Northwest Minnesota Drug Task Force Steps Up War on Drugs with “We Were Here” Campaign – InForum

BEMIDJI, Minnesota – As we approach the home stretch of a historic campaign season, more and more campaign posters are popping up.

It is no different in northwest Minnesota.

However, more and more warning signs have appeared which the authorities believe are intended to help curb drug trafficking in the region.

Not only will there be a large police presence in the neighborhood to show that police have been there, but in recent months the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, which serves much of northwest Minnesota, has also been putting up “We Were Here” signs in yards where raids have been conducted.

Officials recently conducted a drug raid near Bemidji. They say the residents of the home were using and distributing methamphetamine.

“This is our way of showing the community that we are here and we are trying to help them. We are letting them know that we are trying to work with them to solve some of these drug problems,” said Sergeant David Hart, commander of the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

They admit that the signs are partly intended to be amusing, but more importantly, they are intended to attract public attention.

“We need to make people aware that this system exists and that there is an opportunity to communicate with us,” Hart said.

He's referring to the WeTip system used by the task force. It's similar to Crime Stoppers, but is run entirely by the task force. There's a QR code on each sign that people can use to contact agents.

“(Residents can) communicate anonymously in two ways with officers, drug enforcement officers in their area, about ongoing activities,” Hart said.

He said people have been able to send photos from inside homes showing drug use, helping agents target the homes.

“This is an important aspect of combating drug crimes because drugs are linked to so many other crimes, including other violent crimes and property crimes,” Hart said.

A simple front yard sign that's making a big impact in the war on drugs in northwest Minnesota.

“Sometimes it could be the little piece of the puzzle that we're looking for in larger investigations that can really move them forward,” Hart said.

Matt Henson is an Emmy Award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Before joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the lead anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.