Edina Police to 'Focus In' on Frequent Violations

The Edina Police Department is spending 2013 focusing on various problem areas around town, starting with the dangers of driving with obstructed vision.

Dubbed the "Focus In" initiative, every month will see officers paying special attention to a specific statutory violation in order to both educate the public and gain compliance. All of the issues police will be tackling either pose safety risks to residents or impact quality of life within the city.

"These are often overlooked public safety issues that we want to bring to the attention of our residents,” said Sgt. Tim Olson, who is heading up the initiative within the department.

Citations could be issued in extenuating circumstances, but the program is largely geared toward warning and educating residents who might be caught violating the statutes or codes.

First up, police are going to be paying extra attention to obstructed vision. It's a fitting focal point in January, when drivers often don't properly clear off their vehicles before going for a drive.

Police Chief Jeff Long said it's up to every Edina resident to remember to plan ahead to allow enough time to "clean our windshields before rushing off."

"During the winter months, hurried motorists often fail to take the time to properly clean and clear their windshields from frost and snow," Long wrote on his official blog. "This reduces the driver’s ability to see and puts everyone at risk."

Coming months will see police focus on the failure to signal a turn, unsafe equipment, failure to display headlights, bicycle safety, curfew violations, pedestrian safety, child and seatbelt safety, school bus stop arm protocol, speed in school zones, night and snow paring and the "move over" law.

The statutes will obviously be enforced year-round—as they always are—but officers will simply be paying additional attention to the focus of each month.

More information is available by contacting the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610.

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