DPS expands services in 2023, making sure you get the help you deserve
Feb. 20, 2024
Whether you are the victim of a crime, worried about traffic safety or looking to get your driver's license, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) spent 2023 improving our services to make sure you get the help you need when you need it.
“We strive to provide timely, accurate and compassionate service to all Minnesotans," DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. “Not only on your worst day or during an emergency, but when you are making important decisions like buying a smoke alarm or celebrating milestones like getting a driver's license."
We launched some important initiatives last year to serve you and help keep your family safe. Some examples include:
- You can get your questions for our Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division answered in four languages — English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong — via our new virtual assistant on drive.mn.gov.
- If you are among the loved ones of missing Indigenous people, you will have more options to find justice as our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office launched the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Account.
- Our State Fire Marshal division worked alongside your local fire department to get the UrbanLogiq Fire Risk Assessment Tool up and running. The tool gives fire chiefs across the state insight and historical data to prevent fires before they start.
In 2023, we prioritized projects that keep you informed about our work to serve all communities to build a safer Minnesota. The data you can find puts important information at your fingertips now and into the future.
- You can keep track of the number of vehicle crashes our Minnesota State Patrol responded to, review our policies and see how many pursuits troopers take part in via the State Patrol's Data Dashboard.
- You can use data collected in our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's new Minnesota Drug Crimes and Overdose Dashboard to help inform your community's efforts to prevent and respond to drug overdoses, drug-related deaths and drug-related crimes in Minnesota.
You'll soon have easier mobile access and be better able to find information on our website since we began the process of rebuilding it in late 2023.
“Last year saw a lot of changes in our department, but our dedication to Minnesotans remains constant," Jacobson said. “We're looking forward to the challenge and privilege of serving you even better in 2024."
This year is already shaping up to be busy as we construct a new State Emergency Operations Center, launch the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office and unveil a completely updated website among other priorities. We wouldn't have it any other way. It is a privilege to come to work and serve you every day.
