Shooting Suspect, Impaired Drivers And Hundreds Of Speeders Stopped During HEAT Patrols
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An aggressive effort to crack down on speeding and crime in Minneapolis is warranting results.
The Minnesota State Patrol said a suspect wanted in multiple shooting investigations was arrested overnight after a high-speed chase.
"We are still seeing great success with the program, which means drivers are paying attention seeing us and hopefully making better decisions," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Matt Langer said.
The increased law enforcement presence is a part of the ongoing HEAT patrols, a 10-day crackdown on speeding and criminal activities between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. The first three nights focused on the Interstate 94 corridor between downtown Minneapolis and Interstate 694.
"It had been this stretch where we had seen two shootings on the freeway. It's also been a place where violent crime had been plaguing neighborhoods on either side of the freeway," Langer said.
Since the patrols began on Valentine's Day, troopers stopped 371 drivers for speeding and 16 drivers for suspected DWI. Seven drivers were arrested for outstanding warrants. Another 20 were either cited or given a warning for driving distracted.
"Even after the first three nights in north Minneapolis, the average speed traffic was flowing at was much lower than the first night," Langer said.
He added that troopers have expanded out to other areas of the metro. So far, they have received positive feedback from the community and other law enforcement agencies.
"Our work isn't going to be permanent in terms of change, but it's making a difference right now and we hope over the long term it makes our roads safer," Langer said.