WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI - The president of the Oconomowoc City Council is inviting community members to help with a new fundraising effort that will raise money for protective body armor for their police officers. The fundraiser is called "Protect our Cops."
The goal is to raise $40,000 for ballistic helmets and body armor inserts that will protect officers from high-power large caliber rifles. The current body armor that the officers wear only protects against pistol-caliber firearms and while the Oconomowoc community is a safe place to live, they have had several significant tactical situations over the last handful of years, Oconomowoc Enterprise reported.
Some examples of high-level tactical situations include a bank robbery, the shooting at Kroger's, and the active shooter on the overpass at Interstate 94 and Highway 67. "We also know that our police officers will respond to situations outside our community if called upon," Matt Rosek, president of the city council said. "Violent situations put our officers at greater risk than we have seen before. For all those reasons, we are actively raising money to help protect our officers."
The police department in Oconomowoc is completely funded by property tax dollars and is the largest single spend the city has in its annual budget. Police are on 24/7 patrolling, they do community outreach, and run a citizen's academy, along with other policing efforts to keep their community safe. "For the years I have been on the city council, I have made it a priority to increase funding for officers," Rosek said. "Ten years ago, we were severely understaffed. A new officer had not been added for nearly 20 years. This had to change," he added.
Over the last several years, the city council has worked with the mayor and staff to prioritize funding to put more police on the streets. Now the city has a strong patrol and detective presence. "We are truly fortunate to have a competent and fully funded police force here in the city. There is no question we are a safer community because of their commitment to our citizens," Rosek said.
Rosek highlighted the different fundraising initiatives that have been done over the years with the help of the community. "Many of you know that most of the funding for the body cameras ($150,000) and for K-9, Gabo ($125,000) was privately fundraised," he said. The first big event for the "Protect our Cops" fundraiser will be held at Wine Maniacs on July 22nd.
The cost is $125 per ticket with nearly all of the funds raised going toward the protective equipment. There will also be a live and silent auction at the event and anyone can join the sponsorship group for $250.
The goal is to raise $40,000 for ballistic helmets and body armor inserts that will protect officers from high-power large caliber rifles. The current body armor that the officers wear only protects against pistol-caliber firearms and while the Oconomowoc community is a safe place to live, they have had several significant tactical situations over the last handful of years, Oconomowoc Enterprise reported.
Some examples of high-level tactical situations include a bank robbery, the shooting at Kroger's, and the active shooter on the overpass at Interstate 94 and Highway 67. "We also know that our police officers will respond to situations outside our community if called upon," Matt Rosek, president of the city council said. "Violent situations put our officers at greater risk than we have seen before. For all those reasons, we are actively raising money to help protect our officers."
The police department in Oconomowoc is completely funded by property tax dollars and is the largest single spend the city has in its annual budget. Police are on 24/7 patrolling, they do community outreach, and run a citizen's academy, along with other policing efforts to keep their community safe. "For the years I have been on the city council, I have made it a priority to increase funding for officers," Rosek said. "Ten years ago, we were severely understaffed. A new officer had not been added for nearly 20 years. This had to change," he added.
Over the last several years, the city council has worked with the mayor and staff to prioritize funding to put more police on the streets. Now the city has a strong patrol and detective presence. "We are truly fortunate to have a competent and fully funded police force here in the city. There is no question we are a safer community because of their commitment to our citizens," Rosek said.
Rosek highlighted the different fundraising initiatives that have been done over the years with the help of the community. "Many of you know that most of the funding for the body cameras ($150,000) and for K-9, Gabo ($125,000) was privately fundraised," he said. The first big event for the "Protect our Cops" fundraiser will be held at Wine Maniacs on July 22nd.
The cost is $125 per ticket with nearly all of the funds raised going toward the protective equipment. There will also be a live and silent auction at the event and anyone can join the sponsorship group for $250.
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