Overview
- Officials announced the launch on Wednesday as Minneapolis police joined the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Minnesota BCA and the State Patrol in the seasonal campaign.
- Law enforcement said this year’s operation removed 47 violent offenders and nearly 50 guns and that the five‑year effort has produced roughly 383 arrests and about 144 guns taken off the streets.
- Authorities said the effort targets safety at large summer gatherings, including Pride events, Taste of Minnesota, the Aquatennial, World Cup watch parties and the U.S. Special Olympics.
- The operation is unfolding while First Precinct Inspector Bill Peterson serves as interim Minneapolis police chief after Brian O’Hara’s recent resignation, and the city plans a national search for a permanent chief.
- Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt framed the campaign around visibility, accountability and partnership, and federal and state involvement increases shared resources and scrutiny of MPD practices.