[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the Minnesota State Patrol will partner with the University of Minnesota (U of M) to keep students safe on campus. Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan made the announcement alongside University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel, University of Minnesota Police Chief Matt Clark, and Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Gordon Shank and Lieutenant Colonel Shelly Schrofer.

The Minnesota State Patrol will support the University of Minnesota Police Department by patrolling areas surrounding the campus to keep students safe as they return to class this week. The U of M is also hiring additional community safety officers, expanding the Gopher Chauffer program, and adding additional street lighting and cameras.

“As students head back to campus, we want them focused on having fun and getting the best possible education, not concern for their personal safety,” said Governor Walz. “By creating partnerships with the University and the State Patrol, we can better keep our students, parents, and faculty safe.”

“Our goal is to make Minnesota the best state to raise a family, and a huge part of that is making sure we invest in public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “No family should have to worry about the safety of their child at school – whether that child is in Kindergarten or at the University of Minnesota. We are focused on building these successful partnerships and investing in safety efforts to make this school year safe for all Minnesotans.”

“We’re excited to welcome U of M students and staff back to campus and look forward to a safe school year. Troopers will be visible in their squad cars this week to enhance the work being done by the U of M campus police and Minneapolis Police Department during a busy time on campus,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “This is an extension of the high-visibility patrols that we’ve done in Minneapolis all summer long.”

Today the State Patrol announced it is extending its Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) program through the end of the year. Motorists will continue to see a significant State Patrol presence on freeways around the state while troopers focus on excessive speeding and criminal activity. Through December, troopers will work in teams to saturate specific enforcement areas. In addition to troopers on the freeway, State Patrol aviation will help ensure drivers attempting to flee from traffic stops will be located and held accountable.

Since last spring, Governor Walz has invested nearly $7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds in the state’s public safety efforts to combat violent crime and support victims of crime across the state.