Keeping Dakota County safe
Dakota County emergency response, traffic safety, and Homeland Security updates
By Joe Atkins | Dakota County Commissioner | May 2025
This month I want to highlight an exceptional emergency response that averted a potential disaster in Dakota County, provide an important update on immigration and homeland security enforcement, and share a list of the top 10 county road intersections with the highest crash rates – along with the proactive steps we are taking to make our roads safer.
Emergency response prevents disaster on Highway 52 – If you ever wanted to see the top-notch training and collaboration of our Dakota County first responders in action, look no further than the major propane leak that occurred along Highway 52 in Rosemount on March 19. Initially reported as a possible brush fire, emergency crews quickly identified the true hazard – a dangerous propane leak from a pipeline. Officials from multiple agencies, including Dakota County Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, the Dakota County Special Operations Team and Dakota 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators, sprang into action to protect public safety. To minimize risk, authorities immediately shut down Highway 52 from Highway 42 to Coates, while Dakota County’s specialized teams worked with Flint Hills Resources to contain and depressurize the leaking propane line.
Two nearby families were swiftly evacuated as a precaution and Dakota County authorities deployed a tethered drone and an air monitoring system to closely track the situation. Dakota 911 telecommunicators coordinated all emergency communications, ensuring seamless response efforts. Within six hours authorities deemed the area safe and the highway was reopened. While we hope to avoid crises like this, it is good to know that when the most challenging emergencies occur we have the personnel, skills, training and partnerships in place to effectively respond and protect public safety.
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Immigration & Homeland Security enforcement in Dakota County – A constituent recently reached out with concerns about unmarked vehicles conducting surveillance in their residential neighborhood. Such activity can be unsettling, especially in a neighborhood with many young families and seniors. After looking into it, I confirmed that the law enforcement presence was part of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE that targets transnational crimes like drug smuggling and human trafficking. When operating in Dakota County, HSI notifies our Dakota 911 dispatch center of their general location but does not disclose specific addresses or operational details. Currently, their focus is on individuals with violent criminal offenses who face deportation, and they prioritize surveillance and controlled arrests, often outside residences. While these operations are now drawing more media attention, they are not new to our area. Importantly, if any situation poses a risk to public safety, the Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement will take appropriate action to inform and protect residents.
Making our roads safer: top 10 crash locations in Dakota County – Each year our Dakota County traffic team carefully reviews crash data to identify safety concerns and guide road improvements. A key part of this effort is calculating the Crash Rate Index (CRI), which considers crash frequency, traffic volume and comparisons to similar intersections statewide. This data-driven approach helps us determine where safety improvements are needed most. The most recent list of the top 10 crash locations includes some of the busiest intersections in the county. Our traffic safety team is actively working on solutions for these high-risk areas. Additionally, intersections are ranked based on the severity of crashes, with injuries and fatalities being the key factors. I was pleased to see that not a single intersection in my commissioner district (South St. Paul-West St. Paul-Inver Grove Heights) cracks the top 10 for severity anymore. Only the intersection of Oakdale (County Road 73) and Lothenbach in West St. Paul comes close – at #13 – and we have a fix on its way for that location.
Staying vigilant, staying safe – From emergency response and law enforcement to road safety, Dakota County remains committed to protecting residents and improving our communities. If you have concerns, questions or suggestions, I encourage you to reach out. Your input helps shape the decisions that keep our county safe and thriving.
Joe Atkins represents District 2 on the Dakota County Board, which includes South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights. He welcomes feedback. To share comments, concerns, or questions, contact him at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4430.
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