concerning cases of violence in downtown Fargo. Earlier this month, a man was beaten badly and on Monday night there were numerous gunshots fired near Island Park.

“We have officers in the downtown area,” said Fargo Police Captain Bill Ahlfeldt. “We have officers that are patrolling all areas of the city looking to keep people safe, responding to calls of service and try and prevent crime. When the weather gets nicer. When people start coming out you are going to start seeing calls for service like that in the downtown area and everywhere across the city.”

Sam Pikula was attacked on April 6 while trying to break up a fight. Allegedly there were six suspects involved in the brawl. This left him with a broken nose, broken orbital bones and forehead injury that required surgeons to place a titanium plate in his head.

While Fargo Police is still investigating this case and can’t comment much on it, they do say it’s important to be alert when you are out and about.

“If you see a crime happening or occurring, be a good witness, call the police from a safe location.” said Captain Ahlfeldt.

According to the Fargo Police Department, crime in downtown Fargo has decreased. And that mental health issues have increased.

For Captain Ahlfeldt, who’s been in the region for over 20 years, says things are much different than it was two decades ago.

“So a lot of people say ‘I’m scared of our downtown’, ‘I don’t want to go down to our downtown’. Our downtown is much nicer than it was 20 years ago. In my opinion, safer than it was 20 years ago” said Captain Ahlfeldt.