Hawley Police Department

10/14/2025

Yield Sign has been changed to a Stop Sign at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and 9th Street. This is just west of the High School. This was done to address concerns of near accidents from vehicles not yielding to oncoming traffic.

10/02/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Early detection, healthy lifestyle choices and support are essential to those that Breast Cancer affects. We at the Hawley Police Department will do our best to raise awareness. Our Officers will be wearing a Pink Badge with the Pink “Hope” ribbon for the month of October.

08/21/2025

15th Street is open and barricades are removed. Be mindful of the 30mph speed limit and the three-way stop at Nature Lane. A lot of families are walking and kids are riding bike on 15th Street.

08/11/2025

E-Bike / E-Scooter Safety and Regulations in Hawley MN

The Hawley Police Department has received concerns about E-Bikes and E-Scooters operating at high speeds, and on sidewalks in the downtown area. To ensure public safety and compliance with state laws and local regulations, we are reminding all E-Bike and E-Scooter riders of the following guidelines:

E-Bike Classifications: Understanding the type of E-Bike you ride is important for following proper regulations.
• Class 1: Provides motor assistance when the rider is pedaling; maximum speed 20 mph.
• Class 2: Operates with a motorized boost regardless of pedaling; also capped at 20 mph.
• Class 3: Assists the rider only while pedaling; allowing speeds up to 28 mph.

MN State Statute 169.222
• E-Bikes are classified as bicycles with electric motors and must follow the same rules as traditional bicycles, (which ride with vehicle traffic, not against traffic).
• Riders should utilize bike lanes or roadways whenever available.
• Sidewalk Use: While state law does not explicitly prohibit E-Bikes from all sidewalks, State Law and City Ordinance restricts all bicycles, including E-Bikes, from operating on sidewalks within the business district for pedestrian safety. On all other sidewalks all bikes must yield the right of way to Pedestrians and give audible signal a safe distance prior to overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

Age Requirements / Restrictions:
• A Person under the age of 15 must not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
• To ride a Class 3 E-Bike, the minimum age is 16.

e-Scooters MN State Statute 169.225
• Subdivision 1.
Application of traffic laws. Every person operating a motorized foot scooter shall have all rights and duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle, except in respect to those provisions relating expressly to motorized foot scooters and in respect to those provisions of law that by their nature cannot be applied to motorized foot scooters.
• Subdivision 2. Sidewalk and passenger prohibition. No person may operate a motorized foot scooter upon a sidewalk, except when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property. No one may operate a motorized foot scooter that is carrying any person other than the operator.
• Subdivision 3. Minimum age for operator. No person under the age of 12 may operate a motorized foot scooter.
• Subdivision 4. Protective headgear. No person under the age of 18 may operate a motorized foot scooter without wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
• Subdivision 5. Required lighting equipment. A motorized foot scooter must be equipped with a headlight and a taillight that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety if the vehicle is operated under conditions when vehicle lights are required by law.
• Subdivision 6. Operation requirements and prohibitions.
o (a) A person operating a motorized foot scooter on a roadway shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except in the following situations:
 (1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
 (2) when preparing for a left turn, in which case the operator shall stop and dismount at the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, and shall complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to restrictions placed by law on pedestrians; or
 (3) when reasonably necessary to avoid impediments or conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes.
o (b) A person may operate a motorized foot scooter on a bicycle path, bicycle lane, bicycle trail, or bikeway that is not reserved for the exclusive use of nonmotorized traffic, unless the local authority or governing body having jurisdiction over that path, lane, trail, or bikeway prohibits operation by law.

Community and Enforcement Efforts:
The Hawley Police Department encourages responsible E-Bike/E-Scooter use and will be monitoring compliance with these regulations.
Officers will:
o Educate riders about safe riding practices.
o Encourage E-Bike users to use roadways whenever possible for safety reasons.
o Address violations as needed to ensure the safety of both riders and pedestrians.

Hawley Police Department appreciates everyone’s cooperation in making Hawley a safer place for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding E-Bike/E-Scooter regulations, contact the Hawley Police Department: (218)483-4666

08/08/2025

Just a reminder in the event of severe weather, the Community Building will be opened for shelter.

08/05/2025

Night to Unite will still be held. It may be a little scaled back due to weather but we have lots of great food to serve. As long as the lightening moves through. We have a window of about 5:15 to 6:20 or so possible. Unfortunately Mother Nature had better plans. Jaycees have set their tent up so that tables are out of the rain. If the lightening continues, we will postpone.

08/04/2025

Night to Unite is on for tomorrow from 4-8pm. We have another great event planned with help from so many of our local businesses and service organizations. In fact, our community is blessed to have so many local businesses that give back to our community. A great reason to keep it local.
Turn on your outside lights and join us as we gather as a community and have a chance to visit with first responders.
There is a meal provided free of charge consisting of pulled pork, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, ice cream, root beer, bottled water.
There will be 4 bounce houses for children of all ages including the Obstacle Course. There will be a Water Slide and Dunk Tank.
Face painting again with 4 artists.
Live music.
Weather permitting and lack of need for calls, Sanford AirMed Helicopter is scheduled just after 7pm for a brief return visit to Hawley.
MN DOT will have a snowplow truck there to view and visit with them.
There will be booths set up to visit.
REACH will be set up and accepting non-perishable food items and back to school supplies. Please consider a donation.
Much more.
Also, we are always looking for volunteers.

07/09/2025

Yes, there are new stop signs placed at the intersections (both east and west) of Hartford Street and Westgate Circle. With the number of children, and adults, present at Westgate Park at any given time of day, we needed to address the speeds on Westgate Circle. These new stop signs will hopefully make that area safer for all to enjoy.

07/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/15L2fo4yie/?mibextid=wwXIfr

New MN Law

06/20/2025

With the forecast of severe weather tonight, the community center will be open as a storm shelter for those who need it.

06/07/2025

An early morning hit and run crash on Nature Lane, involving one driver and a parked car, has resulted in the arrest of a 39 year old Hawley area male. Alcohol was a factor.

06/06/2025

Reminder there is no parking on 6th Street tomorrow afternoon for the parade. Also, 6th Street will be blocked off from Front Street to Main Street all day until after the parade. Front Street will be closed from between 5th and 6th Streets to 7th Street. Please find alternative routes and parking.