Arrests On 5th Night Of Wauwatosa Police Shooting Protest

WAUWATOSA, WI— Four people were taken into custody during protests in Wauwatosa on Sunday, however police said there were no injuries or property damage for a second consecutive night of protests.

Police released the following information about the protests on Sunday:

• At 5:51 p.m. on Sunday, a group of about 50 people gathered at the 69th Street Plaza at N. 69th Street and W. North Avenue.
• At 7 p.m., the curfew went into effect. At 7:03 pm, Wauwatosa Police Officers warned the group that they were in violation of the curfew and asked them to disperse.
• From 7:05 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., the officers gave additional announcements, ordering the group to disperse.
• At 7:30 p.m., Wauwatosa Police Officers, with mutual aid officers, took two people into custody on W. North Avenue for curfew violations.

The remainder of the crowd dispersed. A person who livestreamed the event from the 69th Street Plaza gathering after the curfew went into effect and then continued to stream the events as they drove to Mayfair Mall and back to the area of the plaza, was pulled over at N. 69th Street and W. North Avenue and arrested for curfew violation. Police said the person was not a member of the press.

At 8 p.m., Wauwatosa Police made another arrest for a curfew violation on W. North Avenue. There were a total of four arrests on Sunday, all of which were municipal violations of the emergency curfew declaration, police said.

"Each day during the emergency declaration, we evaluated the activities of the previous evening, and adjusted our law enforcement response accordingly," the release said.

On Wednesday, the first night of protests, a large law enforcement presence, with support from Wisconsin National Guard, maintained order and safety, given the credible threats to numerous targets in Wauwatosa. A number of windows at homes and businesses were smashed, according to police.

Pepper balls and tear gas were used during Wednesday night's protests and unrest. Police didn't specify what "credible threats" were made.

The protests were peaceful until later in the evening when a group "disobeyed lawful orders to disperse," according to Wauwatosa Police.

Police described an event as a large disturbance that caused property damage. At one point, people in a group began throwing large rocks at law enforcement and buildings in the area of Swan Blvd and North Avenue, according to police. Residents were told to shelter inside their homes and lock their doors.

Police said tear gas was used in the area of North 102 Street and West Melvina Avenue in an attempt to break up the crowd. Police also said they responded to reports of multiple people driving recklessly on the wrong side of the highway, driving over curbs and medians. Videos posted to social media showed apparent looting at a gas station near North Avenue.

There were also reports of graffiti on businesses and squad cars in the area, according to social media posts.

On Thursday, police made 24 arrests. The mother and other siblings of a 17-year-old killed in a police shooting were also arrested Thursday night by Wauwatosa police. Tracy, Taleavia and Tristiana Cole were arrested after 9 p.m. near Wauwatosa and Milwaukee avenues.

Cole family attorney, Kimberly Motley, told Patch, Tracy Cole, Alvin's mother, was in the hospital after being arrested. A short time later Motley tweeted an update around 11 p.m. that Tracy and Tristiana Cole were released from the hospital.

On Saturday, police said the vast majority of demonstrators complied with the emergency curfew and only eight were arrested. On Sunday evening, given the cooperation from many demonstrators the previous night, and smaller crowds, law enforcement reduced their response which resulted in only four arrests.

"We appreciate those who made lawful choices these past several days by staying out of public
spaces during the hours of the emergency curfew, which has now expired," the release said.

Protests and unrest followed the news that suspended Wauwatosa Police Joseph Mensah will not face charges in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole at the Mayfair Mall in February. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm made the announcement after meeting with Cole's family and attorney.

A state of emergency and a curfew was imposed in the city of Wauwatosa. The curfew is between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night beginning at 7 p.m. on October 7 and ending at 6 a.m. on Monday.