HEAT Patrols to begin again, continue through summer

Krystal Frasier KSTP

The Minnesota State Patrol says its troopers will once again be increasing their presence on highways across the state to focus on criminal activity and motorists who are speeding as part of HEAT patrols.

According to the agency, while the increased patrols began Tuesday in the Twin Cities metro area and last until Aug. 24, an exact date for when the patrols will begin in other parts of the state has not been provided. The State Patrol says a schedule for patrols in other parts of the state will be released soon.

Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) resulted in more than 500 vehicles being stopped during a 10-day period in February, leading to 23 arrests for impaired driving and six arrests for outstanding warrants.

In addition, the agency says troopers also issued citations to:

80 people for driving without a valid license
22 drivers for violating the hands-free cellphone law
13 drivers for failing to move over for a stopped emergency vehicle that had its lights activated
6 people for not wearing seat belts

That specific effort focused on roadways surrounding Minneapolis and the nearby areas, which included I-94 between I-694 and St. Paul, Highway 100 in northern Hennepin County, as well as Highway 494 and I-35E in the east metro area.

The new HEAT patrol will focus on Interstate 94 in St. Paul, as well as I-94 between I-694 and I-394.

According to the State Patrol, it will also increase its presence in the air, and says that will ensure any driver who tries to leave a traffic stop is found. CLICK HERE to learn more about how aviation support helped troopers during HEAT patrols.

As previously reported, the HEAT effort comes as a follow-up from a meeting between Minnesota police chiefs and sheriffs associations, where a discussion was had in regards to how the State Patrol could help support local police departments as they work to fight crime.