Thousands Arrested In December Minn. DWI Crackdown

ST. PAUL (AP) - Public safety officials say a monthlong DWI crackdown in Minnesota netted nearly 2,400 arrests for drinking and driving in December.

Preliminary arrest totals were reported by 315 of the approximately 400 law enforcement agencies taking part in the statewide crackdown.

During the campaign, the Minnesota State Patrol arrested 455 motorists for DWI. Among Twin Cities agencies, St. Paul police reported 66 DWI arrests, followed by 57 by Minneapolis police and 41 by Bloomington police.

Outside the Twin Cities, St. Cloud police report 44 DWI arrests followed by 42 by Duluth police and 33 by Moorhead police.

The stepped-up DWI enforcement will continue through the end of September in 13 Minnesota counties with the highest number of DWI deaths and serious injuries over the last three years.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)