http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/126527818.html

Milwaukee police on Monday continued to investigate a block party that got out of hand over the weekend.

Police said about 400 to 500 people had congregated at the corner of N. Richards and E. North Ave. about 8 p.m. Saturday. Although the party had a permit, police received reports of loud music and an uncontrollable crowd.

Police said some in the crowd refused to get off a stage and verbally abused officers. Police made no arrests.

http://www.wisn.com/news/28705839/detail.html#ixzz1UgE3F4M9

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police are about to launch a brand-new program to confront an alcohol problem on the force.

The chief explains his reasons for calling attention to the issue and reporter Nick Bohr talks to an officer currently suspended for driving drunk.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said he came to the realization sometime last year that his department needed a culture shock.

“If the subculture of policing is bedeviled by alcohol abuse, think about it when that subculture is in Wisconsin,” Flynn said.

Flynn said he’s come to realize in his three years here, with more than 15 officers arrested for drunken driving off-duty, three more committing suicide under the influence of alcohol, and others involved in alcohol-fueled domestic incidents, that he needed to do something differently.

“I’ve got people who work for me who are willing to run into burning buildings and confront armed suspects, but find it hard to tell a colleague, ‘Give me the keys, stop drinking,'” Flynn said.

Flynn’s program will train officers to better recognize the causes of alcohol abuse and encourage them to intervene with each other when they see a problem.

A Milwaukee officer who was arrested last year in Fond du Lac County for drunken driving will be a part of the solution.

“It’s kind of like a surreal experience. It’s been eight months now, and I still, when I look back, I can’t believe that I’m that guy, and I made that choice,” Milwaukee police Sgt. John Corbett said.

Corbett is serving a 60-day suspension, after 30 days in jail, for his drunken driving during deer hunting season last year.

He’s seen the stresses of the job sneak up on many of his police friends and lead to alcohol abuse, but said he didn’t recognize it in himself until his arrest.

“A common thinking, ‘Let’s head out and have a couple drinks, or I’ll meet you, and we’ll try to unwind that way.’ Well, after so many years of adding up and adding up, sometimes it’s hard to differentiate when enough is enough and a good time turns into a possibly fatal time,” Corbett said.

Corbett is grateful no one was hurt and wants to share his experiences with other officers, hoping it will sink in, and urging others to speak up when they see it in a fellow officer.

“It’s that peer, that partner, that friend, that can save somebody’s job, and they can save somebody’s life by intervening. We have to look out for each other,” Flynn said.

The enhanced training for current officers starts next week. It will be expanded to be a greater part of the training for recruits and even the orientation for police aides.

Flynn told12 News the discipline for officers has also been beefed up. He said in the past, first-time drunken driving would get a suspension of a week or less. Now, the standard is 30 to 60 days.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/126805878.html

Matthew Pekrun has been through a lot since an off-duty Milwaukee police officer shot him three times in 2008.

He’s seen three mistrials on felony charges that he stabbed the officer with a screwdriver. He lost his kidney to the injuries. His father died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. His brother was shot and killed by police in Iowa in June.

On Thursday, a jury in his fourth trial finally brought in some verdicts: not guilty of felony reckless endangerment, but guilty of endangering safety by negligent use of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

The judge noted how the process had changed and perhaps matured Pekrun, 24, and sentenced him to three days in jail, with credit for the same period he spent chained to his hospital bed after he was shot.

“I’ve seen him more than any other defendant,” Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Hansher said. He noted Pekrun was on time for about 100 court appearances as the case dragged through the three mistrials and was extremely polite.

“That’s a minor thing, but it shows his character. I think he’s turned his life around,” Hansher said.

Some jurors who stayed around for the sentencing said they thought it was a fair outcome. They said a majority first favored acquittal, then conviction, before a detailed breakdown of the elements of the charges led to the guilty verdict on the misdemeanor charge. Deliberations lasted about six hours over two days. The trial began Monday.

“We were concerned it escalated to what it did,” juror Garrett Stangel said.

Rita Kilpatrick and Lauralee Guilbault said they hope the police department learns something from the case.

In the hallway, Kilpatrick suggested that Pekrun seek grief counseling and some physical therapy for his damaged arm. He thanked her.
Suspected prowler

Officer Theodore Puente testified he saw someone looking in his girlfriend’s car about 4 a.m. and went out to confront the prowler. After 20 minutes of searching the neighborhood, he found Pekrun and threw him from a bike before a 10-minute foot chase. Puente pepper-sprayed and pistol-whipped Pekrun before finally shooting him three times after Pekrun wheeled around and stabbed Puente with a screwdriver.

Pekrun told investigators he didn’t know Puente was a police officer and feared for his life when he pulled out the screwdriver in self-defense. Pekrun did not testify at the trial.

Pekrun was hospitalized for nearly three weeks with wounds to his elbow, midsection and middle back. Puente suffered abrasions from the screwdriver but did not seek treatment. Later he was awarded a department medal for valor. Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern portrayed Puente as a dedicated officer willing to go the extra mile on his own time to address crime in his neighborhood and who tried other levels of force against Pekrun before resorting to firing his gun.

At sentencing, he asked that Pekrun, who admitted to police he was out stealing from cars that night, get some jail time, ongoing supervision and be prohibited from having a gun.

“Mr. Pekrun was in the wrong here,” Lovern said. “I’m not saying it was handled in textbook fashion. But he let it turn into something much more grave.”

Defense Attorney Robin Shellow had argued Puente should have been the one on trial, for attempted murder of her client, and made the case about Puente’s conduct, which she characterized as vigilante justice delivered with excessive force.

At sentencing, Shellow told Hansher she will appeal the conviction because Pekrun may still file a civil rights lawsuit against Puente over the shooting.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127249833.html

The Milwaukee police officer who shot a suspect last month testified Monday that the man had tried repeatedly to take him down, refused orders to stop resisting and pulled so hard on his collar the officer feared he might pass out.

David J. Parks, 42, is charged with battery to a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

At a preliminary hearing Monday, Officer Brent Miscichoski explained that he was driving down Townsend Street on July 16 at about 1:40 p.m. when he saw Parks jump over the fence of a scrap yard and begin dragging a suitcase down the street. Miscichoski has worked for the department 15 years.

Miscichoski circled the block and found Parks talking to someone on a porch on N. 30th St., parked and went to talk with him. As he escorted Parks back to the squad car for more questions, Parks broke free and ran through a gangway. As Parks tried to climb a fence, the officer said, he grabbed him from behind and pulled him down.

“Then the fight was on,” Miscichoski testified. He said Parks grabbed his collar, ripped the badge of his shirt and sent his notepad and microphone flying. Finally, Miscichoski said, he applied some pepper spray.

But he stopped short of testifying about using his weapon to shoot Parks, who appeared in court in a wheelchair.

Parks’ attorney, Mary Scholle, did not ask about the shooting.

Court Commissioner Dennis Cook bound the case over for trial. Parks entered not guilty pleas.

The incident was the ninth time this year a Milwaukee police officer has shot someone.

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110808-fair-mob-reports,0,1285413.story

WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE—

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department released 911 audio from the opening night of State Fair. These tapes display the graphic details of the attacks, some of which were racially motivated. We also spoke with someone who could put that part of the story in perspective.

Most callers tell dispatchers they see a racially motivated melee. One caller told dispatchers, “A whole bunch of black dudes f—– jumped on me. I’m bleeding all over.”

West Allis Police recently released a statement on what took place at State Fair on opening night. They say there are currently nine assaults, one robbery without a weapon and one attempted robbery with a weapon being investigated.

Investigators are cooperating with the Milwaukee Police Department to identify the people who perpetrated the opening night crimes. The suspects have been described as African Americans. The victims were either Caucasian or Hispanic.

Additional police officers will be deployed in the neighborhoods surrounding State Fair. West Allis Police call this their Closing Night initiative. They have also installed several new cameras at key points surrounding State Fair Park.

Arno Michaels understands all too well the hate driven mob mentality as a former leader of Milwaukee’s white power movement more than 20 years ago. He says, “When I was that age I made these kids look like Boy Scouts. I routinely attacked people, because of the color of their skin.”

These days, Michaels helps young people and anyone who will listen understand and stop violence. Michaels warns tough talk and more anger will only make a repeat of the opening night event more likely.

The West Allis Police Department released a timeline outlining the calls for support made that evening.

State Fair Calls For Support Timeline (time stamp is in military time)
22:48 ~ State Fair P.D. advised us that they shut the park down early because of a large amount of fights. They report large groups of people leaving the grounds.
22:49 ~ Walgreens reports lots of people in the area.
22:59 ~ 9-1-1 call received in regards to group of 25 black youths assaulting State Fair worker around 81/Greenfield.
23:00 ~ 9-1-1 call received in regards to fight at front entrance of State Fair. People are everywhere. Groups of people chasing white people.
23:01 ~ Call received indicating people are leaving State Fair and heading to 84/Greenfield.
23:08 ~ State Fair P.D. reports that people are walking on cars near 84/Schlinger.
23:10 ~ Groups jumping on cars at 84/Schlinger.
23:11 ~ Angry mob, fights, wrong way drivers, people running in traffic, at 84/Schlinger.
23:12 ~ Fight at 1000 S. 84 St.
23:14 ~ Kids obstructing traffic and hitting cars.
23:15 ~ Person assaulted and has a knot on the head at 84/Schlinger. Party going to hospital on own.
23:16 ~ Victim punched in face at 84/Walker by group. Medical denied.
23:17 ~ State Fair P.D. reports fights and people jumping on cars at 84/Greenfield.
23:18 ~ Mob pulled male and female from motorcycle at 84/Adler. Female was dragged and has fat lip.
23:18 ~ Mobs hitting cars at 84/Schlinger.
23:21 ~ Victim jumped and almost robbed at 87/McMyron.
23:24 ~ Group of guys have a gun in a car near 85/Walker.
23:25 ~ Group of guys jumping people near 85/Walker. One had a gun.
23:26 ~ People running through yards. One bike stolen.
23:30 ~ Kids hitting cars at 84/Walker.
23:30 ~ Police report large fight at 84/Greenfield.
23:30 ~ Group attack male at 88/Greenfield.
23:33 ~ Kid getting pummeled by a group at 84/Schlinger.
23:34 ~ Kids jump guy at 76/Washington.
23:34 ~ State Fair P.D. report fight at 84/Greenfield.
23:35 ~ Fight reported at 85/Greenfield.
23:37 ~ Riot at 84/Greenfield. Wife has black eye and bloody lip. Refuse to report incident.
23:37 ~ Possible beating and man with gun at 76/Walker.
23:38 ~ Fight and theft at 87/McMyron.
23:39 ~ Police requesting help at McDonald’s. Under control at 2340.
23:39 ~ Victim got hit by group of kids at 76/Walker.
23:40 ~ Teenagers assaulted male at 76/Walker.
23:43 ~ Fight at 76/Walker.
23:44 ~ Male assaulted by group. Bleeding, but medical refused.
23:51 ~ Homeless person beat up at 76/Greenfield.
23:51 ~ Caller got hit in face by group.
23:51 ~ Fight at 86/Greenfield.
23:51 ~ Fight at 76/Washington.
23:53 ~ 20-25 people ran in and out of gas station at 76/Greenfield at stole stuff.
23:55 ~ Mutual aid requested – MCSO. MCSO is responding.
23:57 ~ Male assaulted by group at 86/Greenfield.
23:57 ~ Caller was almost robbed by group at 87/McMyron.
00:01 ~ Police report fight at 76/Greenfield.
00:45 ~ Mutual aid canceled.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/125711683.html

A criminal suspect is in critical condition after he “violently resisted arrest” and a Milwaukee police officer shot him Saturday afternoon, police said. It’s the ninth time a Milwaukee police officer has shot someone this year.

A uniformed Milwaukee police officer on patrol saw the suspect coming over the top of a fence at United Milwaukee Scrap at 3027 W. Concordia Ave. with a large suitcase in his hand around 1:40 p.m., police said. The officer followed the suspect to the 3300 block of N. 30th St. and attempted to question him about what he was doing in the scrap yard and why he was climbing over the fence with the suitcase, police said.

As the officer escorted the suspect to his squad car, the suspect began to resist the officer, tearing his badge and radio microphone from his shirt and wrestling him to the ground, causing cuts and scrapes to the officer’s arms. Police quoted one witness who described the suspect as attempting to disarm the officer.

The suspect ran between two houses and the officer ran after him and again attempted to arrest him.

“During a violent struggle, the officer believed he was about to be rendered unconscious, and fearing for his life, drew his service weapon and discharged it, striking the suspect,” police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said in a news release.

The suspect is in critical condition at a hospital, Schwartz.

The man is 42 years old and has an extensive criminal arrest history on accusations of drug offenses, battery, theft, domestic violence, resisting arrest, escape, criminal damage to property and burglary, she said. He is wanted on a warrant for felony violation of parole and is currently on parole on a substantial battery conviction.

The officer is 37 and assigned to District 5. He has 15 years of service with the police department.

As a standard operating procedure, the incident is under investigation by the police department and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. The officer who discharged his weapon was placed on administrative duty pending the completion of the investigation. The district attorney will make the final determination in the incident.

Milwaukee police are on pace to hit a six-year record for officer-involved shootings. Officers have shot nine so far this year – the same number as in all of 2008. Last month, one suspect died when shot by an officer. Officers shot 11 people last year.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/126520258.html

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office says they have joined with federal homeland security investigators and the Milwaukee Police Department to arrest 30 people in an anti-gang sting.

Customs officials said that the sting targeted foreign-born gang members.

According to those officials, 17 people arrested are members of gangs while 13 others had associations with local gangs.

The gangs involved included C14 Sureños, Mexican Posse, Latin Kings and Brown Pride.

One of those arrested gang members allegedly came back to the U.S. illegally after having been reported, while another reportedly had a criminal record that could make him deportable.

Six arrests came on criminal warrants or charges, while 24 arrests came on immigration violations.

Those 24 people have reportedly had the deportation process begin for them.

While Milwaukee investigators continue probing the death of a man in police custody earlier this month, several Common Council members want to make sure the city keeps close watch of cases in which police injure or kill suspects.

WUWM’s Ann-Elise Henzl monitored a hearing on the subject Thursday.

On July 5, a man police arrested after a foot chase died in the back seat of the squad car. The Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County District Attorney are among agencies investigating the death.

Ald. Joe Davis says he and other Common Council members should also follow up on the case. He says they need to ensure that the program that looks for patterns of questionable police behavior, is working.

“Although you have officers that are out there that are doing their job, we know the history within the Milwaukee Police Department is that there may be some that are out there that have to be red flagged for the Early Intervention Program. That’s the reason why we instituted it. So this is not an indictment on the Milwaukee Police Department. It’s to find out factually what occurred,” Davis says.

It could take awhile for the investigation to be complete, according to Fire and Police Commission Executive Director Michael Tobin. He spoke Thursday at a meeting of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Tobin talked about the other death in police custody during the past year. It involved a man who lost consciousness in the back of a police van. Tobin says investigators found no evidence of officer misconduct.

He also talked about police-related shootings. Officers have shot at suspects 16 times during the past year. Three suspects died.

“Out of all the 16 incidents, 14 of them that have had completed investigations. None of those incidents resulted in charges against an officer, and all those 14 of those 16 incidents were ruled justified by the District Attorney’s office,” Tobin says.

Investigations showed in most cases officers were threatened with a gun, a knife, or by a suspect using a vehicle as a weapon.

Tobin says individual officers were not involved in more than once incident.

Ald. Willie Wade expressed gratitude for the information.

“There’s always two sides to the story, and my feeling is in the city of
http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=8851

Milwaukee sometimes there’s three sides to the story, because the media gets a side. The information that a lot of the citizens get they get from the media. Well the media’s goal is to sell advertisements, so they may not be as thorough. They may not be as detailed. They may be focused in on the sensationalism of it,” Wade says.

Several people in the audience wanted to share their thoughts and concerns about police shootings and deaths in custody. But the chairman of the Public Safety Committee, Robert Donovan, said there was no time on Thursday’s agenda. So he urged them to speak at the next Fire and Police Commission meeting later this month.