Waunakee police are seeing far fewer burglaries and car break-ins in the communities, but complaints about scooters and electric bikes on sidewalks failing to yield at intersections are keeping them busy.
Waunakee Police Chief Adam Kreitzman shared an update about public safety issues in the community with the Waunakee Rotary Club at its Sept. 4 meeting.
Chief Kreitzman joined the Waunakee police department in 2005 and began the first K-9 program and citizens academy. He was promoted to sergeant in 2012, then to lieutenant in 2017 before becoming chief in 2020.
Adam reported on some of what the department has been working on, including the Bar Buddies program. That safe ride program is a response to an increase in the number of operating while intoxicated (OWI) citations the department has been issuing, which now is greater than in other communities. The Bar Buddies program is one portion of an educational component, and Adam said he’s looking forward to getting it up and running.
But major crimes are down in Waunakee, especially compared with six years ago when the village – like other Dane County communities – experienced a number of burglaries, car thefts and car break-ins. Adam said last year, the department had no stolen car cases and only one or two burglaries. He credited the officers who worked on the cases and said overall, crime in Waunakee is very low and the community is very safe.
Apparently, the biggest danger comes from electric bikes and scooters, which Adam called “a challenging piece of technology.”
The village first began to have problems last summer, before other communities started to see issues. Village officials have looked at the ordinances and at state laws, and the department has tried a number of avenues to educate the public through social media and emails just to get the “craziness under control.”
Overall, parents need to be sure their children are riding safely, that they’re yielding to pedestrians, stopping at intersections and that they are wearing helmets.
The village board may consider some restrictions to scooters in the future, but for now, the department receives a number of complaints each week and has done some patrol. Also, the Waunakee Village Center recently sent out a correspondence to residents addressing the problem in an effort to educate parents.
As for adopting ordinances requiring helmets, the issue lies with enforcement, Adam said. Currently, the Waunakee Police Station is under construction, with a completion date expected in December. Soon the department will move into the new building addition while the existing portion is being renovated. When it’s finished, the station will have more space for offices, its evidence room, garage area and more.
Other News
- The club’s board of directors met and approved the following donations: Food for Kidz, $3,000; Friends of Gov. Nelson State Park, $1,000; Bar Buddies, $1,000; Girls on the Run, $500.
- The Sunrise Fellowship meeting will be at the Meadows of Sixmile Creek club house at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 9.
- Wauktoberfest is Sept. 11-14. Set-up will begin around 1:30 or 2 p.m. Sept. 10.
- Fellowship at Bishops Bay will Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.
- Food for Kidz will be Oct. 19 at Dane Mfg.
- The Waunakee school district is in need of substitute crossing guards. Tim Decorah just signed up and says it's a nice way to interact with students.
Bernie Kennedy, guest of Tom Kennedy; Jessica Durden, guest of Nancy Thomas; Julie Gottschalk, guest of the club; Police Chief Adam Kreitzman, speaker, guest of the club.
Greeters
Sept. 11, Lori Derauf and Ellen Schaaf, Sept. 18, Tracy Graber and Shauna Hughey; Sept. 25, David Rupp and Mark McFarland.
To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
