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.