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Finance committee approves $252,380 reallocation for new body scanner after closed-session review; Racine housing agreement laid over
Summary
After a closed-session briefing on security issues, the finance committee approved reallocation of $252,380 for a new body scanner and one trained narcotics canine for the county jail; the extension of an intergovernmental housing agreement with Racine County was laid over to the call of the chair.
The finance committee approved an appropriation transfer of $252,380 to the Office of the Sheriff to acquire a new body scanner and one trained narcotics detection canine to enhance screening at the Milwaukee County Jail, after committee members moved into closed session for a legal and security briefing.
Supervisor Lisa Capriollo (resolution sponsor) said the measures respond to contraband and overdose incidents in the jail. She cited figures provided in committee discussion: since 2020 there have been 175 incidents of contraband and 50 administrations of naloxone (Narcan) related to suspected opioid overdoses; two in‑custody deaths this year were discussed as part of the sheriff’s briefing. Capriollo said she sought to fund equipment and one additional canine as part of a broader effort to reduce drug smuggling into the facility.
During committee deliberations, an amendment from Supervisor Balinski proposing removal of the additional canine failed 4–3. After a closed‑session legal briefing pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(d) (to receive counsel about strategies relating to crime, detention or prevention), the committee reconvened and adopted finance amendment 1 to reallocate funds from a line tied to the county’s Racine overflow housing contract instead of using general contingency. That amended motion passed 5–2.
The committee also considered an intergovernmental cooperation agreement (IGA) with Racine County for temporary housing of certain jail occupants. Sheriff’s staff asked that the Racine IGA matter be laid over to the call of the chair; the judiciary committee had already laid the IGA over. Sheriff’s staff said transferring inmates to Racine is costly and complicates programming and transport to Milwaukee courts.
Nut graf: The committee used an emergency appropriation transfer (reallocated sheriff funding) to purchase a body scanner and a single narcotics detection canine after a closed legal briefing on security and detention strategy. The Racine housing agreement was not finalized and was left for future committee consideration, as sheriff’s staff said the arrangement creates operational difficulties for court attendance and programming.
Sheriff’s representatives, including assistant director Dave Rugaber, emphasized that the canine is intended for place searches (locker rooms, staging areas) rather than aggressive patrol searches; supporters characterized a trained detection dog as a supplement to the scanner because the scanner cannot cover some areas. Opponents raised concerns about canine accuracy and potential trauma; Supervisor O’Connor cited studies and argued for relying on the scanner first. The committee voted to proceed with the scanner and one canine after the closed‑session briefing.
Ending: The committee’s action authorized reallocation of existing sheriff funds to buy a body scanner and one narcotics‑detection canine; the Racine housing IGA remains on hold pending further review. The sheriff’s office said it will implement searches and monitoring by combining the scanner with place‑based canine sweeps and other contraband‑reduction tactics.
