A "safety saturation" Thursday in Mower County was conducted by the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics Task Force.

Friday, April 28, 2000

A "safety saturation" Thursday in Mower County was conducted by the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics Task Force.

The results were 34 traffic and other misdemeanor citations issued, 13 canine searches of vehicles and 68 verbal warnings.

Mower County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Terese Amazi described drivers as "curious and courteous."

"It was what we call a ‘safety saturation’," said Amazi. "The drivers were cooperative and all of the canine searches were with consent. I would describe the drivers as being very cooperative."

Participating law enforcement agencies included the Minnesota State Patrol, Dodge, Olmsted and Mower counties’ sheriff departments’ deputies and Austin Police Department.

Canine units from the Mower and Olmsted counties’ sheriff departments and Austin Police Department were used.

The Southeast Minnesota Narcotics Task Force coordinated the six hours of traffic stops Thursday.

Officers were positioned along Highway 56 from Brownsdale to Rose Creek and Interstate 90 from Austin to Dexter 2-8 p.m. Thursday.