Home Page: Police Department

Police Department

Law Enforcement
Non-Emergency Only: 
920-622-4148











Chief of Police:
Russell Saunders

Deputy:
Brent Knutson

The Village of Wild Rose Police Department offers On Vacation House Check.  Stop in and get a form at the Village Police Station.

Census 2010:  How to Avoid Fraud from Chief Saunders With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Wild Rose Police Dept advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? The Wild Rose Police Department offers the following advice: If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. • REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO  THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Anyone asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.  AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest The Wild Rose Police Dept joins nationwide law enforcement crackdown to prevent drunken driving  To combat the deadly dangers of drunken driving, Wild Rose Police officers will be out in force to arrest impaired motorists as part of a nationwide law enforcement crackdown from Aug. 21 through Sept. 7.  The “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” crackdown will combine stringent law enforcement with a federally funded media campaign to deter impaired driving. Chief Saunders said, “Drunken driving is too prevalent and too deadly to ignore. That’s why we don’t give warnings or accept excuses for drunken driving. If you’re over the limit, you’ll be arrested. The decision to drive while impaired will likely be one you’ll regret the rest of your life, if you’re lucky enough to live. During the upcoming crackdown and throughout the rest of the year, our goal is not to arrest more drunken drivers. We simply are trying to save lives and prevent injuries.  If we can deter people from getting behind the wheel when they’re impaired, we will make progress toward the goal of reducing the number of preventable traffic deaths to Zero in Wisconsin.” Instead of risking an arrest for impaired driving, Chief Saunders offers the following suggestions: Choose a sober designated driver before you start to drink.  If you’re feeling buzzed, you probably are over the 0.08 (alcohol concentration) limit and should not drive. Rather than drive while impaired, take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive you home. Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Drunken driving devastates individuals, families and whole communities. Last year, alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin killed 234 people and injured 4,319, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Approximately 37,000 drivers—a number nearly equal to the population of Beloit—were convicted of drunken driving in Wisconsin in 2008. This year, deaths from motorcycle crashes are increasing compared with last year, and approximately 47 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in Wisconsin are alcohol-related.   Visit "http://www.tlw.org/public/saferide.shtml" and click on Safe Ride for more information.

The Wild Rose Police Dept Urges Parents and Caregivers to Get Their Child Safety Seats Inspected [Wild Rose, WI] – Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children age 3 to 6 and 8 to 14.  In 2007, 6,532 passenger vehicle occupants 14 and younger were involved in fatal crashes.  That’s why the Wild Rose Police Dept is urging all parents and caregivers to attend the “National Seat Check Saturday” event on Sept. 12th 2009.  As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 12-18). Wild Rose Police will have certified technicians available to provide on-site child safety seat inspections and education from 9:00am-12:00pm at the police department, 500 Main St in Wild Rose.  “It’s the responsibility of every parent and caregiver out there to make sure their children are safely restrained – every trip, every time,” said Chief Saunders.  “We are urging everyone to get their child safety seats inspected.  When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes.” In 2007, among children under 5, an estimated 358 lives were saved from the use of child safety seats and booster seats.  If all children under the age of 5 were restrained, an additional 71 children would have been saved.  For maximum child passenger safety, Chief Saunders said parents and caregivers should refer to the following 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on age and size.   For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds). Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall). When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belts in the back seat, if they fit properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest). Remember: All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week, a national effort to remind parents and caregivers of the lifesaving effect child safety seats have in protecting young children, please visit  "http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps"     CONTACT: Chief Russell Saunders 920-622-4148

Wild Rose Officers to be vigilant in enforcing new Primary Safety Belt Law

Law enforcement officers in Wisconsin may now stop and ticket drivers and passengers who are not wearing safety belts even if the officers do not observe another traffic or vehicle equipment violation. The state budget, signed recently by Governor Jim Doyle, strengthens Wisconsin’s mandatory safety belt law by adopting what is known as primary enforcement.

“The state’s safety belt law, which has been in effect since 1987, will now be enforced just like any other traffic safety law. Previously, officers had to stop motorists for another violation before they could issue a safety belt citation. With the change to primary enforcement, officers only need to observe an unbuckled driver or passenger in order to stop the vehicle and ticket the offender,” says Chief Saunders. “Although primary enforcement will be a valuable tool for officers, we’re not striving to write more tickets. Our goal is to save lives and prevent injuries by increasing voluntary compliance with the safety belt law. Unfortunately, too many people believe that a violent crash will never happen to them, so they don’t fasten their safety belt. However, with primary enforcement, more people may voluntarily make buckling up a habit simply to avoid the risk of being stopped and ticketed.”

Currently, Wisconsin’s safety belt use rate is approximately 74 percent, which is one of the lowest in the nation (44th out of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) and well below the national average of 83 percent.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that when states upgrade to primary enforcement, their safety belt use rate typically increases about 10 percent. In Wisconsin, a 10 percent increase in safety belt use would save about 44 lives and prevent 650 injuries each year.

A 10 percent increase in safety belt use would also save state residents about $147 million annually in traffic crash costs, according to NHTSA. Motorists who are hurt or killed in traffic crashes because they were not buckled create significant economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost worker productivity. The rest of society indirectly or directly pays for nearly 75% of these economic losses through higher medical and vehicle insurance premiums, w orkers compensation, taxes, and other public funding, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The change to primary enforcement does not increase the cost of a safety belt citation, which is still $10 with no demerit points assessed on a driver’s license.

“The Village of Wild Rose Police Department will actively enforce Seat Belt laws in the Village of Wild Rose and believe all will be safer on our streets and highways with compliance to this new legislation" said Wild Rose Police Department Chief of Police Russ Saunders.

Problem Oriented Policing  Community Policing for the 21st Century Chief of Police Russell Saunders recently shared details case study as an example of Problem Oriented Policing (POP) he solved here in the Village of Wild Rose. The POP Project The Police Department had regularly received complaints from citizens regarding the condition of the property. The run down property seemed to be a haven for underage drinking, as well as rumored drug sales and use. In the last year the Police Department received 22 complaints from citizens about the property. Of those, 17 were about the condition of the property, 4 were complaints about regular traffic and drug sales occurring. There were 6 dual complaints about the condition and the drug use/sales. There was 1 complaint regarding the occupant’s dog wandering in the roadway. When Chief Saunders first arrived at the Police Department, he sent a survey to the residents. There were several concerns expressed regarding this particular place and the activities there. It was one of the biggest problems cited. Property Condition and Layout The condition of the property was poor. The home was run down and in dire need of repair. The property was littered with junk cars as well as other piles of construction debris and garbage. The yard was also overgrown with grass, weeds, and trees making the backyard a perfect place to drink and do drugs without being seen from the street. This created a problem because the juveniles often hung around in the back. They also went so far as to pitch tents and spend days or weeks at a time there in a makeshift camp. Village Residents, the Victims Residents in the neighborhood were faced with declining property values as a result of the condition of this location. They were also faced with juveniles and undesirable people prowling their neighborhood. Many of those offenders were intoxicated or high on numerous drugs. There had been no problems with burglary or theft, but that could have easily become an issue. There had been problems with vandalism at the village park located directly across the street from the location. Offenders The renter of the home was the main cause for the disrepair. He moved in under a verbal agreement with the owner to "fix up the place"in lieu of rent. Preliminary Plan of Action Instead of going to the renter, Chief Saunders sent certified letters to the property owner putting him on notice that the property must be cleaned up. He was given specific time frames as to when this was expected to be done. Chief Saunders made the owner of the property responsible and bypassed the renter. The Chief received an immediate response from the owner and cleanup began. When the cleanup was not completed according to the time frame, the owner was issued citations for code violations. The cleanup resumed immediately. By sticking to the terms of the notice and taking immediate action when they were not followed, it proved the Police Department’s resolve in this matter. Additionally, Chief Saunders was able to use this opportunity to educate the owner as to his rights and responsibilities regarding his property. He was given information on eviction as well and it appeared he would follow that path. The owner even mentioned donating the property to the Village and expanding the park to this location. Other items on Chief Saunders handling of this issue using POP involved possible ordinances regarding the use of tents in the Village, hours the park is open and supervision during hours when the park would be closed, and including additional policing of the area including the park. The Police Department also began doing Field Interviews (FI) cards to help track the people in the area, as well as identify them and their motives for being there. These FIs have proven to be a great way to talk to people and get information regarding other crimes occurring and those committing them. Resolution Chief Saunders and Deputy Knutson maintained pressure on the owner and the renter, making it more undesirable for the offenders to continue their behavior at this location and by using the small size of the town and the closeness of the residence in our favor. By getting everyone involved int the solutions and showing the police Department will enforce the laws and come up with solutions; it has had the added benefit of others starting to clean up their places. This has created a team atmosphere and should be a great benefit to the community as a whole. After speaking with the owner of the property on several occasion, Chief Saunders was able to get the owner to start the eviction process. In the meantime, the Police Department kept up their enforcement actions on the residents and frequent visitors to the property. The tenant vacated the property shortly after being served an eviction notice and moved out of the area. The owner of the property donated the land to the village. The Village Board voted to raze the property and sell it to to the re-coup their investment. As of this date the structures have been torn down the property has been cleaned. It is now for sale. For more on Problem Oriented Policing and what it is all about...

2009 Bow Hunting Regulations for the Village of Wild Rose

The Village Board and its committees along with the Police Department are in the process of updating it 2009 Bow Hunting Regulations, Polices and Ordinances.  Previously, hunting has been allowed by village residents and land owners by lottery and in accordance with DNR regulations.  

Please check back soon for the revised ordinances and policies.  The lottery generally is held during the end of August into the beginning of September.  If you are interested in participating, please contact the village Police Department.