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Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Megan Larson, 612-724-3633

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Will Increase Patrols on Water and on Land to Prepare for a Busy July 4th Holiday

July 3, 2024 (Minneapolis) - Ahead of July 4^th, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced it will have an increased presence both on water and on land around Hennepin County for the holiday and into the weekend. In anticipation of the rise in people and boats in and on water around the county, Water Patrol deputies are releasing a few tips and reminders as residents and visitors make outdoor plans. 2024 has already surpassed all of 2023 in drownings and the HCSO wants to make sure everyone enjoys the water safely.  

HCSO wants to remind the community that boating while intoxicated laws mirror impaired driving laws. If boaters are over the legal limit of .08 BAC, they will be arrested and face criminal and civil sanctions, such as potential jail time and revocation of their drivers’ license. The HCSO has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence and call attention to the heavy penalties associated with boating while intoxicated.

With high water levels on both the county rivers and lakes, risks to safety are greater. Here are some safety tips to remember:  

• Boaters need to check signs at boat launches as there may be “no wake” restrictions on some lakes. While the HCSO doesn’t determine high water restrictions, deputies do enforce them.
• If residents decide to kayak, paddle board, or boat along the rivers, stay away from the shore. There are higher risks due to obstructions.
• Boats are required to have a fire extinguisher if the engine or fuel tanks enclosed on at least three sides.
• Make sure to have enough life jackets – and the correct sizes – for every person on board; wear them!
• “Own Your Wake.”
  • Be aware of your environment.
  • Stay away from shorelines, docks, structures and other watercrafts.
  • Minimize repeated passes.
  • Respect others.
• Drowning is silent, wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Lake Minnetonka has life jacket loaner boxes for guests at the following landings: Grays Bay, Spring Park Bay, and Maxwell Bay.

"We will have extra Water Patrol deputies on some of the busiest lakes and rivers around the county proactively working to keep residents and visitors safe while ready to respond to emergencies,” said Dawanna Witt, Sheriff of Hennepin County. “We’ll also be increasing our patrol units on the street to look out for criminal or dangerous activity such as impaired driving. We want our residents and anyone visiting Hennepin County to have fun on July 4^th, but our priority is safety.”

To date in 2024 there have been 19 water emergencies and 15 drownings. The number of drownings is already more than the total number of drownings in 2023. On July 4^th, the Sheriff’s Office is anticipating seven to 10 thousand boats on Lake Minnetonka alone.

For more information on boating requirements and safety tips, visit www.hennepinsheriff.org.

– HCSO–

Look for more news on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website at hennepinsheriff.org.