APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — Appleton Police, like police across the state and across the country, are ready for potential unrest in the wake of the Derek Chauvin verdict, which was announced this afternoon in Minneapolis.
Sgt. Meghan Cash is with the Appleton Police Department.
“Our take on any event that’s happening nationally is to really just focus our energy locally and how it affects and impacts our community,” Cash told WTAQ. ”
“Maybe we don’t always see what our community is experiencing,” she explained. “But how can we better address it?”
That involves a lot of listening. She says that they’re speaking with community leaders and listening to concerns ahead of the verdict.
“So often, you know, in any conversation, we try to act to solve a problem without listening,” said Cash. “So we’ve really taken an approach to just listening to our community. Being part of the conversation.”
Chauvin is the Minneapolis Police officer involved in the death of George Floyd last May.
Green Bay Police are also preparing for possible unrest. Police Commander Kevin Warych says they’re also working with community leaders to keep an eye on what’s going on.
“We want to know their concerns. We want to know their fears. We want to know their apprehensions and anxieties in their neighborhoods,” said Warych. “That’s our jobs, that’s what we do.”
He says that sort of community engagement is a crucial element of good police work.
Local police also monitor social media ahead of any potential demonstrations.
Both Green Bay and Appleton experienced unrest during protests and rioting last summer.
Chauvin was found guilty on all counts against him.
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