[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz announced today that the Minnesota State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) 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.

“I am grateful to the Minnesota State Patrol, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Metro Transit for their continued efforts and collaboration to create a safer Twin Cities,” said Governor Walz. “By partnering at the state, local, and federal level we are getting illegal guns and drugs off our streets, putting a stop to dangerous street racing, and working to keep Minnesotans safe.”

“Whether it’s our BCA agents or our State Patrol troopers, we are always on the job somewhere, 24 hours a day, in every part of the state to make sure we are keeping people safe. This is what we do and what we are passionate about,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington. “We will continue engaging with our public safety and community partners in Minneapolis and across Minnesota to ensure safety, and promote service and justice.”

“This violent and often organized criminal activity is why the BCA reassigned significant investigative, analytical and laboratory resources this spring and why it is so important for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, forensic labs and our prosecutorial partners to work together to combat these crimes,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans.

“Metro Transit police officers are doing commendable work, spending countless hours proactively patrolling our system and responding to calls for service,” Interim Metro Transit Police Chief Rick Grates said. “But we know that no police department can improve public safety on its own. We are grateful to be working alongside partners who can build on what we are able to do, including the state law enforcement agencies whose presence in the communities we serve has been and will continue to be invaluable.”

In July, Governor Walz highlighted the Minnesota State Patrol’s successful efforts to address crime and gun violence in the Twin Cities throughout the Summer. The State Patrol have made hundreds of traffic stops in an effort to help stop illegal street racing, dangerous driving, and other criminal activity. Those traffic stops led to dozens of DWI arrests and more than 100 citations for driving without a valid license.

Governor Walz has deployed the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) to work to reduce the rise in crimes involving guns, carjackings, street racing and other violent crimes plaguing metro communities. The State Patrol significantly increased its presence around the Twin Cities this summer by adding 20 additional troopers and aviation resources to designated areas.

The BCA and its partner agencies are focused on homicides, shootings and other gun-related crimes. Since their effort began in the spring, the BCA and its violent crime initiative partners have also worked to disrupt robberies and aggravated assaults and continue to pursue and arrest individuals wanted on felony warrants.

    Felony arrests: 388
    Illegal firearms seized: 244
    Fentanyl pills recovered: 19,037

Since spring, Governor Walz allocated nearly $7 million federal American Rescue Plan funds towards the state’s public safety efforts. These funds are being used to combat violent crime and support victims of crime across the state.