![Police Step up Holiday Boat Patrols on Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/04/Lake-Minnetonka.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Police Step up Holiday Boat Patrols on Lake Minnetonka
MINNETONKA-- Police are stepping up patrols on Lake Minnetonka over the Fourth of July weekend.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water Patrol usually has four patrols on the lake during summer weekends. That number will double to eight this weekend. The Department of Natural Resources also plans to have extra boats on the lake. Sheriff's Lt. Kent Vnuk says each day will see 11 law enforcement boats on the water.
The sheriff's office plans to focus heavily on Big Island, a popular spot where boaters drop anchor for hours. Sheriff's officials say the biggest problem is alcohol. They say boaters drink too much, leading to injuries and medical calls.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Did This Guy Really Just Use His Boat To Break Ice On Lake Minnetonka?](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/11/attachment-Image-Credits-Instagram-User-thequalifiedcaptain.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![3 Boats, Dock Destroyed by Fire on Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/04/boat-overlooking-lake.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hennepin County Installs New Rescue Dock on Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/04/Lake-Minnetonka.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Animal Apparently Chewed Through Pipe That Cause CO Death](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/04/police_line_400x300.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Regulators Drop Boating Rule Legal Fight for Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/04/Lake-Minnetonka.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Authorities ID Woman Killed near Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/10/ambulance11.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cities Seek to Boost Tourism Near Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2010/12/minnesota_news_blue.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Zebra Mussels Spread Rapidly In Lake Minnetonka](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/02/zebra_mussels_250x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)