Latest news with #MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Don't pay for traffic tickets over text: DPS warns of scam messages
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is warning Minnesotans to watch out for scam text messages that appear to be from the 'Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles' or 'DPSMN.' These fake messages claim the recipient needs to pay for outstanding traffic tickets and threaten consequences if they do not pay. Some Minnesotans have received several messages that became more and more demanding, according to the Department of Public Safety. Public Safety will never communicate about traffic tickets or ask for payment through text message. If a Minnesota resident receives one of these texts, here is what the department recommends doing: Do not click on any links in the message, give personal information or send money. Mark the text as spam and delete it without responding. If a recipient is concerned the message is real, they can reach out to the Driver and Vehicle Services division of DPS at with questions. If people have already paid for these fake tickets, they can file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at Who's in charge? CDC's leadership 'crisis' apparent amid new COVID-19 vaccine guidance DOC commissioner asks for patience from Stillwater prison families, dismisses idea of reopening Appleton prison Measles vaccination rates drop after COVID-19 pandemic in counties across the US 40 St. Paul street lights stripped of copper wiring, though reports are down overall Federal law enforcement presence draws protests in South Minneapolis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Department of Public Safety warns Minnesotans of 'Department of Motor Vehicles' scam
Jun. 4—ROCHESTER — Minnesotans are warned of a scam involving fake emails and texts from "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DPSMN)." The message says penalties will be enforced if the individual does not pay their outstanding traffic ticket. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety posted a warning that the agency does not exist. DPS said people in Minnesota can stay safe by reviewing the sender, not responding to the messages and deleting the message. "The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) will never send a text asking for money or saying money is due," the post said. The Rochester Police Department and Olmsted County Sheriff's Office are aware of the scams. They
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: Save your life; buckle up
May 20—You never know what will happen when you hop in your car and go for a drive. Whether you're driving across town to the grocery store, going shopping in the Twin Cities or venturing out on a cross country trip, there's a risk every single time you get into a vehicle. As confident as you may be in your own driving, you cannot predict what may happen around you — whether that's other drivers, deer and the list goes on and on. For that reason and others, law enforcement officers across the state over the next few weeks are promoting all vehicle occupants to buckle their seat belts. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety is coordinating a Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign from May 19 through June 1. During that time, officers, deputies and troopers will spend extra time trying to prevent unsafe seat belt and car seat decisions from risking lives. The effort is thanks to funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the Department of Public Safety, nearly 95% of Minnesotans wear their seat belts, but unbelted riders and drivers make up more than 20% of all traffic fatalities. The state agency states out of the 476 traffic fatalities in 2024, 106 were not wearing a seat belt. From 2019 to 2024, only 68 percent of children ages 0 to 9 who were involved in a car crash were known to be properly secured. Of the children who were properly secured, 87% were not injured and 12.6% sustained only minor injuries, the department states. We encourage all who drive or ride in vehicles to remember these statistics next time you get out on the road. It truly could be the difference between life and death — or serious injury. Remember, seat belts should never be tucked under the arm or behind the back and should be tight and across the hips or thighs. Children must be in a booster seat until they are 9 or have outgrown the booster seat and pass a five-step test. Children under 13 must also sit in the back seat if possible. If you haven't been wearing your seat belts, we hope you will use these next few weeks as an opportunity to get back into the swing of doing so. It can save your life.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Slow down and look up: Extra law enforcement on MN roads starting Thursday
Slow down, Minnesota, look up and buckle up. With the summer travel season approaching, authorities are hoping to put the brakes on speeding and other dangerous driving. Extra law enforcement will be out from Thursday, May 1 through Sept. 2, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety announced on Wednesday. Officers, deputies and troopers from nearly 300 agencies statewide will be participating in the extra enforcement. Here's why: Memorial Day through Labor Day are typically the most traveled days on Minnesota roads and nationwide. 'These so-called '100 deadliest days' carry some of the largest fatal crash counts every year,' according to the DPS' news release. 'To push back against the rise in deadly driving and to try to save lives, law enforcement will be focusing on speeding, seat belt usage, impairment and distraction — the four behaviors that are the largest contributors to fatal crashes.' So far in Minnesota in 2025, there have been at least 15 speed-related fatalities, authorities report. A Minneapolis shooting that left 3 dead and 2 wounded may be gang related, police say Remains of woman missing since 2016 are found in St. Cloud area St. Paul Park Police chief is fourth department head in city to resign since January Charges: Man kills his mother, sexually assaults Burnsville woman the next day No criminal charges against South St. Paul city council member in daycare case
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Day on the Hill addresses disparate violence
The Brief The first "Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Day on the Hill" was held at the Minnesota State Capitol. The event featured community leaders and families of Black women and girls victimized by violence. The Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office was established by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in 2023. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Hundreds of people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Wednedsay as part of the first "Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Day on the Hill", which aimed to raise awareness about the disproportionate amount of violence experienced by Black women and girls. Big picture view Advocates, including local leaders and family members of victims, were shining a light on Minnesota's missing and murdered black women and girls. Among them was Joyce Hayden, whose daughter was killed in a gang crossfire while visiting Atlanta. READ MORE: Minnesota state Sen. Jeff Hayden's sister killed in crossfire in Atlanta She strongly supported the opening of a Department of Public Safety Office dedicated to missing and murdered Black women and girls, which was established in 2023. "This is more than a ceremonial event, though," Joyce Hayden said. "It is a pivotal, pivotal moment, a collective declaration that the lives of Black women and girls matter and that the silence surrounding their disappearances and deaths will no longer be tolerated." READ MORE: Minnesota task force aims to examine missing black women epidemic The office is designed to support affected families and communities and to ensure timely investigations, partly by collaborating with law enforcement. More information on the DPS office can be found here. The Source This story used information from the news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol and past FOX 9 reporting.
