Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Police Department Seeks submersible robot for RNC security

Published

8 months ago

April 10, 2024

Milwaukee Police Department Seeks submersible robot for RNC security

WASHINGTON — The City of Milwaukee is scheduled to receive $75 million from the federal government to help cover its costs during the Republican National Convention in July.

The convention is expected to draw 50,000 people, and it’s been designated as a National Special Security Event, which requires local, state and federal law enforcement to work together.

“The RNC and the DNC historically have been some of our highest security events, even before our current political climate,” said Donell Harvin, a homeland security expert and Georgetown University faculty member.

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Extensive security preparations are underway for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this summer

The plans include deploying a remote-controlled unmanned submersible to patrol the waterways near Fiserv Forum, where the convention will be held

The bid document said it would be used by the department’s underwater investigation unit to “identify anomalies and targets of interest under the water”

U.S. Secret Service told Spectrum News it’s planning for every possible scenario and is committed to creating a safe environment at the RNC

Harvin said law enforcement will prepare for every scenario, even a cyberattack.

“And that particularly entails targeting critical infrastructure,” he said. “That critical infrastructure would be your power grid, primarily, but also your water… And the reason why is because they wouldn’t just look to shut down the water, they would look to kind of release harmful chemicals or have wastewater go into freshwater, try to cross those streams, those paths.”

Fiserv Forum is close to the Milwaukee River, and about a mile away from Lake Michigan. Preparing for every scenario includes the Milwaukee Police Department buying a submersible remotely operated vehicle, or ROV. The bid document said the department’s underwater investigation unit would use the ROV to “identify anomalies and targets of interest under the water.”

“It’s a simple solution to be able to deploy to work in tandem with their dive teams. We’re not here to replace the dive teams. We’re here to be a force multiplier,” said Sam Schmitt, the director of defense and government programs for VideoRay, a ROV manufacturer that works with the U.S. Navy.

The bid for the ROV is still marked as “pending” online. Schmitt said the company has not submitted a bid to provide the submersible but expects its technology will be used during the weeklong event, since many departments within the state have purchased VideoRay products. He said a sub-sea robot like this could help with security sweeps and cost more than $100,000.

“Whether you’re looking for some sort of parasitic device that may be there for listening, any type of improvised explosive device, or anything that could be a threat to security, our technology is being applied in those areas to be able to detect and to help kind of usher in the first responders to be able to take care of those situations,” Schmitt said.

The U.S. Secret Service told Spectrum News it’s planning for every possible scenario and is committed to creating a safe environment at the RNC. The Democratic National Convention will be a month later in Chicago and will be protected by a similar security plan.

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Milwaukee, WI

LaMelo Ball scores 50 points in Charlotte Hornets’ game vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Published

34 mins ago

November 24, 2024

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LaMelo Ball scores 50 points in Charlotte Hornets’ game vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Charlotte Hornets lost a close game to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, but LaMelo Ball’s name will still go in the history books.

Ball, 23, scored a career-high 50 points in the Hornet’s 125-119 loss to the Bucks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. He went 17-of-38 from the field and 6-of-17 from beyond the arc in 40 minutes of play. Ball had 10 points at halftime, before dropping 40 in the second half. He finished the night with 10 assists, five rebounds and one steal.

Ball is the fifth player this season to score at least 50 points in a game, joining De’Aaron Fox (60, Nov. 15), Giannis Antetokounmpo (59, Nov. 13), Victor Wembanyama (50, Nov. 13) and Paolo Banchero (50, Oct. 28).

Ball is only the ninth player in NBA history to post a stat line of 50-plus points, five-plus rebounds, 10-plus assists and five-plus 3s in the same game, joining James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Porter Jr.

LaMelo Ball highlights

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee man killed, family heartbroken before the holidays: 'He didn’t deserve this'

Published

9 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Milwaukee man killed, family heartbroken before the holidays: 'He didn’t deserve this'

article

Nasif Bowie (photo provided by family)

MILWAUKEE – Heartbroken before the holidays, the family of a 25-year-old Milwaukee man is looking for justice after he was shot and killed Thursday night on the city’s northwest side.

Loved ones of Nasif Bowie told FOX6 News he was near Houston and Congress celebrating a “Friendsgiving” when someone shot both him and his friend. They want the person responsible to be arrested.

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“I never imagined nothing like this would happen to him, ever,” said Rickell Lovley, Bowie’s sister. “He didn’t deserve this. He had so many people who cared about him.”

Police said the shooting happened just before 9:30 p.m. One person – since identified as Bowie – died at the scene. A 23-year-old was seriously wounded.

Scene at Houston and Congress, Milwaukee

“He had such a bright future,” said friend Zarieanna McCoy. “He really was on his business. He went to school, got his degree, he wanted to go into real estate, he was doing a notary business.”

Family members said there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

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“He was just at the wrong place, wrong person there at the time,” Lovley said.

Saturday, loved ones returned to the area and sent off a sea of balloons and a swarm of goodbyes. McCoy said the prayer now is to find the person responsible.

“Just really hoping that we can get justice for him and his family,” she said.

Balloon release for Nasif Bowie near Houston and Congress

They are balancing that plea for accountability with the pain of trying to understand their loss.

“He didn’t deserve this,” Lovley said. “I’m so sorry that this happened to him.”

At last check, police are still looking for whoever is responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at 414-935-7360; to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or use the P3 tips app.

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Milwaukee, WI

USS Beloit naval warship commissioned in Milwaukee

Published

17 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

USS Beloit naval warship commissioned in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – A new naval warship was commissioned at Milwaukee’s Veterans Park on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The USS Beloit, a littoral combat ship (LCS), is roughly 380 feet long and will house 88 crew members. Ships of this kind are made up in Marinette, Wisconsin. They cost roughly $500 million to build.

As the ship’s sponsor, retired Army Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson will lead the time-honored Navy tradition of giving the order during the ceremony to “Man our ship and bring her to life!” At that moment, the commissioning pennant is hoisted, and the Beloit becomes a proud ship of the fleet.

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This is the first naval ship to be named after the Wisconsin city, Beloit.

Once it is commissioned, the USS Beloit will call Jacksonville, Florida its home port.

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