Wauwatosa Community Unites To Clean Up After Unrest

WAUWATOSA, WI— Pepper balls and tear gas were used during Wednesday night's protests and unrest in Wauwatosa following 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.

Patch reached out to groups such as The Peoples Revolution of Milwaukee, part of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression for comment but haven't heard back as of Thursday morning.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm made the announcement regarding Mensah Wednesday after meeting with Cole's family and attorney.

"There is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable," Chisholm said in a 14-page document addressed to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber. "I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah."

Kimberly Motley, attorney for the Cole family, issued the following statement to Patch:

"The FPC Investigator determined that Joseph Mensah is not fit to be a police officer and should be terminated for just cause - primarily based on the Jay Anderson shooting in June 2016. DA Chisholm does not believe that he can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mensah is guilty of homicide with regards to Alvin Cole's shooting in February 2020 and does not call the shooting justified.

Had Mensah been fired in 2016 as he should have been then Alvin Cole would be alive today. Chisholm agrees with what we see, Alvin Cole 2 shots to the back, 3 shots when he was face down on the ground is not justified. We will continue to fight. This is FAR from over! Stay tuned."

Peaceful protests and unrest

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.

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.

It is not known at this time how many people were arrested or cited.

Community Clean-Up

Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Shawn Rolland and Wisconsin State Representative Robyn Vining organized a "Let's Heal Wauwatosa" event on Thursday morning along North Avenue.

A group of 50 to 60 people armed with gloves, brooms, and other tools took to the streets.

Rolland said many residents like himself were glued to the television and computer watching all the coverage of the unrest.

"We were all saying somebody should do something and thought why don't we be that somebody," Rolland told Patch.

One of the businesses damaged was Miss Molly's Cafe & Pastry Shop, 9201 W. Center St. The owners posted a picture of smashed windows and broken glass on the floor inside. The owners also posted a Facebook message.

"Oh 2020, what else do you have in store for us? We got hit with a brick through one of our windows, no one took anything and multiple people have told me there were neighbors here to help. All we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward and do our part to create a more just and empathetic community. Thank you all for your messages and support tonight, Wauwatosa needs it."

Another business North Avenue Grill, 7225 W North Ave., was ready to get back to normal posting a simple message on social media.

"We may be boarded up but we are open and ready to fill your belly! Come on in!"

For Rolland, the vibe this morning was people wanting to be a part of a positive solution. From the conversations he had on the street, Rolland heard the desire to find a way to reduce systemic racism, reform the police. He added the community also wants to support the small businesses that have been hit hard during the pandemic.

"People don't want to just clean up the glass but also make the community better in a long-term way," Rolland said.

Patrick O'Neill, a Wauwatosa resident, drove down North Avenue Thursday morning where he saw people working together to clean-up.

"What I saw this a.m. was a street that was left better than it was found," he posted on Facebook. "The world is (expletive) right now, but to the young woman I saw this am picking up the street... thank you for reminding me to do what Mr. Rogers said to look for the people helping."