State officials acknowledge officers knifed vehicle tires during recent protests

The state Public Safety Department acknowledges that officers knifed the tires on a number of parked and unoccupied vehicles in at least two locations during recent protests. The Star Tribune quotes D-P-S spokesman Bruce Gordon who says “State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires… in order to stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement.” Gordon says the State Patrol also targeted vehicles that had items used to cause harm during violent protests. Anoka County deputies were also involved in the operation. Videos are making the rounds on social media.