Video: Mayor Dickert stopped for speeding in December

Video of Mayor John Dickert's traffic stop on Dec. 12, 2009 on N. Main St. 
Video provided by Racine Police Department.

A city police officer stopped Mayor John Dickert for speeding Dec. 12, 2009 in the 1200 block of North Main Street. Dickert was going 40 mph in a 30 mph zone at about 10 a.m. on a Saturday. He did not receive a ticket. There is no police report on the stop.

Video of the traffic stop, obtained with a records request to the police department, shows a brief, cordial encounter between Officer Bob Bojcic and Dickert near Jane Elementary School. Bojcic was conducting a speed wave near the school after the department received complaints about traffic.

Here'a transcript of the video:

Prior to exiting squad car: 

Officer Bojcic: 1200 block of North Main (indecipherable)

Talking to Dickert:  

Dickert: Hello, boss.
Officer: (indecipherable) You're the boss, aren't you?
Dickert: (laughs) Not always
Officer: Not always?
Dickert: What's going on?
Officer: Not much. We had a Speed Wave back here 40 in 30
Dickert: Oh (indecipherable) Sorry ... I was going to a radio show down in Kenosha
Officer: Yeah. Because of the school over there and the crossing guard always has fits over there so we come out here to do a speed wave out here to try and slow the traffic down it's like a race track out here, you know?
Dickert: It's actually a good idea.
Officer: Keep it down.
Dickert: You got it.

Sgt. Martin Pavilonis, spokesman for the Racine Police Department who had watched the video, said proper procedures were handled during the stop.

It's up to the officer's discretion on whether a driver gets a ticket, Pavilonis said. He said it was not unusual for a stop to take about 3 minutes when the officer does not issue a ticket.

There is no set policy on an officer's actions when they pull over an elected official like the mayor, Pavilonis said. If a police officer stops another police officer there is a policy to follow, he said, but that doesn't apply to the mayor.

As for the mayor's conduct, Pavilonis said he acted appropriately. "I don't think he asserted his rank as mayor," he said. "I don't think that's the case at all."

RacinePost requested video of the traffic stop after receiving a tip that the mayor was stopped. The city promptly answered a records request and provided a DVD of the stop from an in-squad video camera with audio collected from a microphone officers carry as part of their uniform.

City reports north side copper burglaries

The Racine Police Department put out the following announcement Thursday:

The City of Racine has experienced a string of residential burglaries on the north side of the city. At least two dozen burglaries have been reported since the beginning of this year. The targeted homes are vacant or unoccupied. The homes are generally located in an area bounded by 3 Mile Rd on the north, Douglas Ave. on the west and Hamilton St. on the south. The suspects typically enter the home through a rear or side window or door. The burglars then remove large sections of copper pipe from the home. The Racine Police Department anticipates that there are unreported incidents or will be other incidents in the near future.

The Racine Police Department wants to remind all residents to remain aware of suspicious activity, persons or vehicles. Residents are asked to pay particular attention to homes that are for sale, foreclosed, vacant or otherwise unoccupied. At any time, if you believe that activity in your neighborhood is suspicious, call the Racine Police Department at (262) 635-7700 and request assistance.

Racine Police Investigators are interested in any additional information that you may have about these incidents. You are urged to call the Racine Police Department at (262) 635-7700 and ask for the Investigations Unit, or Crimestoppers at (262) 636-9330, or by texting to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D. #TIP417 with your text message.

Whoops! JT reverses police spokesman's meaning ...

The JT's Paul Sloth did a good story today about the Police Department's nuisance vehicle on Sixth Street. But, as happens in news stories, a missing word reversed the meaning of a police official's statement.

Here's the graph:

(Sgt. Bernie) Kupper said he thinks the vehicle would deter legitimate customers from shopping at legitimate businesses.

"We're trying to provide a police presence, no different than putting a drone squad car on a side street to make people aware we are monitoring what is going on," Kupper said.

Can you spot  the missing word? It's "not" after "would" in the first sentence. Kupper confirmed the JT's typo and said it's the PD's position that the nuisance vehicle would not deter legitimate customers from legitimate business. 

Kupper said he spoke with the JT and they plan to issue a correction. 

p.s. Of course, this opens RacinePost up to all sorts of grammar/word cops, which is fine. That's the price of being in the writing business.

City Notes: Racine police plan upgrade to video capabilities; RCEDC contracts renewed

The Racine Police Department is preparing to upgrade one of its crime-fighting tools.

The department is set to purchase video file management software that will help its officers use video cameras to monitor and record criminal activity. The program will help the department - and eventually all city departments - organize photos and videos for easy access, said Deputy Chief Tom Christensen, who presented the software to the Finance and Personnel Committee Monday night.

For police, that will mean storing evidence for trials and ongoing investigations. It will also mean officers will be able to access neighborhood video cameras on laptops from their squad cars and catch suspects in the act from blocks away. Videos can be saved for up 90 days, which will allow investigators to review surveillance cameras.

Christensen said the Racine Unified School District and local businesses, like banks, may also be able to link into the system to help police monitor activity.

The committee voted unanimously to allow the police department waive formal bidding to buy the software from the Tough Solutions company. The city's information systems department researched the software and confirmed it was compatible with existing systems, Christensen said.

RCEDC

The Finance and Personnel Committee voted to renew the Racine County Economic Development Corp.'s contract with the city for 2010. The $69,400 contract will be paid out of the shared revenue from the city's sewer agreement with its neighboring communities. The City Council will vote on the contract next week.

RCEDC, part 2

The committee also voted to renew RCEDC's $55,000 contract for brownfield redevelopment. "Brownfields" are polluted lands unsuitable for development without cleansing. RCEDC coordinates efforts to clean up brownfields in Racine, which includes identifying properties that need remediation and finding grants to pay for the remediation.

RCEDC plans to focus on the former Racine Steel Castings and Walker manufacturing sites for its brownfield program, according to Tina Chitwood, a community development specialist with RCEDC.

The committee voted unanimously to renew the contract. The City Council will vote on the proposal next week.

Breast feeding grant

The city's Health Department is set to receive $17,656 from the state for a breast feeding peer counselor. The counselor is part of the city's WIC program, which serves 1,700 clients in Racine. The Finance and Personnel Committee voted to accept the grant, which requires no city money. The City Council is set to finalize the grant next week.

City fee goes down

Here's a change: A city fee is going down. The area's household hazardous waste program will cost local property owners $2.40 this year, down from $4 in 2009, according to Keith Haas, general manager of Racine's utilities. The drop in price is because the program's $100,000 annual cost is now spread over all communities east of I-94.

The Finance and Personnel Committee voted to accept the decrease, and the council will finalize the price next week.

Racine Police may get new crime-fighting cameras

Update: We talked with Lt. Jim Dobbs about the cameras, which sound pretty cool. The cameras will be mounted on four squad cars' light bars and running nonstop while the cars are on duty. They can be used to track specific license plates and for general surveillance.

Dobbs gave a few examples of how this will be useful:

* The cameras can search for stolen vehicle. If the camera hits on a stolen plate, the system pings the officer so they can recover the car.

* They can also help investigators track down subjects. For example, if someone catches a license plate in an armed robbery, investigators can review the license plate cameras to find out where the suspect was before or after a crime.

* It gives police another tool to track track sexual offenders.

* It also could help spot people who owe significant amounts of money in overdue parking tickets. If these cars are spotted, police can tow them until the fines are paid.

Original post: Big Brother... um, Racine Police may soon be watching more closely than ever.

If you're on the right side of the law, that can be a good thing. If not ... well, tell it to the judge!

Yesterday -- according to a release from Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI -- the U.S. Senate approved Kohl's request for $850,000 for crime prevention projects in Southeastern Wisconsin. Most of the money went to Milwaukee, but Racine could scoop up $100,000 for four license plate recognition cameras.

Here's what the release said about them:

This project will provide the City of Racine with four Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras on police patrol cars. The system will capture digital images of virtually every license plate within view of the patrol car, either moving or stationary.
The license plates are then instantaneously compared to a variety of databases. The officer operating the system is immediately notified of any irregularities and may then take appropriate actions.

These cameras will reduce the amount of time officers spend investigating crimes so they can spend more time patrolling Racine streets and neighborhoods. In addition to benefiting the City of Racine, the Racine Police Department regularly participates in multi-jurisdictional law and traffic enforcement projects, so those jurisdictions will benefit from the use of this equipment as well.

No word on how effective the city's existing crime-fighting cameras have been...

The money is in the Senate version of the 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will now go before the House-Senate conference committee

Police to use armored car to monitor nuisance properties

Peoria's "armadillo"

Racine police have something fun planned for nuisance properties in the city.

The police department has a MacGyver-esque plan to convert an armored vehicle into a mobile, indestructible video camera.

Known in some communities as the "armadillo," the armored vehicle will be parked outside of troublesome properties and record activity for three to five days, according to Police Chief Kurt Wahlen.

Wahlen got the idea from a similar program in Peoria, Ill. Police there first tried to videotape nuisance properties using a parked squad car, but neighborhood residents smashed out headlights and further damaged the vehicle, Wahlen said.

Peoria police switched to an armored car, which couldn't be damaged. The vehicle proved so successful at monitoring problem properties that Peoria now has a second one, Wahlen said.

An added bonus with Racine's armored car is it's basically free. A 1999 armored car was donated to the police department and the city needs to spend a few thousand dollars tuning up the engine, mounting the camera and painting the vehicle.

Wahlen appeared before the city's Public Safety and Licensing and Finance and Personnel committees Monday night to get approval to accept the donated car. The City Council will consider the donation next Tuesday.

"This is a great tool in our arsenal," he said.

Wahlen said policies are being drawn up on how to use the vehicle. He did say neighbors would be notified when the armored vehicle is parked in front of a nearby house.

The donation easily passed the committees Monday.

"It's a great idea that costs almost nothing," said Alderman Aron Wisneski, chairman of the Public Safety and Licensing Committee.

Racine police report two grisly crimes Thursday morning

The Racine PD put out two grisly press releases this morning. The first involved a fatal shooting in the 1700 block of Erie Street around 2:40 a.m. The second was about a boyfriend who repeatedly stabbed his girlfriend Wednesday night outside near DeKoven and Kearney avenues.

UPDATE, Sept. 29: Police reported the arrest of Jeremiah T. Brown, 25, for the homicide of Byers. He is charged with 1st Degree Intentional Homicide, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Bail Jumping.

UPDATE, 3:55 p.m.: Police announce the arrest of a "person of interest" in the homicide of Terrell Byers, 34, this morning on Eire Street. The suspect is being held in the Racine County Jail while the investigation continues. No name has been released yet.

Here are the releases:

Officers Respond to Shots Fired Call to Find Homicide Victim

Officers responded to 1718 Erie St at 2:39AM this morning for a Shots Fired call and located a 34 year old male suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Wheaton Franciscan St Mary's Hospital in Racine where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Officers and investigators are conducting interviews of witnesses and persons in the area in an attempt to identify possible offenders and determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. At this time, there are no suspects in custody and there is nothing to indicate that this was a gang related incident.

No other information will be released at this time.

If you have any information related to this incident, you can call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 635-7756, Crimestoppers at 636-9330, or by texting to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D.# TIP417 with your text message.

Man Arrested After Seriously Injuring Girlfriend

Officers responded to DeKoven Av and Kearney Av at 8:43PM on September 23, 2009 for a Civil Trouble. At the scene, officers located a 21 year old female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The injuries included wounds to her upper body and neck area. The victim was transported to Wheaton Franciscan St Mary's Hospital in Racine where she was treated for her injuries.

Officers and investigators were able to locate witnesses at a nearby home who indicated that the incident had started out as a boyfriend-girlfriend civil inside an apartment at 1848 Kearney Av.

The boyfriend grabbed a butcher knife and chased the victim outside where he caught up with her and began stabbing her. According to witnesses, the offender had been seen standing over the victim stabbing her repeatedly before fleeing on foot from the area.

Several hours later, James H Griffin III (03-25-85) returned to a family members' home at 1636 Morton Av and police were notified so that he could turn himself in. He was placed in custody without further incident and transported to the Racine Police Department where he was interviewed and arrested on the following charges:

Outstanding Warrant through Kenosha County Sheriffs' Department
Outstanding Warrant through Department of Corrections
Outstanding Warrant through Sheboygan County Sheriffs' Department
Attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide While Armed

The medical condition of the victim is not known at this time. Griffin is currently being held in the Racine County Jail.

If you have any information related to this incident, you can call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 635-7756, Crimestoppers at 636-9330, or by texting to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D.# TIP417 with your text message.

Ironic?

A movie poster showing Johnny Depp in "Public Enemies"
hangs in the Racine Police Department's lobby.

Wary of sounding like Alanis Morissette and misusing the word "ironic," does anyone find it strange that the Racine Police Department has a display in its lobby highlighting a famous bank robber?

I bring it up now because now there's a large movie poster for "Public Enemies" next door to the case displaying a gun used when John Dillinger robbed a Racine bank at 5th and Main (the current Racine Art Museum).

It's a cool display and poster, but it's a bit odd to see police displaying the work of a criminal. It may even be, well, ironic.

The display of Dillinger's gun in the RPD lobby.

Horlick teacher found not guilty of obstruction for questioning police officer

A Horlick High School teacher who questioned if a police officer had a warrant to remove a student from his class was found not guilty this week of obstruction.

Al Levie, a social studies teacher at Horlick, was given a $455 citation for asking about the warrant. Inv. Kevin Klinkhammer issued the citation. Officer John Hetland was also involved with the case.

Levie said the officer, who works at Horlick, came to his classroom on Nov. 17 to interview a student who, along with four or five friends, had surrounded and attempted to intimidate a police officer in a school hallway. Levie asked about the warrant and was told he'd be arrested if he refused to allow the student to be interviewed. Levie then stepped aside and the student left with the officer.

The student wasn't charged for his incident with police, but Klinkhammer returned the next day with the obstruction citation.

Levie challenged the citation in court on Wednesday and was found not guilty.

Judge Mark Nielsen dismissed the charges because Levie's question did not constitute obstruction. But Nielsen also made it clear officers are allowed to take students out of classrooms for investigations, and in a wider sense, are allowed to do their job without interference anywhere in the community.

"The lesson to take from this case is the police are always the police," Nielsen said Friday. "They have a duty to enforce the law in schools on the streets or in a theater. If they see a violation of the law, they're obligated to respond."

"If police say something, you have an obligation to comply," Nielsen said Friday.

Levie said the incident was the first time in his eight and half years as a teacher that an officer had taken a student out of class. If an officer shows up at his classroom again, Levie said he'd allow the officer to take a student without question.

But Levie, who is president of the teacher's union at Horlick, said he would start a discussion within Unified about the role of police in schools.

"This is an issue between the union and the administration," Levie said. "I'll have input into that issue."

He added teachers often take on roles of counselor, social worker and even parent while working with students. "We want to make sure students' rights are protected," he said.

"We as a district have to decide how we'll use police in the schools," Levie said.

West Sixth Street residents want security cameras turned on

I've been sitting on this post for three days waiting for the city to update its website with minutes from Monday's Public Safety and Finance Committee meeting. But it's Wednesday night and still no minutes, so here's what we have ...

Security cameras installed on W. Sixth Street by the police department are not yet working, according to residents in the neighborhood. They want the cameras turned on to fight crime. The City Council's Public Safety and Licensing Committee took up the issue at its meeting last night.

Read the residents' letter here.

Updates as they're available ...

Featured on TV, homicide suspect turns self in

A man wanted in connection with a beating death in 2006 turned himself in to Racine Police last night.

Dale M. Patterson was wanted in connection with an assault on April 22, 2006, that left Michael P. Griffith, 42, with serious head injuries in the rear lot of The Winners' Circle, 1403 Superior St. Police said witnesses saw Patterson slamming Griffith's head into the pavement,and kicking his head and face. Griffith was kept on life support for over a year, but died on Nov. 17, 2007.

Patterson, who was featured on FOX 6's Wisconsin's Most Wanted show on Saturday, turned himself in at 11 p.m. Tuesday night. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 cash bond, charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide.

City Council to vote on $1 million referendum to hire additional officers

There's one item on tomorrow night's City Council agenda: approving a Nov. 4 referendum to raise $1 million to hire 12 more police officers.

The council is scheduled to vote on Alderman Greg Helding's proposal to address crime in the city. If passed, city residents would vote on the same ballot as the presidential election to exceed state revenue caps to hire the additional officers.

Here's the JT's story on the proposal.

Here's the full resolution that will be introduced tomorrow night:

Resolution for Exceeding the State Imposed Levy Limit

Whereas, the State of Wisconsin has imposed limits on town, village, city and county property tax levies for 2007 and 2008 under Wis. Stat. sec. 66.0602; and

Whereas, it is anticipated that a similar levy limit will be imposed by the State of Wisconsin for 2009 and subsequent years; and

Whereas, the Common Council of the City of Racine, Racine County, believes it is in the City’s best interest to exceed the state levy limit as described above by a greater percentage than 2% for the purpose of hiring additional police officers; and

Whereas, the City of Racine’s levy before adjustments was $40,760,800 for the tax levy in 2007 (collected in 2008); and Whereas, the state limit would limit the increase to $815,216, for a total allowable city tax levy before adjustments of $41,576,016 for 2008 (collected in 2009).

Now, therefore, the Common Council of the City of Racine, Racine County, does hereby resolve and order as follows:

The Common Council hereby supports an additional increase of $1,000,000 in the city tax levy for 2008 (to be collected in 2009) and an identical amount in 2009 and 2010 (to be collected in 2010 and 2011, respectively) in excess of the state levy limits, before adjustments.

The Common Council directs that the question of increasing the city tax levy for 2008, 2009 and 2010 (to be collected in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively) if the State of Wisconsin imposes levy limits during the referenced time period, by $1,000,000 for each of the referenced years for the purpose of hiring additional police officers, shall be submitted to the electors in a referendum at the November general election to be held on November 4, 2008.

The referendum question shall read as follows:

Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Racine for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year (collected in 2009) is limited to 2%, which will result in a levy before adjustments of $41,576,016, or an increase of $815,216. For the purpose of hiring additional police officers, shall the City of Racine be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year and for each fiscal year in which 2% levy limit is imposed by the state from now through 2011, by a total of $1,000,000 additional dollars per annum over the levy limit for the sole purpose of hiring additional police officers?

A yes vote will authorize the city to increase the city tax levy by one million dollars for each year through 2010 in which a levy limit is imposed by the State of Wisconsin under sec. 66.0602 of the Wisconsin Statutes, for the sole purpose of hiring additional police officers.

A no vote will limit the city tax levy to the percentage amount imposed by the State of Wisconsin under sec. 66.0602 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Filmed arrest now subject of $150,000 lawsuit

A lawsuit seeking $150,000 is the latest twist in a case that began back on Jan. 22, when Racine Police stopped a car "for not having a front license plate as well as obstructed vision of the driver."

That traffic stop led to an arrest for cocaine possession ... and a charge of police brutality by witnesses to the arrest.

Nothing came of the brutality charge; squad car video showed three policemen roughly hauling the driver from his car, but after an internal review and an "objective review" by an outside expert, the officers were cleared, their actions described as "within the standards of training prescribed by the state of Wisconsin."

You can see it all for yourself. The Racine Police Department originally posted the squad car video on the city's website on Feb. 14. It was taken down on Feb. 18 by Police Chief Kurt Wahlen, who felt -- we were told then -- "there had been adequate time for those with a sincere interest in reviewing it, to have seen it."

At that time, RacinePost requested a copy of the video from the Police Department, and it was given to us. We didn't post it online then -- agreeing with the chief, as it were -- but now that the issue has again become viable, we posted it this morning.

The driver arrested in that traffic stop, Bilal Gilleylen, claims officers used excessive force. The Journal Times' today said notice of the claim was filed on May 20 -- three months ago. (Is this really the first we've heard of it? Yup. Court reporting ain't what it used to be.) The city has 120 days to respond.

Police arrest suspect in parking lot homicide

Racine Police today arrested a "primary suspect" in last week's fatal shooting of a Chicago man who argued with others in the parking lot of J. D. Petroleum on 16th Street.

Investigators from the Special Investigations Drug Unit, assisted by members of the Racine Police Department's Swat team, and U.S. Marshals Service, executed a search warrant at 911 Elm St., and arrested Samuel L. Booker, 31, of Zion, IL, who had been identified as a primary suspect in the Aug. 8 Lance M. Youngblood homicide. Two others have also been arrested and are in custody on other charges. The homicide is still under investigation.

Booker is being held on $500,000 cash bond, on charges of 1st degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, attempted 1st degree intentional homicide and three counts of bail jumping.

Youngblood was found at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 8 inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officers determined that several persons had exchanged words while in the parking lot of J.D. Petroleum. When the vehicle that Youngblood was in drove from the lot, one of the men from a Ford Explorer fired several shots towards his vehicle; one of the bullets struck Youngblood in the head.

Man drowns from boat off North Beach

UPDATE: WTMJ 620 AM is reporting the victim was 42-year-old formerRacine Police Officer Marco Rodriguez. (A link to the story isn't working.)

A man drowned off North Beach early this morning.

According to the Racine Police Department, the man was one of six persons in a boat owned by a Racine County Sheriff's Deputy. At least one other Racine County employee was on board the boat, which was off shore near North Beach. Racine Police responded to a 911 all at 3:19 a.m.

Police said:

"The victim had jumped into the water to swim, and shortly after entering the water, began to struggle. One of the other occupants of the boat jumped into the water in an effort to keep the victim above water, but was unable to and was being pulled under by the victims’ struggles. The other occupants of the boat were able to pull the rescuer back onto the boat, and the victim slipped under the water and could not be relocated by the boat occupants. At that time, 911 was called.

"At about 6 a.m. the victims’ body was pulled from the water approximately 120 feet from where he was believed to have gone into the water. There is an autopsy scheduled to further the investigation, and the identification of the victim is being withheld at this time, until family has been notified. According to investigators, the initial interviews were consistent and no foul play is suspected in this unfortunate incident."

Another murder, this time on 8th Street

More sad news this morning ... police sent this release out at 4:45 a.m.:

Subject: HOMICIDE – 500B 8th Street

On today’s date at 12:45AM officers responded to the area of the 500B 8th St for the report of a man down. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim on the ground in the street suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Racine Fire Department Rescue personnel attended to the victim but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim is a 32 year old male. Pending family notification, his identity is not being released. Investigators are processing the scene in addition to interviewing persons nearby in order to locate witnesses that can help the investigators determine what happened.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Racine Police Department at 262-635-7700. Persons with information can also call CrimeStoppers at 262-636-9330.

We'll update as more information comes in ...

Here's the JT's story identifying the victim as Ronald A. Stapleton, 32, of Racine.

14 businesses cited for under-age tobacco sales

Are you under-age? Fear not, you can still buy cigarettes in Racine. You just have to know where to look.

Racine Police reported yesterday on three rounds of compliance checks they made between April and June, seeing whether clerks at 67 businesses would sell tobacco products to minors.

Investigators working with Focus in the Community and the City of Racine Health Department found 53 businesses in compliance with local ordinances and state law which prohibit the sale of tobacco to minors.

Fourteen were not in compliance. They could have their licenses revoked by the City of Racine License and Welfare Committee if there is a pattern of failure, but for now they were fined $550 for each violation -- whether for selling a pack of cigarettes or, in the case of one store, a single cigarette.

Here's a list of the 14 businesses that unlawfully sold tobacco products; four of them passed when rechecked during another visit:

Akash Food & Liquor 3945 Erie St (Passed on Re-check)
M + M Douglas Park 2101 Douglas Ave (Passed on Re-check)
MJ Food Mart 1347 Lathrop Ave
Magic Dollar Plus 1007 Washington Ave
Metro Petro 4301 Washington Ave.
Neighborhood Pantry 1511 W. 6th St. (Passed on Re-check)
Nick’s Supermarket 1407 Superior St.
Open Pantry Food Mart 2731 Durand Ave.
Sausage Kitchen 1706 Rapids Dr. (Passed on Re-check)
Super Mercado Jimenez 2210 16th St.
Taqueriz Arandas Restaurant 1501 Prospect St
Three Mile Citgo 600 3 Mile Rd.
Timers Beverage Center 3800 Northwestern Ave
Total 24 930 Washington Ave

Racine PD gives out its officer awards

The Racine Police Department gave out its annual awards last week Below is a list of the winners. Not to take away from the officers who did receive recognition, but there wasn't a single female officer deserving of an Award of Excellence or Exemplary Officer Award? Really?

OK, on to the winners:

Award of Excellence
Investigators: David Rybarik, Theodore Schlitz (3), Todd Yde (2)
Criminalist: James Yoghourtjian (2)
Officers: David Arvai, Peter Boeck (2), John Hetland (2), Scott Leslie (3), Andrew Matson, Frank Miller (2), John Pomeroy (2), Walter Powell, Richard Ropiak (2), Donald Veselik (3)

Outstanding Police Service Award
Sgt. Brian Neubauer

Exemplary Officer Award
Investigators: David Derks (12), Randal Kuzia (6)
Officers: Hanns Friedel, Kevin Kupper, Neal Lofy, Donald Nutall (3), Michael Smith, Chad Stillman, Robert Thillemann

Chief's Leadership Commendation
Officer Larry Ivy

Civilian Employee Police Service Award
Daniel DeMatthew

Unit Citation - Gang Unit
Sgt. Todd Schulz (2)
Investigators: Robin Jacobsen (2), Daniel Langendork (2), Todd Morschhauser (2), David Rybarik (2), Todd Yde (3), Donald Nuttall (2)


Congratulations to all!

Police chief no fan of Racine's Post Prom

Don't count Police Chief Kurt Wahlen among the supporters of Post Prom. From his perspective, the annual event is a security nightmare.

"It worries me," Wahlen said Tuesday during the Police and Fire Commission meeting. "We can't cover all of our bases."

During this year's Post Prom, an 18-year-old man was arrested after shooting a handgun in the air below the YMCA. Another teenager got a citation for carrying a BB gun into the bleachers outside of Post Prom.

Wahlen invited members of the commission to watch next year's Post Prom from the police and fire departments' command vehicles outside of Festival Hall.

"It's a life-changing experience," Wahlen said. "It's depressing. I think it's depressing."

He said girls, in particular, act inappropriately. Two young women were taken from the scene in ambulances. At least one of the incidents involved drinking; paramedics found a teenager lying under a picnic table, abandoned by her friends.

"There's no ladies there, that's for sure," said Marie Black, a member of the Police and Fire Commission.

Police give two citizens public service awards

Two Racine residents received Citizen Public Service Awards from the Racine Police and Fire Commission on Tuesday. The award winners were:

Ben Peterson and Police Chief Kurt Wahlen

Ben Peterson
Ben, 17, is a junior at Horlick High School and a lifeguard at North Beach. On Aug. 17, 2007, he was off duty when a man went under water about 75 yards off shore. After two police officers pulled the victim to shore, Ben used his life-guard training to give CPR to the man. Sgt. William Macemon, of the police department, said Ben earned the public service award because it is rare for a citizen to jump into a rescue situation and try to help. Though the victim died, Ben did everything he could to help him, Macemon said.

William Scharding and Wahlen

William Scharding
Mr. Scharding is the owner of Feiner Plumbing in the 600 block of Sixth Street. On Dec. 8, 2007, Autumn Ford was shot and killed near Scharding's store. After the shooting, Mr. Scharding reviewed a security camera in his store and realized he had footage of the incident. He contacted investigators, who used the footage to identify and arrest Darius Monroe for the crime. He has been charged with Ford's murder, and four additional felonies. Macemon noted that investigators did not even know the video existed before Mr. Scharding came forward. Police Chief Kurt Wahlen added that investigators had few leads in the case before obtaining the video, which showed a suspect wearing a bright orange hat. When police called Monroe in for an interview, he was wearing the same orange hat as the man on the video, Wahlen said.