Wrong-Way Driver Chase; KPD Vacancies; New Use For K-Mart Building

Apr. 17, 2021 1:05p 

From WGTD News:

The Kenosha Police and Fire Commission has a lot on its plate these days as it deals with vacancies at the top of both the police and fire departments, and unexpected retirements and resignations that have left the police department short-handed. The Commission will meet in regular session Tuesday morning at 9. The agenda includes a review of the formal resignation and retirement statements of five police officers, including one who says he's retiring early because of the "debilitating mental and emotional trauma" which developed as a resulting of the violence that took place following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Another retirement letter comes from the chief himself, Daniel Miskinis, who says the commitment he made in 2016 to serve as chief for at least five years has been fulfilled. In his letter, Miskinis said he believes there are "qualified, dedicated and talented candidates within the department who have what it takes to lead the department into the future." The commission is expected to name Deputy Police Chief Eric Larsen to serve as interim police chief, and Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Bigley to serve as interim fire chief, temporarily replacing Charles Leipzig, who retired several months ago. The agenda also includes a discussion on the recruitment of police officer candidates. Four weeks ago, WGTD News was told that 15 sworn officer positions were vacant in the department.. That's an unusually high number.

-0-

A suspected drunk driver led Kenosha County Sheriff's deputies on a 20-mile-long chase early Saturday morning. It began at 4 a.m. with the driver traveling east in the westbound lanes of Highway 50 near New Munster. The driver almost struck another vehicle. According to an email from the department, a deputy located the offending vehicle near Highway 83 and initiated a traffic stop. But the driver took off after the deputy approached. Several attempts were made to stop the vehicle with tire deflation devices. The vehicle was finally stopped west of I-94 on Highway C in Pleasant Prairie. The driver was taken into custody without incident and was charged with OWI.  

-0-

A new use has been found for the vacant K-Mart building on 52nd St. in Kenosha. A developer wants to turn the building into 850 indoor self-storage units. The city's Plan Commission is expected to discuss the proposal at its regularly-scheduled meeting Thursday evening. 

-0-