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Crime & Safety

It's Road Construction Season, Lakeville

Chief Vonhof: "To reduce delays and the number of crashes related to the construction zones, it is advisable to plan ahead and take an alternate route if you can."

Many motorists driving around Lakeville this summer will think the saying that in Minnesota we have only two seasons: winter and road construction, could not be more accurate. We have just finished (hopefully) with a spring of record breaking snowfalls and now, almost right after the snowplows are finishing clearing the streets of snow, there are a number of State of Minnesota, Dakota County, and City of Lakeville roadway repair and improvement projects going on across the city that will last until the end of this year.

The first project is the bridge and roadway work on Interstate 35E in Burnsville started last weekend that has closed southbound I-35E traffic for 30 days. That will be followed by roadway work on I-35E through Burnsville that will reduce the roadway to a single lane in both directions through June. Then roadway work through Lakeville on I-35W will reduce the roadway to a single lane in both directions through November of this year.

In addition, Dodd Boulevard from just north of our Police Station on 183rd Street, up to the intersection with Hayes Ave will be under construction and closed to through traffic most of the summer. This project will also construct a roundabout intersection at Dodd Boulevard and Highview Avenue to help improve the flow of traffic at that intersection. All of these projects will have an impact on the traffic flow through town, especially during rush hours. We recommend that you check on the City of Lakeville website for the exact scheduled dates and times of the road closures or lane restrictions due to the construction.

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To reduce delays and the number of crashes related to the construction zones, it is advisable to plan ahead and take an alternate route if you can. If you have to drive through the construction zone, make sure that you reduce your speed and be alert for workers and equipment. Every motorist can help to make it safer around construction zones.

CRASH REQUIRES EXTRICATION BY LFD RESCUE

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Officers Bob Doerfler and Chris Gartzke responded to a crash at an intersection of Dodd Boulevard and Icenic Trail last weekend that caused significant damage to the two vehicles involved. The roadway was closed off for about one half hour while firefighters from the Lakeville Fire Department Rescue Unit extricated one driver from one of the vehicles. Fortunately, there were no life threatening injuries. The crash was caused when one vehicle failed to yield right of way in the intersection.

GOOD POLICE WORK

Many times solving a crime through good police work is just a combination of hard work and determination. Officer Jeremy Lerfald was following up on the investigation of a “hit and run” traffic crash involving a bicyclist by driving around the neighborhood looking for the type of car that would be a match to physical evidence left at the scene of the crime. After spending some time checking through the area, he eventually did drive by a house with the type of car parked in an open garage that matched the suspect vehicle. Officer Lerfald stopped by the residence and spoke with the registered owner of the vehicle. The owner confirmed that there was damage on the car, matching where the bicyclist would have had contact with the car. The owner of the car explained that a family member had been driving the car. Officer Lerfald spoke with the family member, who admitted to the traffic offense of leaving the scene of a traffic crash. The case will be forwarded to the prosecuting attorney for charges. 

WEEKLY LPD SNAPSHOT

Sampling of LPD activity for the week of May2 – May 9, 2013

Traffic crashes 10 Alarms 24 Animal Calls 36 Medical Emergency Calls 39 Thefts 18 Traffic Stops 137

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