Health & Fitness
More Milwaukee Police Present In COVID-19 Testing Lines After Line Skipping, Altercations
More police officers are posted at Milwaukee's COVID-19 testing locations as the city health department cites altercations at testing lines.
MILWAUKEE, WI — The Milwaukee Police Department will have a greater presence at health department COVID-19 testing lines, the department announced Tuesday, as altercations and incidents of line jumping break out amid high tensions and a greater demand for testing.
People working at testing sites said there have been conflicts between people waiting to get tested and some staff, Emily Tau, the health department's spokesperson, told Patch. Some line jumpers try to cut into car testing lines when people hesitate to pull in, causing arguments.
The local police were already present at city testing lines, and there haven't been any arrests or reports of violence, police said. Police and traffic security have been increased for safety and organization, the Milwaukee Health Department said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Milwaukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Right now, emotions and stress is high," Tau said. "All those emotions can spill over to staff trying to keep the peace or others in line when someone tries to jump the line."
People who cut in line or cause altercations will be asked to move to the end of the line or to leave, the health department said.
Find out what's happening in Milwaukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Our team is working as hard as possible to provide free COVID-19 PCR tests to the community, and we truly appreciate the respect our community shows to one another," the department said.
Here are some testing locations and times from the city health department.
Northwest Health Center
- 7630 W. Mill Road
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
- 12 - 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Southside Health Center
- 1639 S. 23rd St.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
- 12 - 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Menomonee Valley Site
- 2401 W. St. Paul Ave.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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