County Executive Kerkman Hosts Law Enforcement Summit

Copied!

Local Law Enforcement Leaders In County Executive Kerkman’s Office Wednesday
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Today, County Executive Samantha Kerkman hosted the seven local law enforcement leaders to her office for lunch and conversation. Present were KPD Chief Patrick Patton, Sheriff David W. Zoerner, State Police Captain Brad Ocain, Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana, UW-Parkside Police Chief James Heller, Twin Lakes Police Chief Adam Grosz, and Carthage College Director of Public Safety Mike Polzin.

Paid Advertisement

Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner and Wisconsin State Police Captain Brad Ocain
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

This was the inaugural event organized by Kerkman to bring the county’s law enforcement leaders all to the same table – literally. Among the discussions were opioids, human trafficking, and emergency management.

Paid Advertisement

Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The two biggest departments in Kenosha County, the Kenosha Police Department and the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department, have new, young leaders. Both seem determined to implement proactive law enforcement policies. They both are friends to transparency. Recently, both Chief Patton and Sheriff Zoerner have agreed to change the way their agencies share law enforcement data with the media. Available now to local media, elected leaders, and law enforcement are daily emails. These emails contain spreadsheets of the calls for service for the day prior. That means the raw data is being shared, making it easier for elected officials and the media to locate, request, and disseminate law enforcement data to the public.

Paid Advertisement

Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The Pleasant Prairie Police department is also very transparent to the media. Even with a smaller law enforcement support staff, they get records out quickly.

Paid Advertisement

County Executive Samantha Kerkman
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

“[We talked] about the issues that are impacting each one of our jurisdictions.” said Kerkman. “[We are] really looking for areas of collaboration….You can drive down highway 50 and go through three law enforcement jurisdictions.” Kerkman announced the creation of a new county position called the Prevention Specialist. Right now, the county is in the beginning stages of creating this position. This position will be funded by the opioid lawsuit settlement and is meant to help fight the opioid crisis. It involves early education using a curriculum.

Paid Advertisement

The goal of this multijurisdictional discussion was to strengthen relationships, to encourage collaboration on areas where agencies might work better to serve Kenosha County, and to discuss needs ahead of the state and local budget cycles.

Paid Advertisement

Twin Lakes Police Chief Adam Grosz
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

UW-Parkside Police Chief James Heller
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Carthage College Director of Public Safety Mike Polzin
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

View All Articles

Copied!

LATEST NEWS

Plus +

Judge Iverson Sentences ‘Laffy Taffy’ Killer to Life Plus Seven Years With No Chance of Parole

Treshawn L. Tooks, 24, of Kenosha in Court(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — The same pink Laffy Taffy wrappers investigators said helped lead police to Treshawn L. Tooks ultimately followed him all the way to sentencing Friday, where Judge Heather Iverson sentenced the 24-year-old Kenosha man to life in prison plus seven additional years with no eligibility for parole

May 22, 2026 16 Comments

Pleasant Prairie Man Charged With Incest, Repeated Child Sex Assault Allegations; Court Sets $100,000 Cash Bail

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie man accused of prolonged sexual abuse involving minors appeared before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun this week, where prosecutors sought a $250,000 cash bond before the court ultimately ordered a $100,000 cash bond and strict conditions, including no contact with multiple individuals and no contact with anyone under age 18.

May 22, 2026 11 Comments

Kenosha Realtor Accused of Fraud, Theft in Lawsuit; Earnest Money Case Ends Before Trial After Parties Agree to Dismissal

Nina Ferraro – Realtor, Welcom Home Real Estate Group KENOSHA, Wis. — A lawsuit that accused Nina Ferraro, of Welcome Home Real Estate Group, of fraud and theft in connection with a disputed $4,000 earnest money payment involving out-of-state senior citizens has come to an end before trial after court

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Illinois Man Accused of Attempted Kidnapping at Pleasant Prairie Dairy Queen Gets $50,000 Cash Bail

Rayshawn D. Burnett, 23, of Grayslake, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — An Illinois man accused of attempting to force his ex-girlfriend into a vehicle outside a Pleasant Prairie Dairy Queen appeared in court Friday, where Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun set a $50,000 cash

May 22, 2026 3 Comments

Plus +

Four Officially Charged in Trevor Drug House Investigation; Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun Hands Down Widely Different Cash Bails

Tammy Faye Wilton, 54, and Thomas Donald Wilton Jr., 50, Both of TrevorAlicia Renee Wojtowicz, 42 and Frank W. McClaughry Jr., 40, Both of Trevor(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TREVOR, Wis. — All four people arrested in the Trevor investigation that brought a major Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and K-DOG response have

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Woman Accused of Choking Son, Striking Child Receives $500 Cash Bail in Kenosha Felony Case

Maryjane V. James, 41, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 41-year-old Kenosha woman accused of choking one child and physically assaulting another was ordered held Friday on a $500 cash bond after prosecutors filed multiple charges, including felony strangulation and felony child abuse. Court records show District

May 22, 2026 2 Comments

Plus +

Milwaukee Man Accused of Choking Woman, Pointing Gun at Her Has $7,500 Cash Bail Set

D’Sean A. Williams, 21, of Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Milwaukee man accused of choking a woman and pointing a handgun at her head during a domestic violence incident was ordered held on a $7,500 cash bail Friday after prosecutors requested the same amount during his initial

May 22, 2026 3 Comments

Plus +

Repeat Drug Offender Accused of Selling Crack Near School and Park Gets $25,000 Cash Bail

Marshall T. Hill, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Marshall T. Hill, 40, of Kenosha appeared Friday before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun and was ordered held on a $25,000 cash bond after prosecutors alleged he repeatedly sold crack cocaine during a Kenosha Police

May 22, 2026 No Comments

Authors

2 Responses

JimBob says:

March 30, 2023 at 8:44 PM

No mention of one of Kenosha County’s biggest law enforcement obstacles, Mike Graveley.

Reply
Rob Okray says:

April 3, 2023 at 6:26 PM

Fix the damn roads! Cut the grass! Kill the weeds in the medians! You know basic county and city services? This place looks like a shanty town!

1

Reply

Add a Comment Cancel reply

LATEST NEWS

Plus +

Judge Iverson Sentences ‘Laffy Taffy’ Killer to Life Plus Seven Years With No Chance of Parole

May 22, 2026 16 Comments

Pleasant Prairie Man Charged With Incest, Repeated Child Sex Assault Allegations; Court Sets $100,000 Cash Bail

May 22, 2026 11 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Realtor Accused of Fraud, Theft in Lawsuit; Earnest Money Case Ends Before Trial After Parties Agree to Dismissal

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Illinois Man Accused of Attempted Kidnapping at Pleasant Prairie Dairy Queen Gets $50,000 Cash Bail

May 22, 2026 3 Comments

Plus +

Four Officially Charged in Trevor Drug House Investigation; Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun Hands Down Widely Different Cash Bails

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Woman Accused of Choking Son, Striking Child Receives $500 Cash Bail in Kenosha Felony Case

May 22, 2026 2 Comments

Plus +

Milwaukee Man Accused of Choking Woman, Pointing Gun at Her Has $7,500 Cash Bail Set

May 22, 2026 3 Comments

Plus +

Repeat Drug Offender Accused of Selling Crack Near School and Park Gets $25,000 Cash Bail

May 22, 2026 No Comments

Plus +

Co-Defendants in Same Trevor Mail Theft Case Receive Starkly Different Cash Bails From Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun

Alicia Renee Wojtowicz, 42, of Trevor(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TREVOR, Wis. — Two co-defendants accused in the same Trevor mail theft and identity fraud investigation walked into court on nearly identical allegations this week but walked out with dramatically different bail outcomes after appearing before Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun. Frank W. McClaughry Jr., 40, of Trevor, was given a $5,000 cash

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Massive Drug Bust in Kenosha Nets Fentanyl, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Psychedelics and More Than $62,000 in Narcotics

Daniel R. Love, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A narcotics investigation by the Kenosha Drug Operations Group led to the arrest of a 40-year-old Kenosha man and the seizure of a large assortment of drugs with an estimated street value exceeding $62,000, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Seized Evidence(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Daniel R. Love, 40, of

May 22, 2026 12 Comments

Plus +

Felony Domestic Abuse Suspect Arrested on $15,000 Warrant After Woman Allegedly Stabbed, Due in Court Today

Clay E. Thomas Jr., 48, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of throwing a kitchen knife into a woman during a domestic dispute was arrested Thursday on a previously issued $15,000 warrant and is expected to make his first court appearance today at 1 p.m. before a court commissioner. Clay E. Thomas Jr., 48, of Kenosha(Kenosha County

May 22, 2026 2 Comments

Memorial Day Holiday To Delay Kenosha Trash, Recycling Collection Schedule

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha residents will need to plan for a temporary change in garbage and recycling pickup schedules as the Memorial Day holiday approaches, with city officials announcing that collection services will not operate on Memorial Day. The City of Kenosha Department of Public Works said there will be no curbside collection Monday, May 25, for garbage, recycling, brush, televisions, tires, compostables,

May 22, 2026 1 Comment

New Playground With Accessibility Upgrades Set To Open At Old Settlers Park

PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — Families in western Kenosha County will soon have a new place for children to play as county officials prepare to unveil a renovated playground at Old Settlers Park featuring expanded accessibility and safety improvements. Kenosha County officials announced that a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the updated playground will take place June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Old Settlers Park, located

May 22, 2026 No Comments

Plus +

Woman Arrested Yesterday On Outstanding Warrant For Felony Elder Abuse, Expected In Court Later Today

Gabriella L. Reyes, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman accused of physically assaulting an older woman was arrested Thursday on an outstanding warrant and is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon on felony charges stemming from an alleged March attack. Gabriella L. Reyes, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view

May 22, 2026 No Comments

Free Summer Concerts, Movies and Fitness Events Returning to Kenosha County Parks

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Free concerts, movie nights, yoga sessions and several new activities will soon return to parks across Kenosha County as county officials roll out another summer schedule packed with weekly events beginning in June. County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced this week that the county’s annual summer parks programming will return with a mix of familiar favorites and new offerings designed

May 22, 2026 No Comments

KUSD Pride Resolution Renews Debate Over School Board Priorities Following Carl Bryan Controversy

KENOSHA, Wis. — A symbolic Pride Month resolution scheduled for consideration by the Kenosha Unified School Board next week is renewing debate among residents over whether schools should involve themselves in social and cultural issues at all. The proposal comes as newly elected school board president Carl Bryan, who is openly homosexual, has faced increased attention on social media after photos circulated online

May 21, 2026 49 Comments

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged With 20 Animal Neglect Counts After Police Allege Dogs Were Kept in Filthy Conditions

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing 20 misdemeanor animal neglect and mistreatment charges after prosecutors filed a criminal complaint alleging several dogs were found living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions at his residence. Terrell James Taylor, 33, of Kenosha, was charged May 20 and is scheduled to make an initial appearance

May 21, 2026 4 Comments

Plus +

Man Charged in Identity Theft Case Linked to Larger Trevor Drug House Investigation; Illinois Warrants Also Surface

TREVOR, Wis. — Frank W. McClaughry Jr., 40, of Trevor, was formally charged Wednesday with identity theft, two felony bail jumping counts and mail theft allegations, and is expected to make an initial court appearance Thursday. Court records indicate the newly filed allegations are tied to what authorities describe as a much broader investigation involving an alleged Trevor drug house, stolen mail, fraud

May 21, 2026 2 Comments

GoFundMe Set Up for Trevor Family After House Fire Leaves Home a Complete Loss

TREVOR, Wis. — A GoFundMe campaign has been established for a Trevor family after a house fire Wednesday left their home a complete loss and destroyed nearly everything inside. Emergency dispatch records show the fire call for the residence in the 9950 block of 270th Court was entered at approximately 10:04 a.m. Initial reports indicated callers could see smoke and flames coming through

May 21, 2026 30 Comments

Plus +

Felony False Imprisonment, Threats Alleged Against Kenosha Man; Separate Drug Case Filed Same Day

Michael J. Ruiz Jr., 26, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 26-year-old Kenosha man appeared before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low Bail” Braun on Thursday after prosecutors filed two separate criminal cases against him the same day, including a felony domestic violence case alleging he physically restrained a woman, threatened to kill her and others, and a separate

May 21, 2026 4 Comments

City Earns Tree City USA Recognition for 44th Year

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha has once again received national recognition for its efforts in maintaining and growing the community’s urban forest, marking another year of acknowledgment for its environmental and beautification work. The city announced Thursday that it earned the 2025 Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, an annual recognition program that honors communities committed to proper

May 21, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Kenosha Man Facing Felony Domestic Abuse Case Hit With New Felony Charge After Allegedly Violating No-Contact Order

Daniel J. Plants, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Daniel J. Plants, 24, of Kenosha, who was already facing a felony domestic abuse case enhanced because of multiple prior domestic violence convictions, appeared in court Thursday on a new felony bail jumping charge after prosecutors alleged he violated conditions of release involving the same woman. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus

May 21, 2026 4 Comments

Plus +

Felony Bail Jumping Charges Filed After Witness Reports Man Punched Woman, Smashed Her Face Into Van Window

Cory R. Schlesner, 54, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A Kenosha man with pending felony cases in Walworth County is facing new charges after a witness reported seeing him repeatedly punch a woman and slam her head into a vehicle window. During his initial appearance Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus requested a $1,500 cash bail, while Liberal Activist Supplemental

May 21, 2026 1 Comment

Plus +

Illinois Man Accused of Breaking Girlfriend’s Nose, Punching Her Repeatedly at Pleasant Prairie Outlet Mall Released on No-Cash Bail

Christopher Flores, 19, of Vernon Hills, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus requested a no-cash bail Thursday for a 19-year-old Illinois man accused of repeatedly punching his girlfriend and leaving her with significant injuries, and Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low Bail” Braun granted that request during Christopher Flores’ initial appearance. Christopher Flores, 19, of

May 21, 2026 9 Comments