BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) — Law enforcement is on alert across the country ahead of potential protests around the inauguration of Joe Biden as President next Wednesday.
Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain joined sheriffs across the state in calling for calm next week.
Sheriff’s Lt. Kevin Pawlak says they’re not aware of any concerns surrounding local demonstrations.
“We just know there is a lot of tension out there,” Pawlak told WTAQ. “We understand that. If they want to assemble, we certainly support that, that’s part of the constitution, to peaceably assemble, but ‘peaceably’ is in there.”
Despite no specific threat of violence, Outagamie County will be operating their county-run buildings, including the courthouse, on limited hours next week. Brown County will not.
In the message from the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, sheriffs urged demonstrators not to open carry weapons at their demonstrations, a common sight at protests across the US this year.
“We just think it does more harm than good to your cause,” Pawlak said. “While you have the right to do it, it adds to our concern, it adds to everyone else’s concern, and it just raises the temperature.”
Seemingly alluding to the riot at the US Capitol last Wednesday, the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association letter also added: “We will not tell you what to do, but be mindful that you may not know who you are standing next to during a protest. For that reason, you may want to stay home. Those persons may take actions that may put you in a difficult position.”
The Wisconsin National Guard has been activated to help Madison Capitol Police ahead of potential demonstrations there.
