December 4, 2021 – Dodge Co., Wi – Over the last few years, I have grown concerned with a trend occurring around our country regarding a lack of willingness to hold criminals accountable, creating victims to subsequent crimes.
Proof of this became evident after learning about the circumstances behind the perpetrator of the Waukesha Christmas Parade homicides.
The individual responsible had previously been released on a very “inappropriately low” cash bond (cited from Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office statement) for serious crimes. It begs the question; how many others have similarly been released on an “inappropriately low” cash bond?
Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have observed the impacts of people who committed crimes in Milwaukee not being held accountable, and later affecting people who live outside of Milwaukee County.
To be clear, my comments today are not directed at the law enforcement officers in Milwaukee County who are trying hard to enforce the laws, but rather the elected and appointed officials setting policy and putting up roadblocks.
Through my years in law enforcement, I have witnessed a steady progression of Milwaukee criminals having an increased impact on Dodge County residents. Those impacts include car thefts, burglaries, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and even individuals who flee law enforcement in pursuits. I have heard individuals, who have been arrested by our agency following pursuits, tell us the only reason they fled was in Milwaukee they won’t chase you, and they didn’t think Dodge would either.
I regularly hear from citizens inquiring what can be done to curb the impacts of heroin and other illicit drug sales in Dodge County.
There is no impact greater than overdose deaths resulting from drugs obtained in the never-ending pipeline of drugs flowing from the big cities. After arresting dealers, they often confess they are making daily trips to Milwaukee or Madison to pick them up.
Once again, the big cities being nearby, creates a never-ending supply of poison for abuse in our back yards. Are they getting that poison from those released on “inappropriately low” cash bonds?
To make matters worse, earlier this year, Governor Evers and the Department of Corrections made changes to the probation and parole revocation process. Now, when someone on probation and parole violates conditions of their probation or parole, it is even harder for them to be held accountable by their probation or parole officers. This is all part of the administration’s efforts to reduce the prison population, but at what cost? The answer is that law-abiding citizens are often victimized again.
Rest assured the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office will not be relaxing the rules and we will continue to hold people accountable for their actions. We always work closely with our District Attorney’s Office to ensure accountability in our Dodge County Courts.
Those individuals who travel to our county and commit crimes will face consequences that they may not be used to in the big cities. Of course, we use our discretion in the enforcement of our laws and I don’t want anyone to think everyone who makes a mistake will face harsh consequences, however, those who intentionally violate the law will be held accountable.
On behalf of all employees at the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade and residents of Waukesha. I am confident that there will be accountability in your county, although that will never bring back those who paid the ultimate price.
Our efforts are continuous and we will do our best to push back on the influences of the big cities near us. We can’t control what happens there, but we will do everything we can to ensure that Dodge County is a safe and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.
Sheriff Dale Schmidt
