MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Brad Schimel continued his 72-county statewide tour to meet with local law enforcement and elected officials with stops in Clark and Taylor Counties on Wednesday, January 10.
“A multi-disciplinary approach to finding solutions is important because the sources, as well as the negative outcomes, of our biggest public safety challenges affect many different disciplines and professions, from public safety to public health,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Today’s roundtable meetings allowed local and state leaders to take a step back and view the challenges facing our communities holistically.”
“I’m glad Attorney General Schimel took the time out of his busy schedule to come to Clark County and meet with us,” said Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick. “As discussed at the meeting, providing funding for mental health patients, and making drug abuse treatment available at affordable costs are crucial for the county’s wellbeing. The meeting was evidence that Attorney General Schimel is willing to address and help local law enforcement in solving some of the large challenges we face on a day to day basis.”
“I am very happy that Attorney General Schimel is taking the time to meet with public service leaders around the State of Wisconsin,” said Taylor County Sheriff Bruce Daniels. “I believe the time he spent with Taylor County representatives was valuable and that important information was exchanged.”
Attorney General Schimel and the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership team is meeting with law enforcement and local officials in every county to discuss public safety concerns specific to each county. The challenges faced by law enforcement leaders and the criminal justice system differ from county to county, even in neighboring communities, making it critical for DOJ to be responsive to public safety needs at the local level. DOJ is a public safety partner for local communities, and these meetings aim to discover what resources and efforts DOJ can provide to make Wisconsin safer and stronger.
DOJ financially supports a number of programs to help public safety officials keep the counties safe.
This year, the West Central Drug Task Force, which includes Clark County law enforcement, will receive more than $70,000 to help investigate drug distribution crimes in the area. This drug task force has also received more than $170,000 since 2015 to fight heroin and methamphetamine. These funds will be available through 2018.
Also, this year, the North Central Drug Enforcement Group, which includes Taylor County, will receive more than $51,000 for investigating drug distribution crimes. In addition, the North Central Drug Enforcement Group has received more than $157,000 since 2017 to fight heroin and methamphetamine.
Taylor County will also receive $100,000 this year from DOJ to expand the county’s alcohol and drug court, which provides an alternative to incarceration for those struggling with addiction.
DOJ also financially supports Clark and Taylor counties’ crime victim service organizations, ensuring that crime victims are given guidance and counseling as they participate in the criminal justice system. Since 2015, DOJ has provided organizations in Clark and Taylor counties nearly $320,000 to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in the area.
To see what other counties the Attorney General has visited, and where he will be going next, go to: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/ag-roundtable-map
