By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
Citing officer safety concerns, the Wausau Police Department will seek American Rescue Plan Act funding to erect a fence around its parking lot.
In 2021, former Police Chief Ben Bliven requested $75,000 for an 8-foot ornamental fence through the Capital Improvement Project process. But by the time bids were put out for the project costs had spiked, with bids coming in well over projected totals. Police say concerns from staff remain.
The issue of ambush-style assaults on police is a growing concern nationwide, according to Lt. Luis Lopes Serrao’s funding request. Serrao points to a March 2020 incident in Appleton when an officer was stabbed multiple times after leaving the APD.
In Wausau, officers have also faced challenges, Serrao said. In one instance, a man armed with a sharp object approached officers who were performing start-of-shift squad inspections and started to slice his own neck. Officers were forced to use Tasers to stop the man and get help.
The police department lot is used by the emergency vehicle fleet, employees and the public, with no separation.
Serrao said he surveyed the department about the fence and found 72 of 75 people responding in favor of a fence. And 59 employees said they have personally had concerning issues with people or vehicles in the lot.
General concerns were issues with people filming personal vehicles, confrontations by mentally ill people or people using drugs, vehicles pulling in and blocking officers in their squad cars and damage to both personal and department-owned vehicles, the survey reported.
The department also wants to continue maintaining a safe-exchange area, officials said.
A survey of 16 departments in similar-sized communities shows Wausau is just one of two that does not have a fence or garage for parking.
The project ranges in price from $45,000 to more than $200,000, depending on the style chosen by city officials, with three options presented. A chain-link fence on all three sides of the parking lot is the least expensive option, followed by ornamental fencing on Grand Avenue only and ornamental fencing on all three sides.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) into law. The $1.9 trillion package, based on President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, aimed to to support COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost revenue, support economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address systemic public health and economic challenges.
The Finance Committee meets on Tuesday at City Hall and a decision would be subject to full Council approval. See the full packet here.
