DPS cracking down on Metro Transit safety and street racing
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz, alongside Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, announced on Thursday that the Minnesota State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will continue their ongoing, increased public safety presence to address crime and gun violence in the metro area at least through the end of the year.
One of their main focuses is improving safety of Metro Transit buses and light rail trains (LRT). Since the pandemic, ridership on LRT and buses has seen a steady increase, which is making Metro Transit police a lot busier.
"I take the light rail every day," said Alyssa Moore, who is a student at the University of Minnesota, "I feel pretty safe just because there are a lot of other people with you."
Like many police departments across the country right now, Metro Transit Police say there are not enough officers to respond to all the needs. Right now, they are down 28 officers compared to this time last year, yet there are 6,000 more calls for service in their system.
"They're very busy, and it's not that there's 6,000 crimes happening," said Interim Metro Transit Police Chief Rick Grates. "It's lost kids, medical emergencies, people in crisis."
New this year, Metro Transit Police are utilizing real-time cameras that are helping police and EMS respond to emergencies more efficiently.
Riders tell WCCO they are noticing the difference.
"One time I was in a train and somebody apparently had a gun, and they stopped the train and responded really fast, I would say," said Mohamed Abdi, a frequent LRT and bus rider.
The Department of Public Safety is also tackling street racing in a big way. Just this past weekend, Commissioner Harrington says state police made 34 total speed racing stops and three arrests.
"We're making arrests, we're taking guns off them, we're towing in cars that don't have VINS," said Harrington.
He also says the BCA made over 300 felony arrests, seized over 200 firearms and recovered more than 19,000 fentanyl pills this year.
"We're going to hold you accountable," said Harrington.
The BCA warns of the national trend of "rainbow fentanyl," which is being mistaken for candy. They said it's in Minnesota and they seized the first of its kind in Mankato last week.