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, WI
Leaders from Milwaukee Rep, local Jewish organization team up to support families in need
MILWAUKEE — For 31 years, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater has ended every performance of A Christmas Carol with a heartwarming tradition: cast members ask audience members for donations that are then given to a local charity.
Watch: Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services
Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services
This year’s chosen charity is Jewish Family Services, an organization that provides support to families in need throughout the community.
I was there when Jenny from the Rep and Jenny from Jewish Family Services celebrated the generosity of the community, which is providing gifts for families in need this holiday season.
Kidd O’Shea
Behind the scenes at Milwaukee Rep, volunteers were busy wrapping presents for their “A Christmas Carol Families” program. The initiative aligns perfectly with the theater’s mission of creating positive change in the community.
“This goes right to our mission of creating positive change in the community, and when we’re doing a play like A Christmas Carol, what better show to be able to use the themes from that production of generosity and compassion over greed to make sure that we’re walking the walk as well when we are saying, ‘Hey community, we should be doing this,’ right? So this is one example of how we can create that change in the community as well,” said Jenny from Milwaukee Rep.
The donations collected from theatergoers will make a significant impact for families served by Jewish Family Services, which has been operating since 1867.
“It’s going to make such a huge difference. These are families facing the harshest of circumstances. We’ve been in existence since 1867, but this year we have such extreme need from all the families we serve,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.
Even small contributions from audience members attending the beloved Milwaukee holiday tradition add up to meaningful support for local families.
“To everyone who went to see A Christmas Carol, which is such a holiday tradition here in Milwaukee, and made a donation — maybe it was just $1 or a couple bucks here and there — it all adds up and really is community showing up for community,” I said.
“We’re so grateful to have been chosen this year, and to align our missions like this with the Rep is just a community outpouring of support that is going to go directly to benefit some people who will be very grateful,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.
The longstanding tradition demonstrates how the theater continues to give back to Milwaukee, extending the spirit of the holiday classic beyond the stage and into the community.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Thanks to generous viewers, TMJ4’s Home 4 the Holidays Virtual Food Drive raised more than $29,000 for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force — money that will help get food on tables this holiday season.
The donations came as the Hunger Task Force reports a 35% increase in traffic at local pantry networks over the past year.
The fundraising effort marks the 10th year that Raymond James, TMJ4, and Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force have partnered for the Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive. The online platform allows people to purchase an assortment of holiday food choices from the comfort of their own home or office.
Gary Sievewright from Raymond James explained why the company continues its annual participation.
Watch: Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive
Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive
“It’s part of our culture to be involved in the community, and we just love the need to help people that really have a need for food, right? So this is a passion of ours, it’s a passion of yours. We love the partnership, and we’re happy to raise as much money as we can every year,” Sievewright said.
People can continue making donations by visiting HungerTaskForce.org to help feed families in need this holiday season.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
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Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides
In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.
MILWAUKEE – In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.
The program got its start in 1988 and provides residents with free transportation to celebrate the new year responsibly.
This year’s program is especially meaningful as Miller Lite celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Free Rides program approaches 10 million rides provided nationwide.
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Visit the MCTS website to find the most popular routes. You can also download the UMO app to plan and track your bus in real-time.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by Molson Coors Beverage Company.
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