Sheriff reports higher recent call volumes, crash totals and protest preparations

The Sawyer County sheriff’s office reported a recent uptick in calls for service, detailed crash totals that included a recent fatality, and steps taken to prepare for public assemblies near the courthouse.

At the committee meeting the sheriff reported calls for service of 581 in February and 608 in March, and referred to an annual comparison figure of 659 reported in the same period last year. He said the department issued 54 traffic citations, 34 written warnings and 12 non-traffic citations during the reporting period. “We have 10 total crashes, 3 of personal injury, we did have 1 fatality that occurred recently,” he said, and summarized totals of 80 crashes, 12 personal-injury crashes and one fatality for the reporting period.

The sheriff described operational preparations for a planned public assembly near the county courthouse, saying the department has brought extra staff in and coordinated with the Hayward Police Department and state partners. “Both judges have made it clear that they do not want any disruption,” he said, and added, “Our goal is to keep everybody safe.” The sheriff reported four added state troopers in the community and said mutual-aid partners stood ready if needed.

On equipment and training, the sheriff said the department finalized deployment plans for the Axon 10 Taser program and expects a train-the-trainer schedule in June to enable in-house instructors to train jail and patrol staff. He also noted the department’s fiscal-year training priorities: ensuring certified members receive required in-service hours, spring firearms training, and the biannual emergency vehicle operations course offered to community partners.