Cell Phone Image by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha, Wis. – Alderman Rollin Pizzala is facing renewed scrutiny after being spotted once again engaging in actions that appear to be outside the scope of his duties as a city legislator. On Thursday afternoon, a tip-off to Kenosha County Eye (KCE) reported Pizzala actively patrolling the 43rd Avenue neighborhood north of 60th Street, raising concerns among residents about his actions.
Pizzala was reportedly “inspecting” properties in the area for code violations, such as property maintenance, parking regulations and other local ordinances and state statutes.
When KCE arrived in the area to investigate, we spotted Pizzala driving an older Lincoln Town Car, equipped with flashing strobe lights, a specialized communications antenna, and a “ticket book.” Pizzala also had a “City of Kenosha” identification hanging from a lanyard around his neck.
Local residents expressed concern that Pizzala’s presence in the area seemed like an attempt to impersonate an enforcement official. Some believed his actions could be intimidating, especially since he was issuing what appeared to be “citations” for minor infractions, such as parking too closely to driveways or crosswalks. On one occasion, he was even reported to have used a ruler to measure the length of grass in a local yard and issuing a “citation” for grass that he deemed “too tall.”
These actions are not the first time Pizzala has faced accusations of overstepping his authority. In a previous incident, which KCE reported on last year, a woman filed a formal complaint with the Kenosha Police Department, alleging that Pizzala had harassed her with similar “citations.” The complaint, which was detailed in an earlier report, raised serious concerns about racial motivations for his actions. The woman claimed that Pizzala’s behavior had made her feel targeted and harassed, contributing to a climate of tension and mistrust in the neighborhood.
For context, here is the link to the original article:
In an attempt to get clarification, KCE approached Pizzala and asked what he was doing in the neighborhood. Pizzala’s response was far from professional. He mumbled something unintelligible before saying, “go fuck yourself,” and speeding off. The entire exchange was captured on camera, as seen below.
Cell Phone Image by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Pizzala has yet to publicly comment on the latest allegations. However, the ongoing reports of his overreach as an elected official have left many questioning his motives and the appropriateness of his actions.
KCE reached out to the mayor’s office for comment on the issue and City Administrator John Morrissey released the following statement:
“I don’t believe it is my position to tell an alderperson how best to serve their constituents or to monitor the activity or condition of their district. I do however appreciate that an alderperson does report issues, such as potholes, in their district. I believe his use of the amber flashing lights was done as a safety precaution, similar to wearing the safety vest when he was exiting the vehicle to take pictures. Nevertheless, I did speak with the alderperson and advised him to use the emergency flashers on his vehicle as a safety measure if he was going to be stopping to take pictures of neighborhood concerns. I also advised him to simply report the violation to the correct city department for followup.”
(Obtained Via Public Records Request)
(Obtained Via Public Records Request)
18 Responses
Was working in a rental property last year that was empty of tenants, listening to music and working and a man came up to me and grabbed me it was this gentleman! He started to explain that there was over grown grass and the concrete steps to the house looked bad ect, I said sir we just took possession of the property and we’re going to get as much taken. Care of as we can, I told him he should not be walking into peoples property and he said he had authority I asked him to leave before I physically removed him from the property 60th and 37th area
Too bad he didn’t call your bluff.
Documenting potholes in Kenosha.
Not enough paper in the world for that.
Guy needs to get a life
He was probably diagnosed with LWS.
“Little wiener syndrome”
Taking out his anger doing this to people
What a pyscho.
Pizzala walks down my street often, and seems to believe he is a police officer, threatening his constituents with citations.
In addition … why is it that the only place where there is no parking on either side of 44th street from 39th Avenue to Pershing JUST HAPPENS to be the block that abuts alderman Pizzala’s house? There is no change to the street, just the ability for people to park on the street.
I’m confused. He lives on 53rd St and 43rd Ave
By the looks of his body, he needs to walk alot more.
Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs
Sure there are many questions about his “authority” to issue citations or even to randomly walk onto and maybe into back yards and into gated properties but , if the local residents in his ward are tired of these intrusions, then vote him out of office !
Simple solution.
Sure he needs to be investigated as to what if any authority he has representing the city but as far as I’m concerned, other than the city meeting he has no authority over anyone or anything.
See ya !
Ok- so where is neighborhood services/code enforcement?
They shred most of what is sent to them, and tax the hell out of the rest of us.
Neighborhood services should have a call screen type page that is public, and how they responded to it so it is shown they’re earning their pay.
He’s a crusty old codger of a man, bitter as spoiled milk, who wakes up hating his life and makes it his daily mission to spread the misery—like it’s some civic duty. A wannabe street cop without a badge, barking about bike lanes and garbage cans like he’s in a war zone. Nobody asked for a neighborhood hall monitor, but he shows up anyway, clinging to control like it’s all he’s got left.
Kevin, I think you should keep putting the cables on this lame. I love watching people who think they have authority get challenged. Dude’s a power doucher. Keep up the good work!
I hope he doesn’t overstep so much, as to
have a rescue squad show up too.
I would crumple the citation and bounce it off his dome. What a d bag.
Got a few chuckles out of this. A Lincoln patrol car with “PIZZA” on the license plates.
But also quite a few years ago I was at a city council meeting where All. George Fitchett was complaining about some issues in his ward. The mayor, Wally Burkee, tore into him and said that, in light of his critical view of city officials, he should go out and patrol. Wonder what Wally would say today.
Also remember in Madison an east side businessman complaining at a city council meeting about crime problems in his neighborhood. It was a very long meeting because the city budget was on the agenda. Mayor Joel Skornica and the businessman’s alderman, Hank Luffler, rode home together, passing by the business and catching a burglar coming out of the door. Personal service!
That’s what I like, the Alderman is making sure that the district he represents has a nice living environment by not having slum conditions taking over.
This guy reminds of the owner of Frankie’s Diner. An absolute total dunse that entitled for more power and control