In this issue:
- BCA: Work moving forward on expungements tied to cannabis and Clean Slate legislation
- DVS: Personalize your vehicle with one of nine new special license plates released this year
- State Patrol: The Minneapolis cougar adventure
- Commissioner's corner: Recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
- Featured social media
 Our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is hard at work preparing to implement a pair of decisions by the Minnesota Legislature that mandated expungement of certain criminal history records, removing them from public view.
The Adult-Use Cannabis Act and the Clean Slate Act passed last spring by lawmakers identifies what types of records (convictions, arrests, juvenile records, etc.) can be seen and by whom. Public data from criminal history records can be viewed on the BCA's Criminal History System (CHS) website.
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By the numbers: Based on our initial analysis, more than 66,000 criminal history records are eligible for automatic expungement under the Adult-Use Cannabis Act.
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Timeline: Cannabis-related expungements will begin in mid-2024, and we anticipate Clean Slate-related expungements will be implemented to meet the January 2025 deadline.
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Stay informed: We will continue to post updates on our progress on the BCA’s website. Anyone who needs access to records expunged under the recently passed legislation can also visit the expungement webpage to learn more about that process.
Learn more here.
 Our Driver and Vehicle Services division debuted its blackout plate design at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.
Car enthusiasts from across Minnesota have been asking our Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division for more options to express their individuality through special license plates. This year we answered with a record number of special plates, some of which are now available for purchase.
We will add nine new special plates in 2024. A number of charitable foundations will benefit from the new plates, which include professional sports teams' charitable foundations and two nonprofits. DVS will also offer Minnesota's version of a blackout plate, featuring a solid black plate and white lettering.
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Now available: Plates available to purchase as of Jan. 1 include the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx, Lions Club and blackout.
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Cost: The new special plates will cost $15.50 and require a minimum annual contribution of $30.
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Get yours: The Vikings and blackout plates will be stocked and available for same-day purchase at deputy registrar offices as inventory allows. All plates will be available to order online at mn.gov or in person at a deputy registrar office and mailed out to the recipient.
Learn more here.
 This photo from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shows an example of a cougar in the wild.
By Trooper Mike LeDoux
In the early morning hours of Dec. 4, a Minneapolis Lowry Hill neighborhood became an unexpected host to an unusual visitor. A home surveillance camera documented a cougar calmly striding down an alley, capturing the attention of residents who spotted the big cat on their security cameras and noticed fresh paw prints in the snow. This intriguing incident quickly became the talk of the town, drawing warnings from both the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. Parents were advised to keep a close eye on their children and supervise small pets outdoors.
Our partners in other state agencies notified the Minnesota State Patrol as well. While the State Patrol doesn’t usually deal with wild animals, our troopers are out on Minnesota’s roads every day. There was a good chance a trooper could catch sight of the cougar and help the DNR keep track of it.
However, the story took a tragic turn on Dec. 6 when the sightings abruptly ceased. West metro troopers responding to a crash on Interstate 394 at Theodore Wirth Parkway discovered a large cat, later confirmed as a cougar, dead in the roadway. Trooper Luke Moren, after speaking with the 53-year-old driver, learned that the driver was unharmed, but his SUV suffered severe damage. The evidence suggested that the driver had collided with the cougar and then with the wall while attempting to avoid the animal. Moren removed the cougar from the road and transported it to the DNR with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
DNR analysis revealed that the 133-pound cougar was a 2-year-old male tagged in Nebraska in 2021 as a cub. Astonishingly, the tracking data indicated that the cougar had traveled 650 miles from Oglala National Grasslands in northwest Nebraska to Minneapolis. The motive behind this long journey was likely a search for food, territory and a mate.
A DNR expert confirmed that the cougar killed in the crash was likely the same one spotted earlier, as cougars are exceedingly rare in that area. Prior to the first week of December, Hennepin County had not seen a cougar in nearly two decades.
In a noteworthy decision, the DNR plans to transfer possession of the cougar to the Minneapolis Park Board. The park board intends to commemorate the incident by creating an educational exhibit featuring the cougar, to be displayed at Minneapolis recreational centers. However, preparing the cougar for display is a meticulous process that could take up to a year, with an estimated cost of $11,700. The park board plans to fund this endeavor using its budget, along with public donations, for the taxidermy and display, turning a tragic incident into an educational opportunity for the community.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day gives us the chance to express gratitude to our employees working to keep Minnesota safe.
State Patrol troopers protect our roads, ensuring safety as motorists travel from point A to point B. They assist fellow law enforcement partners and provide school bus and commercial vehicle inspections. Meanwhile, the team at the State Capitol is on a mission to make the building and its surroundings a safe place for visitors, allowing everyone to explore without worry.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division agents work diligently behind the scenes. BCA agents tackle a variety of cases, from homicides to financial crimes, while AGE agents ensure compliance with liquor and gaming laws.
On this special day, we extend our sincere thanks to troopers, security officers, agents and our law enforcement partners statewide.
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