After several years of July Fourth violence, law enforcement step up safety measures in Minneapolis

Minneapolis police are planning for large crowds for multiple events this July Fourth weekend, and they hope to avoid a repeat of the mayhem that plagued the last three Independence Day holidays.

The trouble started in 2022. Late that July Fourth, seven people in their late teens and early 20s were wounded in a shooting at Boom Island Park. Nearby, dozens of people shot fireworks out of moving cars and at buildings and people. Police were caught off guard and no one was arrested. 

In 2023, the Minneapolis Police Department was better prepared, but there was still violence, which also started at Boom Island Park. A group of teens shot aerial fireworks at civilians and police from the nearby Plymouth Avenue Bridge. The chaos spread to other parks and the Chain of Lakes. Authorities arrested more than a dozen people, mostly juveniles. A 17-year-old had to undergo surgery when his own firework exploded in front of him. 

In 2024, prosecutors charged dozens of people with rioting, mainly in the Dinkytown area near the University of Minnesota, in connection with similar incidents involving fireworks being shot at people. There were no reports of fireworks-related injuries or gun violence last year. 

While gun-related crime in Minneapolis has spiked around July 4 for the past five years, crime statistics overall are trending downward. According to the city’s online dashboard, offenses including assault, property damage and homicide are fewer in number compared to the same time in 2024, as are shots fired calls and the number of gunshot wound victims.  

At a Wednesday morning news conference at Boom Island Park, O’Hara said a small number of people were directly responsible for the violence on the last three Independence Day holidays, but onlookers contributed significantly to the chaos. 

“I want to be clear, if people within that crowd are encouraging that behavior or are contributing to what can be a riotous situation, those people will be arrested too if they do not disperse,” O’Hara said. “And that’s exactly what we did last year and people got charged for it.”

O’Hara said that MPD officers will be out in large numbers and will have help from other agencies including the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the State Patrol, and Minneapolis Park Police. 

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said that her staff is monitoring social media for signs of large gatherings.

“We’re looking for things such as park takeovers,” Witt said. “Sometimes our young generation likes to invite each other on social media platforms. So that’s a part of being preventative.” 

City officials are also reminding people to avoid calling 911 for fireworks complaints unless life and property are at risk.

Minneapolis 911 Director Jodi Hodne said that residents should call 311 with noise complaints or report them online.

“It’s critical to remember that 911 should only be used for life-threatening or time-sensitive emergencies,” Hodne said. “Calling 911 when it’s not urgent can delay help for someone in real danger.”

Any fireworks that explode or fly, such as bottle rockets and roman candles, are prohibited by Minnesota law. In 2012, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a bill that would have allowed the sale of more powerful off-the-shelf pyrotechnics.

Some streets will be closed this July Fourth, in part to impede troublemakers but also to make room for fireworks spectators. West River Parkway is shutting down between Plymouth and 11th Avenues around midday Friday and will remain closed until Saturday morning, said Minneapolis Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto.

Across the river, Main Street will be closed from E. Hennepin Avenue to 6th Avnue SE. The Boom Island parking lot will be open only to drivers with disability placards beginning at 10 a.m. Friday. Lake Harriet Parkway will be closed from 7 to 11 a.m. to make way for a 10K run.

The Red White & Boom festival — gets underway at 10 a.m. Friday with food trucks, an open-air market and other activities. Fireworks over the river are expected to start at 10 p.m. The Taste of Minnesota is set for Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. each day along Washington Avenue and Nicollet Mall.

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