 How the Bemidji Sheriff's Department is getting prepared for Hockey Day Minnesota by making sure they have enough people at the site and on the ice of Lake Bemidji. Sheriff Ernie Beidle says the team has been working on a safety plan ever since Bemidji was announced as the 2019 Hockey Day Minnesota location. Many agencies will be utilized including the Bemidji Police Department and the Bemidji Fire Department. The state is even providing extra funds and resources to increase security. Coming forward we'll have extra deputies on during this event, not only on the lake but also working at the event. And then the state of Minnesota freed up some towards zero death money. Our initiative, TZD money for added enforcement for DWI's that weekend. So we'll have state patrol coming down and help us out. Been in touch with the Department of Natural Resources, we'll have extra DNR officers working in the lake also. Sheriff Beidle says their main concern will be people out on the lake. Hundreds of fish houses are expected to be on Lake Bemidji during Hockey Day. It's important for everyone to watch their speed and drive slowly. Also you should know how to check ice conditions. If they're going to be out on Lake Bemidji, out on the ice, to be very careful where they go, you know, we have variable thickness of ice and areas that didn't have snow pack. Ice and ice are nice and frozen but the areas that did have a snow pack, they're slush. And so they need to be very careful. They venture off any of the plowed roads out there unless they're prepared they could get stuck out there and we don't want that to happen. Sheriff Beidle says another way people can increase safety measures is by utilizing the shuttles as much as possible to help keep some of the traffic off the roads. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.