Hennepin County Sheriff Ramps Up Patrols, Emphasizes Safety For Fourth Of July Festivities On Lake Minnetonka

As Hennepin County anticipates a bustling Fourth of July, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) is bolstering its patrols across waters and lands. With an uptick in lake and river goers expected this holiday, the Water Patrol deputies are on high alert, sharing safety tips for residents and visitors prepping for outdoor adventures. Joining forces with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Operation Dry Water, the emphasis is on sober boating, mirrored to impaired driving laws, and a stern warning – if you're boating with a BAC over the legal .08, you're facing arrest and stiff penalties.

The waters have been especially treacherous this year, with 2024 already seeing more drownings than all of last year, and the surge in water levels only raises the stakes. HCSO reminds the public of several safety measures, including no wake restrictions that deputies will enforce, despite not setting these regulations themselves. In addition, for those kayaking, paddleboarding, or boating, the recommendation is clear – keep a safe distance from the shore and be mindful of obstructions.

Safety equipment is also top of mind, as boats are mandated to have a fire extinguisher handy, should the engine or fuel tanks be enclosed. But perhaps most crucial is the life jacket, one for every soul aboard and appropriately sized, because, as HCSO puts it, "drowning is silent." To aid in these efforts, Lake Minnetonka has a life jacket loaner boxes at select landings such as Grays Bay, Spring Park Bay, and Maxwell Bay, ensuring visitors can safely enjoy their aquatic experiences.

According to a release from HCSO, Sheriff Dawanna Witt has expressed that while fun on July 4th is a given, her office's priority staunchly remains on safety. Additional deputies on both land and water will be deployed, their eyes trained for potential hazards or illicit activities, including impaired driving. Given the anticipated seven to 10 thousand boats that will dot Lake Minnetonka this Independence Day, this increase in vigilance seems both timely and necessary.

For those seeking more information on boating regulations and safety protocols, the HCSO website provides a plethora of resources. With 19 water emergencies and a troubling 15 drownings already cast over this year, the HCSO's dedication to preparedness and principles of water safety couldn't come at a more critical juncture.

SOURCE: hoodline