You might think Minneapolis or St. Paul are the epicenters for DUI arrests in Minnesota, but that distinction actually belongs to the southwestern suburb of Edina.
According to the data, the Edina Police Department arrested 476 individuals for impaired driving in 2017. That number is good for second on the list in terms of total arrests, trailing only Minneapolis with 570, but Edina outpaces Minneapolis by seven-fold when arrests are analyzed on a per capita basis. Moreover, Edina has one-sixth the population of St. Paul, but the city’s officers logged 12 more DUI arrests that officers in the capital city.
Why Edina Leads The Way
So why is Edina the DUI capital of Minnesota? Are Edina residents getting behind the wheel after drinking at a much higher rate than other Minnesotans, or are other factors at play? Here’s why police and citizens believe Edina has the most DUI arrests per capita in the state:
- Most of the DUI arrests occur along freeways that thread through town, which means speed limits can vary quickly.
- Edina police admit to having a heavy presence on the road.
- Edina police say that the number one citizen complaint is for driving related actions, and the department takes these concerns seriously.
- The department has one officer on staff who focuses solely on DUI arrests. The position was made possible by a four-year grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety.
- The DUI-focused officer was responsible for a whopping 135 DUI arrests in 2017.
- Police admit to sitting in hidden locations, like under overpasses or on an on ramp.
- One citizen mentioned that she believes individuals who live in the suburbs and head out for a night in the Twin Cities may be less likely to use ride sharing services since they need to travel further, and this could lead to a increase in DUIs.
So Edina residents, let’s make it a point to make smarter decisions in 2018. That being said, if you make a mistake, follow it up with a good decision by calling the lawyers at Appelman Law Firm. We have represented Edina residents in the past, and we are very familiar with the Hennepin County court system. If you need legal help after a DUI or other criminal charge, contact Avery Appelman and his team of experienced legal professionals today.
