Clarke Says 911 'No Longer Your Best Option,' But Response Times Fine Here

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke called on gun owners to protect themselves and "fight back" because his department is short staffed. But Fox Point's Police Chief Tom Czaja said that's not a problem here.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke’s personal safety message, which called on Milwaukee County gun owners to “fight back” and take a certified gun safety course, started a media firestorm as Clarke appeared on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Still, the inquiries came after Clarke issued the following public service announcement: I’m Sheriff David Clarke, and I want to talk to you about something personal…your safety. It’s no longer a spectator sport; I need you in the game, but are you ready? With officers laid-off and furloughed, simply calling 9-1-1 and waiting is no longer your best option. You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back; but are you prepared? Consider taking a certified safety …

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CowDung

1:35 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013

How is Sheriff Clarke advocating a "Wild West Mentality"? He's not encouraging anyone to go out into the streets and hunt down bad guys. He's rightly stating that 911 response times are too slow, and you are probably better off being ready and able to defend yourself rather than waiting for the police to arrive.   more ›

Fox Point Village Audit Begins With Preliminary Fieldwork

Officials don't think village manage switch will impede the process.

The Fox Point Village Board has begun its annual village audit. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP will be doing the audit. Wendi Unger, an audit team member, spoke at the Audit Committee meeting this week. With six committee members present, Unger discussed the timeline and updates for the audit. There are only slight changes involved with this year’s audit. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause will use a new GASB system for the audit. GASB is software used to audit PCs. It will be effective as of Dec. 31. The process began Friday with the preliminary fieldwork. The actual audit is scheduled for the week of March 11. One concern was the resignation of Village Board Manager Susan Robertson. Her last day will be Dec. 27. Chief of Police Tom Czaja will …

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Click it or Ticket Initiative Takes Off This Week for Fox Point, Bayside Police

Bayside Police Capt. Scott McConnell says the worst part of being an officer is notifying family a loved one has been killed and says in many cases, wearing a seatbelt may have saved their life.

Traffic deaths are up in Wisconsin this year according to the state Bureau of Transportation and Bayside Police Capt. Scott McConnell says in many of those cases, passengers and drivers may have survived if they had been belted in.  "One of the worst aspects of an officers job is making a notification to a family member that one of their loved ones has been seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident," McConnell said.  To help save lives and prevent injuries, officers will stop a vehicle and issue tickets whenever they see a driver or passenger not wearing a safety belt during Click it or Ticket, a statewide initiative beginning today and running through June 3.  "I believe it is not a personal choice as some may think it …

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Fox Point-Bayside Patch Year in Review

The Best of Patch: June

A look back at the top headlines from Fox Point-Bayside Patch in 2011.

At year's end it's nice to take a look back at where you came, which offers a good look at where you're going. At Patch, June brought even more political controversy as the Governor signed the controversial state budget, Patch took an investigative look into North Shore squad car replacement and more. Take a look at the top stories Fox Point-Bayside Patch had in June. Walker Signs Wisconsin State Budget; Says It's Time to 'Turn the Page' Gov. Scott Walker signed his controversial 2011-13 budget bill into law, ending a heated six-month battle over the $66 billion spending plan. The bill features extensions to tax breaks for manufacturers and multistate corporations, which Republicans have said will spur job creation. It will also cut $800 …

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Fox Point-Bayside Patch Year in Review

The Best of Patch: May

A look back at the top headlines from Fox Point-Bayside Patch in 2011.

At year's end it's nice to take a look back at where you came, which offers a good look at where you're going. At Patch, May brought us changes in the political sphere yet again with the passing of the concealed carry law, some sweet activities at Bayside Middle School and a whole lot more Fox Point and Bayside Police Chiefs Take Opposing Sides on Concealed Carry With the passing of the concealed carry law, Fox Point and Bayside police chiefs took different sides on the issue of residents running with guns. Both Tom Czaja and Bruce Resnick mentioned the difference between annual firearms training for officers versus the proposed every five-year training for civilians. Neither thought every five years was sufficient. Cupcake Run: The …

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Fox Point and Bayside Police Chiefs Take Opposing Sides on Concealed Carry

Wisconsin and Illinois last two remaining states to not allow concealed carry, for now.

Walking past a man putting groceries in his car, you see as he leans forward that the butt of a 9mm handgun is sticking out of his jacket. Do you call the police? Maybe not. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a version of the concealed carry bill Wednesday that allows those over the age of 21 to carry concealed weapons without any training or permits. Fox Point and Bayside police chiefs take different sides on the issue of residents running with guns. "We don’t need any more guns out on the street right now," Fox Point Chief Tom Czaja said. "We have enough guns on the street. If people are carrying a concealed weapon, an argument could ensue where a person might take that out. In the heat of an argument, somebody may pull that out." …

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Pick of the Patch: Tom Czaja Working His Dream Job

A spotlight for our person of the week.

Fox Point Police Chief Tom Czaja sits behind his desk, peering out a window at Santa Monica Boulevard, a proud smile on his face. He's merely describing a typical day working at the police department, but his face evidences a man who spends his days doing exactly what he's always wanted to do. The Mequon resident has served as chief for the past 14 years, but his career in law enforcement spans more than three decades. Beginning as an officer for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department, Czaja then moved to the Whitefish Bay Police Department. He served there for 18 years and rose to the rank of lieutenant before coming to Fox Point. "I've always had an interest in law enforcement," said Czaja, who was exposed to the career …

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