Posted in Police

South Milwaukee Police Release Annual Report

It was a busy year for the South Milwaukee Police Department … and their 2014 annual report sums it up well.

Check it out here.

Success piled up, from the department’s successful certification efforts to the addition of body cameras for all officers to all of its efforts in the community, including Shop with a Cop, Justice for a Cure and Community Night Out, among others.

And while crime was up from 2014 in some key areas, longer term trends are still very good … and I am as convinced as ever that our police department is doing all it can to operate effectively with one of the smallest forces per capita in the region.

I thank them for their hard work.

As Chief Ann Wellens put it in the report …

The officers and the staff of the South Milwaukee Police Department take great pride in serving our community. It is their goal to provide the best service possible to the citizens of South Milwaukee. The data found in this Annual Report represents only a snapshot of the total activities of the members of the South Milwaukee Police Department over the past year. … The members of the South Milwaukee Police Department, working cooperatively with our citizens and elected officials, have met many difficult challenges during the past year. The future holds many new and different challenges. Members of the Police Department are dedicated to meeting those challenges with the support of the community and our elected officials. We will continue to work towards the safety and wellbeing of all citizens of South Milwaukee.

Police: Walgreens Employee Injured During Robbery

3732 robber 2

Update: Added an image of the suspect.

Scary stuff from the South Milwaukee Walgreens today.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department press release …

On May 27, 2015, at 12:48pm, the South Milwaukee Police Department received a call of an armed robbery at Walgreens, located at 2985 South Chicago Avenue, in South Milwaukee.

Preliminary investigation shows that a black male, displaying a handgun, did obtain prescription medication from the pharmacy.  He also assaulted an employee of Walgreens during the robbery.  He was then seen exiting the store, running in a northwest direction.

An employee was struck in the head by the suspect, with the gun, suffering a non-life threatening injury. 

The South Milwaukee Police Department is currently investigating this incident.

I’ll keep you posted.

Recognizing Our Police (And Citizen) Heroes

2015 police honorees

Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting was one of my favorite ones of the year — our chance to recognize police officers and citizens for their life-saving and heroic acts, and all-around good work and partnership.

In all, six officers, one public safety officer, two auxiliary officers, three citizens and one business were honored with awards as part of National Peace Officers Week. Here is a full list of winners, and their stories.

I congratulate and thank all of them. Among the stories …

Investigator Hill – nominated by Officer Rivamonte

On December 20, 2014 at approximately 9:44pm the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a suicidal subject who had slashed his wrists and left his mother’s residence on bicycle.  Officers were given the general area of Grant Park to search for the subject who was in a mental health crisis.  After searching for a significant amount of time Investigator Hill located the subject’s bicycle hidden in some bushes; after searching the area he located the subject.  The subject was unconscious and bleeding from cuts to both wrists.  Investigator Hill provided immediate medical assistance to the subject.  Officers carried the subject to Lake Drive so the South Milwaukee Fire Department could treat his injuries.  If Investigator Hill had not continued to search for the subject he would have died in Grant Park that evening (it was cold 15 degrees and the subject was not properly clothed).                     

Officer Dews, Officer Fournier, PSO Maxim and Auxiliary Officer Ceparski – nominated by Officer McLean

On February 16, 2015 at approximately 3:27am the South Milwaukee Police Department received a 911 transfer call from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.  PSO Maxim was unable to speak with the 911 caller as the phone call ended prior to transferring.  PSO Maxim was unable to make contact with the 911 caller as calls went to voicemail.  PSO Maxim advised officers the 911 caller had reported he had fallen in the woods in Grant Park near the lagoon.  PSO Maxim looked up the 911 coordinates to assist in locating the caller.  Officers searched the area described by the 911 caller and found him lying on the snow covered ground.  The subject was unable to stand and officers carried him to the roadway where the South Milwaukee Fire Department took over and transported the man to St. Luke’s South Shore for medical treatment.  Had the officers not located the man he possibly would have died due to the cold weather conditions.

Mrs. Phylis Stoesser

Lt. Milow nominated Mrs. Stoesser for a Citizen’s Recognition Award for her actions on July 2, 2014.

On July 2, 2014 the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a missing elderly woman with early stage dementia/Alzheimer’s from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue.  Mrs. Stoesser observed an elderly woman near her residence (1000 Block of N. Chicago) who appear confused and lost.  Mrs. Stoesser engaged the woman in conversation and then began to follow her as she continued to walk on N. Chicago.  Mrs. Stoesser notified the police department who upon arriving at the scene determine the elderly woman to be the one missing from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue.  Mrs. Stoesser’s compassion and concern for the woman is commendable.

The department also honored longtime former auxiliary officer Kurt Olson for his volunteer service to the city, and Mike Wolf, manager of the South Milwaukee Walmart, for their support of the Shop with a Cop program and Community Night Out.

Death Investigation Underway Following Report Of Accidental Shooting

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

At approximately 6:31 am the South Milwaukee Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an accidental shooting at a residence located in the 2500 block of Lake Shore Boulevard. Officers responded to the residence and located a victim who had been shot inside the residence. Life saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful.

The South Milwaukee Police Department is currently conducting a death investigation.

There are no further details at this time.

Partnering To Combat The Heroin Epidemic

The South Milwaukee Police Department is committed to fighting the battle against heroin in our community. And I stand with them.

One key front in that fight: education.

The department sent home a note and a flyer with more information on heroin abuse to all school parents last week. Here is the note …

Across the nation there is a growing heroin epidemic. Recently the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article titled “Heroin deaths in Milwaukee County jump 72%.” The South Milwaukee Police Department working together with the South Milwaukee School District is committed to protecting our youth and educating our parents regarding this epidemic.

 Through education, enforcement and working with the medical field we can fight this epidemic. It is a goal of the Police Department to partner with parents in an effort to stop this addiction.

 On the South Milwaukee Police Department website (www.smpolice.com) is educational information addressing the heroin epidemic. Please visit the South Milwaukee Police Department this educational information. Additional information can be found at www.pact360.org.