FYI (speed enforcement)

Increased speed enforcement in downtown Minneapolis. (Unprecedented levels for downtown)
Watch the Hennepin Ave bridge (both directions) and 394 right after it becomes a 40 mph zone in particular.

Also they're watching red lights, but I'm for that kind of enforcement (though downtown Minneapolis's red light suck, hard to see).

You've been warned.

 

Nice, thanks!

 

THANK YOU SIR. This is much appreciated.

 

you sir are a huge help! lots of great legal info and knowledge on how to handle the system.

 

just downtown? I'll be driving the STI around a lot this week later at night to put miles on the clutch and engine, don't need any extra hassling (it's too slow to speed with now lol but the car does sort of attract attention)

 

I would suggest not going downtown then!

 

Eh all of Minnesota is seeing increased enforcement. But downtown rarely ever sees mere traffic enforcement (if you do something in front of a cop, he may have stopped you, but now they're looking) I don't think this is 1st precinct guys (they have real crimes to deal with), but dedicated traffic guys. I've not seen a 1xx (1st number tells you the precinct the car is from unless it is traffic or some other special division) car doing enforcement down here.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

I was coming home from Eden Prarie from a meeting on 494N. And was doing +74 mph in the Green Prius creeping up on two other cars on my left when I spotted the trooper sitting under a dark bridge about 9pm. It must of taken the other driver another 4 seconds to react when I did. I am starting to notice more unmarked cars and traffic enforcement activities going around.

I heard on the new Hennipen Co. is way over budget on the Police dept's paying out OT. They need to hire more rather than OT, IMO thats where we start getting all the crabby patty cops patrolling and giving us what for!!! It's also amazing some cops make more than the chief!

Anyways always keep an eye out when you're driving even when you just need to do a quick burst to get around all the dumb drivers. Creating options when you're on the road as I call it. LOL

 

Cops like OT (to a point)
And it is still cheaper than new cops

Oh and there are very specific regulations on the number of unmarked (truely unmarked) cars they have.

 

Is there a law regarding "standard" (read: numbered) plates on undercover cars?

 

note to self, avoid Minneapolis like the plague.

 

Not taht I know of. But only a certain percentage of traffic cars may be unmarked. Note that the quasi-unmarked CVs that SPPD has (the ones with the small badge on the doors) are not un-marked cars.

 

I work right at the hennepin Ave bridge and they are out there all the time

 

There has been a heavy presence of State Patrol on west bound 94 around Woodbury Ave for the last week or so during my afternoon commute. They had a K9 unit and a cruiser both with cars pulled over today.

 

hey nm+ how do you come across all this great and helpful knowledge? are you on the force?

 

I live in downtown Minneapolis and have for a few years. This is mainly just niticing a substantial change in practices (I also do ride-alongs reasonably often)
However, I've also worked for a number of city attorney's offices. Not a cop though.

 

thanks for the heads up. I'm working in DT now and I always forget about the speed drop coming in on 394 (not that I take that route often, depends on the client sites I hit).

 

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I want one on Hennepin Ave in uptown that says "Only *******s make unprotected left turns here"
Goddamnit, you're holding up miles of traffic and reducing teh average speed to 10mph.
2 wrongs doesn't make a right, but 3 rights sure do make a left. Use it dammit.

 

Just to add, there is a speed trap on 94 West this evening coming out of downtown. I got caught in it while trying to pass someone on the left

 

I second that. I'm guessing you're talking about Hennepin and Franklin in particular? I avoid using the left lane whenever possible everyday near that intersection, unless there's a bus.

As for speeding on 94 near Broadway, not a good idea. They like to wait just around the curves. Sometimes my radar detector picks them up, sometimes not due to laser. Got me once in my F150 doing 75 and running late for work.

 

Believe me I was standing right next to the downtown precinct 5 mins after the 35W bridge went down, the undercover cars that suddenly turned into cop cars was staggering. The undercover cars are DEFINITELY NOT just plain looking crown vics. There were some weird cars that all of a sudden had blue and red lights coming out of them (dodge minivan was the best)

also I live next to henn. and franklin. INSTALL A LEFT TURN LANE THERE PLEASE GOD.

 

I'm talking about Hennepin from Lake to Franklin, the whole bit.
Hennepin and Franklin is by far the worst. I've starting honking at the *******s who turn there. Add a bus at the bus stop or someone turning right against peds and you've got an even bigger disaster.

 

I hate to admit I turn there all the time, as long as I can gauge if I can make it. Its not like minneapolis cuty planners really left a whole lot of ways to get into kenwood back there north of franklin

 

Yes, exactly this. I have been avoiding minneapolis at all costs since 2003. Worst city in the state, not even close.

oh and before you bring up saint paul, it comes in second IMO.

 

I got to the liquor store there quite frequently:
Right on 22nd
Left on bryant
Left on Franklin

Or there's groveland, which has a protected left

Really? Love Minneapolis and St. Paul proper. Now the 'burbs? Those are often horrible places.

 

West and Southwest burbs 4 lyfe.

Couldn't stand living downtown.

 

Word.

I avoid downtown like the plague.

 

+1

I can deal with St. Paul...but not Minneapolis

 

I live in Downtown and couldn't stand living in the burbs.
The ability to walk home drunk. The fact that I can basically walk to anything, etc.
Driving sucks, but it's pretty easy to get out.