City Of Mpls. Looks To Bill Urban Explorers Who Need Rescue

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis city council member wants to bill urban explorers who end up needing rescue.

City Council President Barbara Johnson is proposing the fee. She says the person is choosing to participate in an illegal activity and put rescuers at risk as well. Johnson adds it's not fair to make taxpayers cover the costs.

In June, it took 35 Minneapolis firefighters more than three hours to rescue an injured man who fell four stories inside an abandoned grain elevator.

Under Johnson's ordinance, the city could have charged the man about $1,000.