Minneapolis officials stress safety during July Fourth holiday, increase patrols, close roads

Minneapolis public officials say they're taking a "zero tolerance" approach to violent crime and fireworks misuse during the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The safety officials said during a Wednesday morning news conference that they've been working collaboratively and proactively to establish a safety plan for one of the busiest weekends of the year for emergency responders. 

Related: Where to see fireworks in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Greater Minnesota in 2026

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said her office will be deploying extra patrols in an effort to crack down on impaired driving. Minneapolis Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson said there will be "significant" police staffing, though he said he wouldn't disclose exact numbers.

Todd Barnette, the Minneapolis commissioner of community safety, said officials will have "zero tolerance for anyone coming to the city to disrupt any celebration during this holiday weekend."

He stressed fireworks safety; last year 10 people were injured by fireworks in Minnesota, according to the city.

The Minneapolis 911 office also asked residents to limit their 911 calls to emergencies only, and use the 311 line for noise complaints. Typically the office fields 2,200 calls on July Fourth but after making the same request to residents last year, they received 800 fewer calls, keeping the lines clear for emergencies.

The coordinated effort comes after a series of chaotic July Fourth holidays. In 2023, police arrested more than a dozen people near Bde Maka Ska after people set off fireworks in the street. There was a similar scene in 2024 in Dinkytown.

Minneapolis police and park police will be closing and adjusting several roads throughout the city on Saturday:

• 3rd Avenue Bridge between First Street and Second Street Southeast will close from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• Second Street from Third Avenue to 13th Avenue will have limited traffic.
• Plymouth Avenue Bridge from West River Parkway to Eighth Avenue Northeast will be closed from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• Main Street from Hennepin Avenue to Sixth Avenue Southeast will be closed from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• University Avenue Southeast from Interstate 35W to Oak Street will be limited to one lane.
• Fourth Street Southeast from Oak Street Southeast to Interstate 35W will be limited to one lane of traffic.
• West River Parkway will be closed from 11th Avenue to Forth Avenue North to support the Red, White and Boom! fireworks show.
• The parking lot on Boom Island will be for disability parking only.
• The Stone Arch Bridge will be closed to bicyclists and pedestrians.
• West Bde Maka Ska will be closed from Xerxes to Richfield Road from July 3 to July 5. The ease side of Bde Maka Ska will also be closed from 31st Street to 36th Street.