Kare11
Twin Cities law enforcement plans team effort for Fourth of July
Public safety leaders are developed a plan to counter dangerous abuse of fireworks during the holiday.
MINNEAPOLIS — Keeping people safe this Independence Day in Minnesota’s largest city will be a group project, with several law enforcement agencies set to team up with the Minneapolis Police on that critical mission.
Thursday night will bring the return of the the Red, White and Boom celebration at Boom Island Park featuring a real fireworks display for the first time since before the pandemic. That event may, in an of itself, contribute to a safer holiday and fewer arrests, according to the MPD Chief Brian O’Hara.
“There’s very obvious risks to using fireworks, which are explosives and you’re not trained in it, particularly when they’re not legal in this state,” Chief O’Hara told reporters Wednesday.
“But we’re hopeful that by the Parks Board bringing this back, that will give kids, families, something to actually do to enjoy fireworks safely. And we believe that, in and of itself, should help us decrease some of the egregious behavior we’ve seen over the last two years.”
The past two mid-summer holidays were marked by teens flagrantly abusing fireworks, firing them out of moving vehicles and lobbing them at first responders. Those tempted to engage in that type of activity will face a swift response, according to the chief.
“If we have some things happen again, groups of people threatening property, we will be looking to make arrests. We will be arresting everyone who is there contributing to the problem. We will seize their fireworks.”
Weather permitting, thousands will converge on the park on the city’s northeast side. Parks Police Chief Jason Ohotto said his agency is relying on the help of the public and Parks Board workers to help maintain order.
They’ll also be making strategic road closures on both side of the river and at Lake Bde Maka Ska to cut down on performance driving and cruising. The closures will apply to vehicles only, so people on foot or on bicycles can still enjoy those parts of the city’s park system.
“People can still walk on the Parkway, bicycle on the Parkway, but we’re hoping to provide a safer atmosphere for people who are coming into the park space, and also disrupting the circular flow of people cruising all day around the lake,” Ohotto said.
“This is our busiest day of the year in the park system, and outside of the fireworks event there are about 184 other parks we’re responsible for ensuring safety and policing throughout the day.”
The Minnesota State Patrol and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will also play key roles in keeping visitors and residents safe. Sheriff Dawanna Witt said that will be happening on both land and water.
“This holiday we should be spending this time letting people enjoy their families and enjoy the reason why we are celebrating this day. We will not allow people to take that away from our citizens who are just trying to enjoy everything that our communities have to offer.”
Parks Superintendent Al Bangoura said the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is delighted to host a traditional gathering on Boom Island. Parks employees will be wearing yellow tee-shirts to offer assistance to those attending celebrations in the parks.
“Across the country you’ve seen people tried drones, laser light shows. What we heard very loud and clear was that the fireworks have a very unique experience for people, and we’re very excited to have them back here again,” Bangoura said.
The LIUNA Local 363 union, which represents park maintenance workers and arborists, is scheduled to go on strike beginning July 4. Bangoura said if that does happen, other crew member will do their best to keep the parks clean.
Chief O’Hara had strong words for those who are tempted to use the holiday as an excuse to make a new viral video placing Minneapolis in a bad light.
“A lot of these teens are from out of town. These are out-of-towners, not people from Minneapolis, coming here and disrupting our residents’ lives,” Ohara told reporters.
“And we’re not going to deal with that. If Mom and Dad don’t know where their kid is we will find out after they tow their Mercedes Benz and they have to pick it up at Minneapolis Police impound.”
It’s unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash, but officials said the boys were all wearing seatbelts.
BIG LAKE, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) reported two teenagers were killed and a third was critically injured after a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Big Lake.
According to the report, a state trooper was traveling south on Highway 25 around 2:45 a.m. when they passed a speeding BMW going northbound.
Officials said the trooper then turned around to conduct a traffic stop but instead came upon a single-vehicle crash scene involving the BMW.
A preliminary investigation showed two 17-year-old boys, the driver and a passenger, were killed. Another passenger, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries, according to the report.
MSP said all three boys lived in Elk River.
It’s unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash, but officials said the boys were all wearing seatbelts.
The victims’ names have not yet been released.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
With so many different options to choose from at the festival, we asked attendees what they liked.
MINNEAPOLIS — The first day of Taste of Minnesota kicked off Saturday in Minneapolis.
Thousands flooded into downtown, sampling from more than 50 food trucks.
But it’s not just yummy eats. Thirty bands will play this weekend on stages across five different “neighborhoods.”
Last year, organizers said there were around 120,000 people in attendance. This year, they say they’ve doubled most everything in the event to meet demand.
With so many different options to choose from at the festival, we asked attendees what they liked.
“This is not your typical tamale,” said Ken as he munched on one from the Chef Shack. “It tastes fantastic; the beans are fresh, the meat is fresh.”
Meanwhile, Emily was advocating for a fish from Ono Hawaiian Plates.
“Oh, my goodness,” she said after the first bite of poke nachos. “It’s not so heavy like some other things around here.”
Remy swears by the burgers at Parlour.
“It’s flavorful,” he said. “Doesn’t need anything else.”
Taste of Minnesota continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
Minneapolis police said the number of people charged will likely increase as officers complete and review their reports.
MINNEAPOLIS — Law enforcement was on high alert in Minneapolis over the July 4th holiday and on Saturday officials provided an update to the number of those arrested in the city.
Starting on Wednesday night, police said officers started tracking posts and invitations on social media, inviting people to come to the city to “attack police and others with fireworks.”
“I don’t think I have to tell you that throwing fireworks at people is extremely dangerous,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed in a press release. “It is dangerous to the people and police officers who were targeted, and it’s dangerous to the people committing these crimes. Two years ago, individuals were permanently scarred from injuries caused by fireworks that were thrown at them. Last year, a young man was seriously injured while attempting to attack another individual with a firework.”
Officials described this year’s response as “robust,” and police reported no one was seriously injured by fireworks. O’Hara thanked all the officers involved in the coordinated effort.
On Saturday morning, police said there were 30 confirmed arrests and five citations. Officials said it was likely that number would increase as reports are completed and reviewed.
Most of the incidents happened in the Dinkytown neighborhood. Officials said the majority of arrests were for felony level PC Riot and/ or Assult 4.
The ages of arrested and cited people ranged from 15 years old to 23 years old.
Police offered a recap of many of the incidents:
- 11:30 p.m. on July 4: A large group of people were throwing fireworks at each other and at vehicles near 4900 Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were cited.
- Just before midnight: Near 14th Street and 4th Avenue South, a group fired fireworks at officers. Four men were arrested and booked.
- Around 12:30 a.m.: People in a vehicle were spotted aiming mortar-style fireworks at pedestrians near the 600 block of 12th Avenue Southeast. An adult and two juveniles were arrested.
- At approximately 1:15 a.m.: A group of men were throwing mortar fireworks at officers near 11th Avenue Southeast and 6th Street Southeast. Two adults and two juveniles were arrested.
- Before 1:30 a.m.: Police saw fireworks being thrown from a vehicle at pedestrians near 11th Avenue Southeast and 4th Street Southeast. Four adults were arrested when police stopped their vehicle.
- Around 1:40 a.m.: A large group was spotted shooting fireworks at people, vehicles and apartment buildings near 12th Avenue Southeast and 6th Avenue Southeast. Police said more than a dozen adults were arrested.
- Closer to 2 a.m.: A group was seen firing mortar rounds and throwing fireworks at police. An 18-year-old man was arrested.
- Nearly an hour later, around 3 a.m.: A group was observed by officers shooting fireworks at squad cars near Cedar Avenue and West Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were arrested.
“I would like to thank the thousands of people who came to Minneapolis last night to celebrate the 4th of July,” O’Hara said. “I hope you had fun. That’s what the holiday is supposed to be about. Fun. It’s too bad I must be talking about being grateful nobody was seriously hurt. I hope you join me and thanking all our law enforcement partners who worked all night to keep the vast majority of people safe.”
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with more information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 612-673-5845.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
