Safety First Newsletter
About the newsletter
Vol. 3, Issue 11, June 10
OTS: ‘100 Deadliest Days’ are no summer vacation for law enforcement
Ride along with Trooper Nicholas Brown to get a sense of what his summer will be like during the so-called “100 Deadliest Days” from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Brown knows that stretch of time is no summer holiday for law enforcement.
"With the snow gone and warmer temperatures, there are a lot more cars on the road and people looking to travel all over the state. With the dry road conditions, people tend to feel more comfortable speeding and that leads to more serious crashes on our highways,” said Brown.
To push back against the increase in danger, our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) runs a campaign to make the roads safe and take summer back from dangerous driving behaviors.
SFM: The mental health toll of fighting fires
St. Cloud firefighter Deelia Guite responded to a deadly fire in 2023, in which a 24-year-old man and his 4-month-old daughter died.
Guite carried the little girl’s body to the paramedics waiting outside.
It was an experience she’ll never forget. She’s grateful for her department and fellow firefighters for giving her the support she needed to get through that difficult day and the days that followed.
“The job doesn’t allow you to relax, never completely,” said Guite. “You’re always on high alert. You’re always thinking next steps.”
It’s no secret there are health and safety risks associated with the fire service.
It might be injuries caused from running into a building, or future challenges like cardiovascular issues or cancer diagnoses. But many people aren’t aware of, or don’t acknowledge, the mental health toll firefighters face.
Commissioner’s Corner: BCA mobile crime lab lets us respond faster across Minnesota
After responding to over 1,200 crime scenes, traveling 81,579 miles across Minnesota, and faithfully serving our Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Crime Scene Team for over a decade, it’s time to say goodbye to our old crime scene response vehicle.
Last week, we welcomed a new addition to our fleet — and it’s built for the future.
At 34 feet long, this new crime scene vehicle is designed to enhance on-scene capabilities with a built-in bump out for added interior space, integrated monitors for team briefings, 360-degree exterior cameras, and a touchscreen control panel to manage it all.
Our BCA is ready for whatever comes next — with the tools to respond faster, work smarter and support investigations across Minnesota.
Featured social media
Scam alert: Don’t get tricked!
People in Minnesota are receiving fake emails and texts from “Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DPSMN)” about outstanding penalties. That agency does not exist — and those penalties likely don’t either.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) will never send a text asking for money or saying money is due.
Stay safe by following these tips:
- Always review the sender; the exact name matters.
- Don’t respond to this scam or open links.
- Delete the message.
Keep up to date to protect your loved ones with the Department of Public Safety on Facebook.