How Appleton Plans To Boost Nightlife Safety

The 100 block of S. Walnut Street in Appleton is closed off Dec. 24, 2023, as police investigate a fatal shooting. PC: Fox 11 Online

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Appleton city leaders are looking at ways to make nightlife safer in the wake of incidents involving firearms and disturbances.

The Appleton Common Council will review recommendations from Mayor Jake Woodford’s administration.

The recommendations range from upgrades to lighting in the area around College Avenue and Walnut street to considering a new requirement for certain establishments to have security cameras.

In recent months, there have been two deaths involving firearms in or around bars and nightclubs in the city and several disturbances involving physical confrontations in the downtown district.

After seeking feedback from the community and having city staff to identify potential refinements to policies and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies, the following recommendations will be discussed this week:

• Amending the permissible hours for Food Trucks in the Central Business District, requiring Food Trucks to end service by Midnight rather than the current time of 4:00 am. This will be presented as an action item to the Municipal Services Committee.
• Adding street lighting along sections of the Walnut Street corridor to enhance visibility and deter potential criminal activity. A portion of ARPA funds will be allocated for this purpose, pending approval from the Municipal Services and Finance Committees.
• Introducing a new requirement for all Class B establishments to install operable security cameras at customer entrances and exits. Under the proposal, such establishments would also be required to produce requested footage to law enforcement in a timely manner. This proposal will be presented as an information item for discussion at the Safety and Licensing Committee.

Additionally, the Appleton Fire Department will conduct random fire code capacity inspections for establishments operating during late-night hours to ensure compliance with posted limits.

The city’s Municipal Services Committee is set to discuss the proposals Monday night.