KENOSHA, Wis. — City leaders from Kenosha have responded to Tuesday’s charging decision in the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The Kenosha Police Department posted a video Tuesday featuring Police Chief Daniel Miskinis and Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian.
The state Department of Justice released documents from its report following the decision.
“We are seeing [the report] for the first time today along with all of you,” Antaramian said. “This new information is important, and we encourage everyone to review it.”
Miskinis said the police department has yet to review the documents but is confident the DOJ’s report is both thorough and accurate.
“I believe the police use of force deserves scrutiny and I’m convinced that painstaking review supports that Officer Sheskey was forced to make a decision in seconds, and that his decision to shoot was not malicious or in any way criminal,” Miskinis said.
The mayor said local authorities will share further comments on the report “as soon as possible.”
Antaramian also acknowledged that there are “many strong feelings and opinions” regarding the decision.
“I want to make this clear: We respect your right to peaceful protest and will protect peaceful demonstrations, but we will not — we cannot — tolerate the violence we saw in our community [last] year,” Antaramian said. “We will take measures to protect the safety of our residents, businesses and visitors.”
Antaramian said he hopes he can continue to bring residents together for honest discussions on the future of the community.
Miskinis reiterated that the police department respects the right for peaceful demonstrations in the city in light of the decision.
“We respect the right to peacefully protest but urge all to remain calm and not resort to illegal assembly and violence,” Miskinis said.
COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
