Coon Rapids Police Ramp Up Road Safety on Northdale Boulevard Using Safe Road Zone Grant

Coon Rapids Police Ramp Up Road Safety on Northdale Boulevard Using Safe Road Zone Grant

By MinneapoliMedia Staff

Coon Rapids, MN — Drivers traveling along Northdale Boulevard in Coon Rapids should expect to see more patrol vehicles and educational traffic stops this spring and summer as part of a renewed city initiative to curb dangerous driving and improve pedestrian safety.

The Coon Rapids Police Department (CRPD) continues to leverage funding from Minnesota’s Safe Road Zone Grant Program, part of the statewide Be Aware. Get There. campaign. The initiative focuses on reducing speeding, distracted driving, and pedestrian-related crashes in high-risk areas across the state. Northdale Boulevard, a major arterial roadway that cuts through several residential and school zones, has become a primary focus of enforcement in Anoka County.

According to police data, Northdale Boulevard recorded nearly 300 traffic-related incidents and collisions in 2024 alone, prompting city officials and law enforcement to act decisively in 2025.

“We’re asking drivers to take extra care — especially near crosswalks, schools, and intersections,” said Lt. Josh Moreland, CRPD’s traffic safety coordinator. “This isn’t just about citations. It’s about education and changing behavior before tragedy strikes.”

🚓 Enhanced Enforcement, Public Awareness & Upcoming Improvements

This spring, CRPD officers have added extra patrols and traffic enforcement zones along Northdale Boulevard, with a focus on educational stops. During these stops, drivers are reminded of Minnesota’s hands-free law, urged to slow down, and encouraged to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially in marked crossings.

In addition to enforcement, new speed limit signage is slated to be installed along Northdale in late July 2025, in conjunction with roadway visibility improvements and driver alert systems near intersections most prone to incidents.

“We’ve seen too many near-misses and avoidable crashes in recent years,” said Mayor Jerry Koch. “The City of Coon Rapids is committed to ensuring that Northdale is safe for everyone — whether they’re walking to school or driving home from work.”

📊 Community Response and Next Steps

Local residents have voiced both concern and support over the increased visibility of police in the area.

“As a parent with two kids at Sand Creek Elementary, I’m glad they’re finally doing something,” said Maria Rivera, a nearby homeowner. “Drivers treat Northdale like a freeway.”

The Safe Road Zone program is funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety and is used across multiple jurisdictions to target corridors with high incident rates.

As the summer months approach — and foot traffic around schools, parks, and trails increases — city officials urge residents and commuters alike to remain attentive and cautious.

WATCH

📌 What Drivers Need to Know:

• 📵 Hands-free law is in full effect – No holding your phone while driving.
• 🚶‍♀️ Yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks.
• 🛑 Expect increased traffic enforcement from May through August 2025.
• ⚠️ New speed limit signs coming in July along Northdale Boulevard.
• 📈 300+ crashes were reported on this road last year alone.

For more information on Minnesota’s Be Aware. Get There. initiative or to access local traffic safety tips, visit dps.mn.gov or follow the Coon Rapids Police Department on social media.