Milwaukee, WI
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.
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, Wis. – Several Milwaukee leaders are condemning recent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, though questions remain whether actions meant to limit the agency within city limits can be enforced.
The group led by U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore expressed anger at the nature of the at least 57 confirmed arrests made by ICE agents across Wisconsin during “targeted operations” that began in late June.
“They’re being kidnapped. They’re being disappeared. They’re being rushed through a judicial process without due process because they don’t have any money. And we’re here to decry that,” said Moore during a press conference July 9.
Back in April, Milwaukee Common Council members unanimously passed one of the key pieces of their “ICE Out MKE” package: an ordinance that prohibited ICE agents from wearing masks while working in the city. But the Department of Homeland Security has indicated they will not adhere to the ordinance, with representatives asserting the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause allows for federal laws to supersede any local ordinance.
“State and local sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” said an ICE spokesperson in a statement to WTMJ. “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by unconstitutional bans. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that state and local sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement.”
During the recent arrests, ICE agents were spotted by groups like Voces de la Frontera wearing masks despite the ordinance. Agents also used the Milwaukee Police Department District 2 parking lot for staging purposes, which is against another “ICE Out” city ordinance. A statement from MPD said they were not told in advance that ICE intended to use the parking lot, and then asked them to leave.
No citations have been written by Milwaukee Police against any agents who have violated the mask ban, with the department citing the need for legal clarity from City Attorney Evan Goyke.
“We’re waiting to see what the city attorney’s advice will be on that,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson July 9 when asked by WTMJ if any of the “ICE Out” package is enforceable.
ICE says those arrested will remain in custody pending removal proceedings.
TOP STORIES FROM THE WTMJ NEWSROOM:
Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)
MILWAUKEE – A shooting in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 8 left one person wounded.
11th and Locust
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, a 23-year-old was shot around 6:30 p.m. near 11th and Locust.
The victim arrived at the hospital for treatment.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation.
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MPD tips
What you can do:
Milwaukee police are seeking information to identify a suspect in connection with this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or P3 Tips.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee community members gathered at pop-up events across the northwest side Wednesday as part of “Peace on Every Block,” a week of activities aimed at building community, mentorship and sharing resources for violence prevention.
The week is organized by Advance Peace Milwaukee, Milwaukee Community Cross Roads and Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services.
“We want to see everybody win, and that’s the whole theme about it, about healing, coming together, stopping the violence,” Desilynn Smith of Uniting Garden Homes said.
Lorenzo Davis of Advance Peace said the northwest side was a deliberate focus for the effort.
“Because this is where the gun violence is happening, and we’re trying to end the gun violence in the city of Milwaukee. We really want to do what’s best for Milwaukee,” Davis said.
The Milwaukee Police Department reported a 30 percent drop in homicides during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. But community members say that progress doesn’t always reflect what people are experiencing on the ground.
Watch: ‘Peace on Every Block’ brings Milwaukee community together to fight gun violence
‘Peace on Every Block’ brings Milwaukee community together to fight gun violence
“The data doesn’t lie, that’s true, but when it’s like every day we’re hearing about a shooting, or we’re so connected to it, and so many people connected to it, it just doesn’t appear that way,” Smith said.
The events come as Milwaukee has seen several violent deaths in recent days. 42-year-old Kristy Syed was found shot to death on Milwaukee’s south side.
The Medical Examiner’s Office also identified 19-year-old Savannah Lynn, who was killed after gunfire broke out following a fight on the Fourth of July.
Nine-year-old Jade Riser died after a shooting that happened near East Burleigh Street last Thursday.
Smith said healing is central to any lasting change.
“If we don’t heal, we can’t stop anything, because violence is actually the secondary emotion that is really driven off a lot of pain,” Smith said.
Davis said the young people in these neighborhoods are ready for something better.
“They want to see a better inside Milwaukee. They want to see a better chance for Milwaukee, and they want to do something better for themselves. So, these kids out here, we promote peace with them, and we’re going to back them, and we want to see them win,” Davis said.
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