Weekend OWI and Drug Arrests

On March 25 at 2:31am, an officer stopped a vehicle on the west side of the city as the registered owner of the vehicle had a revoked driver’s license.  The driver of the vehicle was determined to be a 27 year old male from Manitowoc who exhibited signs of having consumed alcohol, and had a revoked license due to a prior alcohol offense.  The driver was arrested for OWI-2^nd offense, and cited for operating after revocation and possession of drug paraphernalia, as a drug pipe was found on his possession. 

On March 25 at approximately 5:37pm, a city officer stopped a vehicle on Hwy 42/57 near Duluth Ave for equipment violations after receiving a reckless driving complaint about the vehicle.  The 39 year old male from Casco denied drinking alcohol, but displayed signs he was impaired.  The officer administered field sobriety tests which indicated clues the driver was impaired and a PBT indicated alcohol was present.  The driver was arrested for OWI-2^nd offense.

On March 27 at 1:49am, an officer stopped a vehicle on Madison Ave for operating without taillights.  The 17 year old male from Brussels was acting nervous and displayed clues he may be impaired.  Further testing by the officer and the driver’s admission to having smoked marijuana earlier, the driver was arrested for OWI-1^st offense for a restricted substance (THC, the active ingredient in marijuana). 

In addition to the driver, the vehicle was occupied by three passengers.  Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, which allowed officers to conduct a search of the vehicle.  All the occupants denied having marijuana in the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle found more than one container of marijuana, grinders, rolling paper, a pipe and tobacco products.  Upon completion of the investigation, the following ordinance citations were issued:

-A 17 year old male from Algoma for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia

- A 17 year old male from Sturgeon Bay for possession of drug paraphernalia and tobacco products underage

- A 16 year old male from Brussels for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The driver and passengers in the vehicle were all cited and released to their parents.  

HAPPY BOATING SEASON

 

 

The ice in Sturgeon Bay has all but left the waterways and the boating season is just around the corner.

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department wants to wish everyone a SAFE and happy boating season.  A few things to keep in mind before the season gets underway.

In years past damage to property and injuries has been the result of irresponsible, uneducated and or inattentive boating in the jurisdictional waters of the City of Sturgeon Bay.  The Sturgeon Bay Police Department wants to remind everyone that wake violations are vigorously enforced for the safety of citizen’s and the protection of property along the waterway.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR WAKE!

Life jackets and proper safety equipment are required by law.  Boaters are encouraged to spend a few minutes familiarizing and or re-familiarizing themselves with the City Boating Ordinances’, Wisconsin State Boating Laws and Federal Boating Laws so as to have a safe and enjoyable boating experience.  LIFE JACKETS, LIFE JACKETS, LIFE JACKETS!!!!

Water levels are constantly changing.  For this reason it is recommended boaters pay special attention to bridge opening times and bridge clearance heights.  Just because ones boat passed safely under the bridges in years past, does not guarantee current needed clearance as water levels fluctuate.  Rising water levels coupled with boat weight changes and surface water conditions can affect boat clearance and affect safe passage under the bridges.

Weather conditions can change rapidly and have an effect on safe boating, even when boating close to shore.  Monitor the weather conditions and be prepared for sudden changes in temperature.  Hot days and cooler water temperatures, even in summer, can cause heat related injuries as well as hypothermia.  An off shore wind can make paddling back to shore difficult if not impossible.

 

Don’t Drink and Boat

It is illegal for a person to operate a motorboat if they are under the influence of an intoxicant or a controlled substance or have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 % or greater.

 

Below is a list of useful web resources for additional information.

https://www.municode.com/library/wi/sturgeon_bay/codes/code_of_ordinances

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/boat/

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/

 

Get out and safely enjoy the renowned fishing and boating waters of beautiful Sturgeon Bay.  See ya out there!!!!!

HAPPY EASTER

            
The men and women of the Sturgeon Bay Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter!

Weekend OWI Arrests

On March 18, 2016 at 1:07am, officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle parked on S 18^th Pl.  It was reported the vehicle was running with its headlights on for approximately 30 minutes. 

Officers made contact with the 37 year old male, who was found slouched over the steering wheel.  Upon waking up the driver, he smelled of intoxicants and had glassy, bloodshot eyes.  Based on the performance of field sobriety tests and the driver’s observed condition, he was arrested for OWI-2^nd offense. 

On March 19, 2016 at 11:05pm, city officers were dispatched to the Door County Justice Center to investigate an intoxicated driver.  A 59 year old female had arrived at the jail to pick up a person who had been arrested earlier in the evening for OWI.  Jail staff observed the female smelled of intoxicants and the female admitted to driving to the jail.

Sturgeon Bay Police completed the investigation and field sobriety tests, determining the driver was impaired.  The driver was arrested for OWI-1^st offense.

Daytime OWI Arrest

On March 4, 2016 at 12:55pm, a city officer was conducting traffic enforcement on Egg Harbor Rd near 18^th Ave.  An eastbound vehicle on Egg Harbor Rd was found by radar to be traveling 55 mph in a 25 mph zone.  Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer detected an odor of intoxicants coming from the 22 year old male driver.  Based on field sobriety testing, the driver was arrested for OWI-1^st offense, and was also was cited for speeding.

The blood results have returned from the State Lab of Hygiene, which indicated a BAC level of .22, almost three times the legal level of .08. 

The Police Department would remind all drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians that impaired driving is not just a night time problem and we should never assume an impaired driver is not on our streets during the day.  If anyone suspects a motorist might be impaired, please notify your local law enforcement agency to report your observations and concerns.

Intersection at Hwy 42/57 and Michigan St closing

REMINDER: Beginning Monday morning, March 21^st, the intersection at Hwy 42/57 and Michigan St will be closed off for vehicle crossing.  The exact time of the closure is unknown, but it likely will occur before the morning commute hours.  It is recommended that all morning commuters take an alternate route.

For further information, please refer to the WI DOT news release below:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Northeast Regional Office, 944 Vanderperren Way, Green Bay, WI 54304 Phone: 920/492-5623 FAX: 920/492-5640 www.wisconsindot.gov

March 16, 2016

For more information, contact:

Mark Kantola, Regional Communications Manager

Mark.Kantola@dot.wi.gov, (920) 492-4153

Governor Walker approves WIS 42/57 improvements in Door County

Work starting Monday, March 21, 2016. 

(Sturgeon Bay) As part of his efforts to create jobs and make sure Wisconsin is open for business, Governor Scott Walker recently approved $4.6 million to improve nearly 1.6 miles of WIS 42/57 from Michigan Street to Egg Harbor Road in Sturgeon Bay, Door County. Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, March 21, 2016 and be completed by the end of July.

Michels Corporation of Brownsville, Wis. is the prime contractor.

This project is needed to reconstruct the existing deteriorated roadway, improve safety, and improve operations.  The project includes construction of roundabouts at the intersections of WIS 42/57 with Michigan Street and Egg Harbor Road, access modifications at the WIS 42/57 and Alabama Street intersection, and complete reconstruction of the highway within the project limits.  The project will also resurface the existing roadway on each side of the Bayview Bridge. 

There will be traffic impacts associated with this project, including:

·         Both directions of WIS 42/57 will be detoured through downtown Sturgeon Bay. This detour went into effect when rehabilitation work on the Bayview Bridge began on March 1, 2016.

·         The detour will remain in place until the end of June. The roadway is anticipated to open to through traffic prior to the 4^th of July holiday weekend.

·         WIS 42/57 cross traffic on side roads will be maintained only at the Utah Street intersection and the Alabama Street intersection.

·         Some minor construction activity with minimal traffic impacts will likely remain until the end of July.

The WIS 42/57 reconstruction project website can be found at http://projects.511wi.gov/wis57-42/. It has construction details, traffic impacts, maps, displays, information for businesses affected by the project, and roundabout educational material.

Motorists are reminded to use caution and remain alert when driving through this or any work zone.  

Sturgeon Bay man arrested for OWI-Causing Injury & Hit and Run

On March 15, 2016 at 3:17pm, city officers were dispatched to a hit and run accident on W Maple St in the area of Madison Ave.  While responding, multiple calls continued to come into dispatch that the suspect vehicle was striking vehicles and struck a child on a scooter on E Maple St.  The driver was attempting to leave, when a citizen intervened to stop the driver, and was able to shut the vehicle off and remove the keys prior to police arrival at 3:19pm.

The driver refused to conduct field sobriety tests, but smelled of intoxicants, could not walk on his own and had slurred/mumbled speech.  The 58 year old man from Sturgeon Bay was arrested for OWI-1^st offense causing injury (misdemeanor), hit  and run causing injury (felony) and two traffic citations for hit and run of an unattended vehicle (struck two legally parked vehicles). 

The driver was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and OWI processing, and then was taken to the Door County Jail.  Due to the felony charge, the driver was denied bond and will be required to appear in front of a judge.

The 5 year old child was transported to the hospital for treatment and thankfully did not suffer any serious injuries.  We are also thankful for the citizen who stepped in to stop the driver from being able to continue driving, and avert further damage.

The winter parking ban ends on April 1st, however with the unseasonable like weather the ban has been lifted.  If there is a snow storm prior to April 1st, the ban will be enforced. 

2 Officers Hired

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department is proud to announce the addition of two new officers.  Officer Brandon Cromwell started with our department as a Community Service Officer and was hired full-time October of 2015.  Officer Eric Jose was a part-time officer in Algoma and was recently hired March 2016 with the SBPD. 

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department is currently accepting applications for full-time positions.  Check www.wilenet.org for further information.