Law enforcement officials held a press conference Wednesday morning to discuss their plans to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen in Minneapolis on Independence Day weekend in years past.
“We know we have a lot of concerns from residents in our community over what we’ve seen in recent years,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Several people were shot during Fourth of July celebrations in the city in 2022 as fireworks were launched at people and property. The city saw similar lawlessness in 2023 and 2024, though O’Hara said MPD has made progress over the last two years and is better prepared this year.
“If you have intentions of coming to this town to cause chaos, don’t. You will be arrested and we will seek charges against you,” he said.
According to O’Hara, messages began circulating on social media before the Fourth of July last year encouraging people to come to Minneapolis to “attack people and police with fireworks.” But MPD’s actions that year “made it clear this behavior will not be tolerated.”
In a press release, the city said MPD arrested 35 people last year, many of whom were charged with felony crimes, including riot and assault on a police officer. This compares with 16 arrests in 2023 and no arrests in 2022.
“We’ve coordinated a robust citywide public safety plan” for the Red, White and Boom fireworks celebration this year, O’Hara said. MPD has increased staffing throughout the weekend and is using “strategic road closures” in areas that have seen high levels of problematic behavior.
Both the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol will have additional patrols working the weekend and will increase DWI enforcement.
Lt. Michael Lee with the State Patrol said in the last five years, there have been a combined 1,500 DWI arrests on the Independence Day weekend.
Officials also urged residents to use 311 and not 911 for firework noise complaints. However, residents should use 911 if someone is injured, there is an active fire, fireworks are being used recklessly, or a situation is escalating to violence.
Watch the full press conference below:
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
