In this issue:
-
Commissioner Bob Jacobson: The importance of coming together for service and celebration
-
OTS: Traveling this summer? Don’t forget your safe driving choices
-
ECN: Amateur radio operators serve vital role in their communities
-
Get ready for the new email retention policy
-
Featured social media
 A group of Department of Public Safety (DPS) staff were knighted by the St. Paul Winter Carnival Royal Court last week at the annual DPS Employee Picnic.
It’s hard to believe that we are already into the month of July! I hope your summer is off to a great start and you are able to enjoy some well-deserved time with your family and friends.
The last week of June was very busy at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Our team — led by our Homeland Security and Emergency Management division — stepped up to help Minnesotans as heavy rains and flooding created dangerous conditions and significant concerns from the Canadian to the Iowa border.
The dedication of many resulted in no deaths and a federal disaster declaration, which will help Minnesotans as they recover from the damage. My thanks to all who helped in that success, as well as those who continue to serve our neighbors who were impacted by the floods.
While we supported communities and families across the state, we also took time for our DPS family, with our annual employee picnic. My thanks and congratulations to the team that planned, coordinated and staffed this event, including serving food and keeping us all hydrated. You knocked it out of the park. I have heard nothing but positive comments and excitement about this exceptional day. I love spending time with all of you.
My thanks to all those who were able to attend and enjoy the time together. Our work can sometimes be demanding on our staff, families and loved ones, but I hope this picnic served as another reminder that we support you in the work that you do. Personally, I really appreciate the family atmosphere here at DPS. We know that none of us can do this alone.
My wife, Diane, and I arrived just after 5 p.m. and were met by the Minnesota State Patrol, Maplewood Police Department and members of the St. Paul Vulcans. As we entered the pavilion area, we could see that nearly every picnic table was full, everyone listening to the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty entertaining us all. We could smell the great food, hear the laughter and joy, and feel a real sense of community as our DPS team enjoyed the time together.
As a whole, last week was another reminder that what you all do makes DPS and our state better each and every day. I am honored to be part of this team, and I am always proud to tell others that I am blessed to work with you each and every day.
Thank you all! I can’t wait to see what the team has planned for this picnic for next year!
You can see more photos from the picnic here.
 The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day have a dangerous reputation on the road.
Despite all the rain, summer has officially arrived in Minnesota. As you head to parks, lakes, pools, festivals and all kinds of outdoor fun, don't forget to “pack" your safe driving choices.
The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day have a dangerous reputation on the road. People are traveling to their favorite getaways, summer activities and vacation spots, which makes it even more important to do all you can to avoid a crash.
-
By the numbers: While our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will complete a report for the 2023 data stats, currently the numbers show the 100-day stretch accounted for 165 of the 411 traffic fatalities last year.
-
Fatalities up: This year has been a particularly tragic one on our roads. As of June 25, there have been 192 traffic fatalities reported in Minnesota, compared to 153 fatalities by the same date in 2023.
-
The major causes: There are four main factors that increase the risk for fatalities: speed, impaired driving, distracted driving and not wearing a seat belt.
 Ham radio operators used this tower to communicate during the 2022 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
For amateur radio operators, known as hams, radio communications isn't just a hobby: It's a way to serve their community. There are 11,000 federally licensed hams in Minnesota. The amateur radio operators have chipped in to help during emergencies, volunteered during events and assisted with disaster recovery since the first club was started.
Our Emergency Communications Network (ECN) division provides amateur radio operators with the foundation to support local emergency managers and jurisdictions when needed, providing back-up communication systems and spreading important messages to the community, among other vital services. ECN works with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Auxiliary Communicator program on the training.
-
What they do: Hams have 100 radio repeaters on building rooftops, tower and water tanks. The equipment allows people to both receive and send messages using mobile and handheld radios across Minnesota. They are able to communicate by voice and video on shared channels, working together to do their part to support public safety.
-
How it helps: Hams are an important part of a whole community response to an emergency. They support other volunteer organizations during recovery operations and play a vital role in spotting dangerous weather and storm damage.
-
Community events: They manage medical communications during the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Grandma's Marathon and provide route safety information during the MS-150 charity bike fundraiser and Ride Across Minnesota.
We continue to get closer to Aug. 16, the date DPS will launch a policy that will bring us into compliance with best practices when it comes to how long employees can keep their work emails. When the policy launches, DPS will have a 60-day IT automated retention rule for emails. The 60 days starts from the time you received the email, which means emails that are older than 60 days on Aug. 16 will be automatically deleted.
|
