Kenosha County Sheriff's Office

Kenosha County Sheriff's Office Welcome to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Serving since 1836, we’re committed to integrity, courage, and public safety for all 168,000+ residents.

Follow for updates, community info, and ways to stay connected. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is the 3rd largest law enforcement agency in the state of Wisconsin and we operate the 3rd largest jail facility in the state. We are very proud of the work that all of our employees do. Our goal is to serve the public faithfully while conducting our daily duties.

⚾🚔 Kenosha Sheriff vs. Bristol Fire & Rescue Softball Game 🚒⚾What a great night at the Fishbowl on Saturday, June 6th!Th...
06/08/2026

⚾🚔 Kenosha Sheriff vs. Bristol Fire & Rescue Softball Game 🚒⚾

What a great night at the Fishbowl on Saturday, June 6th!

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office took on Bristol Fire Department in a friendly softball matchup. Both teams played hard, had a lot of fun, and put on a great game for everyone who came out to watch.

In the end, KESO came away with the win. Rumor has it Bristol Fire is still looking for a mutual aid agreement to help them find the strike zone. 🚒😆

We appreciate the friendly rivalry and the opportunity to spend time with our partners from Bristol Fire outside of work. Events like this help strengthen the relationships that serve our community every day.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the game. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again next year.

Bristol Fire, keep your radios on... We'll let you know when the rematch starts. Until then, the trophy stays with KESO. 🏆⚾

⛵️⚓️ Today, Sheriff David Zoerner had the honor of speaking at the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Kenosha Yacht Clu...
06/07/2026

⛵️⚓️ Today, Sheriff David Zoerner had the honor of speaking at the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Kenosha Yacht Club.

This longstanding tradition brings together boaters, community leaders, first responders, and residents to recognize and pray for the safety of everyone who enjoys the waters of Lake Michigan throughout the boating season.

Joining Sheriff Zoerner at the event were Mayor David Bogdala, County Executive Samantha Kerkman, Chief of Police Patrick Patton, Senator Robert Wirch, Representative Tip McGuire, Representative Ben DeSmidt, Kenosha Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Krueger, Wisconsin DNR Warden Travis Sindles, and many other community leaders and residents.

Each speaker had the opportunity to address those in attendance, with a common theme emerging throughout the event: the importance of tradition, boating safety, and how fortunate we are to have Lake Michigan in our backyard. The event served as a reminder that while Lake Michigan provides countless opportunities for recreation and enjoyment, it also deserves our respect and commitment to safe boating practices.

“As someone who grew up in Kenosha and spent countless hours on Lake Michigan, this event holds special meaning to me,” said Sheriff Zoerner. “Lake Michigan is one of our community’s greatest treasures. Generations of families have created memories on these waters. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful lake and shoreline, and it is our responsibility to enjoy it safely. Whether you're fishing, sailing, or spending time with family and friends, taking boating safety seriously helps ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.”

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Kenosha Yacht Club for hosting this meaningful event and for continuing a tradition that celebrates both our community's maritime heritage and the importance of boating safety.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable boating season on Lake Michigan and throughout Kenosha County.

🚨🛴🏍️   — E-Bikes, Scooters, and Mopeds: Know the Difference 🏍️🛴🚨As electric-powered transportation becomes more popular,...
06/07/2026

🚨🛴🏍️ — E-Bikes, Scooters, and Mopeds: Know the Difference 🏍️🛴🚨

As electric-powered transportation becomes more popular, we're seeing more e-bikes, electric scooters, mopeds, mini bikes, and similar vehicles on our roads and trails. Unfortunately, many riders (and parents) aren't always sure what laws apply to each type of vehicle.

Knowing the difference can help keep everyone safe and avoid costly citations.

🚲 E-Bikes

Wisconsin law recognizes three classes of e-bikes.

Class 1
• Pedal-assist only
• Motor assists up to 20 mph

Class 2
• Equipped with a throttle
• Can move without pedaling
• Motor assists up to 20 mph

Class 3
• Pedal-assist only
• Motor assists up to 28 mph
• Rider must be at least 16 years old

A legal e-bike must:
✅ Have fully operable pedals
✅ Have a motor of 750 watts or less

Legal e-bikes do NOT require:
✅ Driver's license
✅ Registration
✅ License plates
✅ Insurance

E-bike riders must follow the same rules of the road as traditional bicycles.

🛴 Electric Scooters

Electric stand-up scooters:
✅ Do not require a driver's license
✅ Cannot be titled or registered through the Wisconsin DMV
✅ May be operated on sidewalks unless local ordinances say otherwise

When riding on a sidewalk, riders must:
✔️ Yield to pedestrians
✔️ Exercise due care
✔️ Give an audible signal when passing others

🏍️ Mopeds

A moped is different from an e-bike or electric scooter.

Under Wisconsin law, a moped:
• Has an engine that is part of the vehicle
• Has an engine under 50cc (or up to 130cc for certain pedal-equipped models)
• Is designed for only one person

📋 Mopeds REQUIRE:
✅ A valid Wisconsin driver's license
✅ Wisconsin title
✅ License plates

🚫 It is illegal to carry a passenger on a moped.

Moped operators must follow all traffic laws, including:
• Obeying traffic signals and stop signs
• Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Following school zone speed limits

Mopeds:
🚫 Cannot operate on freeways
🚫 Cannot operate on sidewalks
🚫 Cannot operate where specifically prohibited

⚠️ What About Other High-Powered Electric Bikes?

Many of the electric motorcycles seen today are not legal e-bikes because they:
❌ Exceed 750 watts
❌ Travel faster than 28 mph under motor power
❌ Lack fully operable pedals

Depending on their specifications, these vehicles may be classified as mopeds or motorcycles and may require licensing, registration, insurance, and additional safety equipment to operate legally on public roadways.

🛹 Other Motorized Devices

This includes:
• Mini bikes
• Pocket bikes
• OneWheels
• Electric skateboards
• Hoverboards
• Motorized longboards
• Similar devices

Many of these vehicles are intended for off-road or private-property use and are generally not permitted on state highways, Interstates, or other public roadways.

🪖 Safety First

No matter what you're riding:

✔️ Wear a helmet
✔️ Stay alert and avoid distractions
✔️ Follow traffic laws
✔️ Yield to pedestrians
✔️ Ride at a safe speed for conditions

Before purchasing or operating any motorized vehicle, take a few minutes to understand how it is classified under Wisconsin law. What looks like a bicycle may actually be considered a motor vehicle.

Know the law. Ride responsibly. Arrive safely.

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/motorcycles/mc-how-aply/cycle.aspx

Update at 8:55am - Interstate open! 🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT – I-94 NORTHBOUND CLOSED 🚨Due to a serious six-vehicle crash on I-94...
06/07/2026

Update at 8:55am - Interstate open!

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT – I-94 NORTHBOUND CLOSED 🚨

Due to a serious six-vehicle crash on I-94 northbound near STH 11 in Racine, all northbound lanes of I-94 have been closed at STH 195 (1st street).

Emergency personnel are currently on scene assisting multiple injured individuals. Motorists should expect the closure to remain in place for several hours while first responders provide medical care and investigators process the scene.

Please avoid the area if possible and seek alternate routes. Significant traffic delays are expected.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as emergency crews work to safely manage this incident.

🎓🚔 Congratulations to Our Newest Deputies! 🚔🎓Please join us in congratulating four Kenosha County Sheriff's Office deput...
06/03/2026

🎓🚔 Congratulations to Our Newest Deputies! 🚔🎓

Please join us in congratulating four Kenosha County Sheriff's Office deputies who graduated today from Gateway Technical College's Law Enforcement Academy!

Over the course of 720 hours of intensive training, these recruits received instruction in criminal law, traffic enforcement, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, fi****ms, report writing, ethics, community policing, crisis intervention, physical fitness, and countless other skills essential to serving and protecting our community.

Congratulations to:
★Deputy Hunter Sanderson #429
★Deputy Jake Schuler #430
★Deputy Ian Biggs #431
★Deputy Brett Stark #432

Graduation is a significant achievement, but it is only the beginning.

The real work starts now as these deputies enter our Field Training Program, where they will work alongside experienced training officers and be evaluated on their ability to apply what they have learned in real-world situations. Each phase must be successfully completed before they can move forward.

We are proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to public service. We look forward to watching them grow in their careers and serve the citizens of Kenosha County for many years to come.

Congratulations and welcome to the profession! 💙🖤

This morning, Wilmot Union High School received a voicemail from an out-of-state telephone number regarding a potential ...
06/01/2026

This morning, Wilmot Union High School received a voicemail from an out-of-state telephone number regarding a potential threat. School administrators immediately notified the School Resource Officer and the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office.

Based on the information available at this time, investigators have determined there is no known or credible threat to the school. Investigators have not found any evidence indicating an immediate danger to students or staff.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the origin of the report and working to identify the individual or individuals responsible for conveying the information. As a precaution, additional law enforcement personnel have been assigned to the school today.

The safety and security of the students, staff, and community remain our highest priority. We appreciate the prompt actions taken by school staff and the cooperation of students and families as this matter is thoroughly investigated.

If additional information becomes available that can be shared without compromising the investigation, updates will be provided.

Wilmot Union High School

🚨💙 Safety Sunday — Social Media Safety for Kids 💙🚨Social media can help kids stay connected with friends and family, but...
05/31/2026

🚨💙 Safety Sunday — Social Media Safety for Kids 💙🚨

Social media can help kids stay connected with friends and family, but it can also expose them to serious risks if safety isn’t taken seriously.

As summer begins and more kids spend time online, now is a good time for parents and guardians to have open conversations about responsible social media use.

Here are a few important reminders for families:

📱 Know what apps your children are using
🔒 Make accounts private whenever possible
📍 Teach kids never to share their location publicly
👥 Remind them not everyone online is who they claim to be
📸 Think before posting photos or personal information
🚫 Encourage kids to report bullying, threats, or suspicious behavior immediately
⏰ Set healthy screen time limits and encourage offline activities

Parents should also establish clear family rules for social media and online activity. Setting expectations early can help children make smarter and safer decisions online.

Some good family rules may include:
✔️ No talking to strangers online
✔️ Parents know passwords and accounts
✔️ No phones or tablets late at night
✔️ Ask permission before downloading apps
✔️ Never share personal information or passwords
✔️ Be respectful online and report concerning behavior immediately

Parents should regularly review privacy settings, monitor online activity, and keep communication open with their children. A simple conversation today can help prevent serious problems tomorrow.

The internet can be a valuable tool ... but safety, awareness, and supervision still matter.

Roadway cleared. 🚨 Traffic Alert – I-94 Southbound at Highway 142 🚨Emergency crews are currently on scene of a multi-veh...
05/30/2026

Roadway cleared.

🚨 Traffic Alert – I-94 Southbound at Highway 142 🚨

Emergency crews are currently on scene of a multi-vehicle crash involving four vehicles on I-94 southbound near Highway 142.

A secondary crash has also occurred on the Highway 142 off-ramp.

I-94 southbound at Highway 142 is currently shut down. Motorists should avoid the area, expect significant delays, and seek alternate routes while first responders work to assist those involved and clear the scene.

Please slow down, move over for emergency vehicles, and never drive distracted.

🇺🇸 We remember. We honor. We are grateful. 🇺🇸Today, we remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice ...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 We remember. We honor. We are grateful. 🇺🇸

Today, we remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, honor, and dedication will never be forgotten.

This Memorial Day, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office proudly honors our fallen heroes and the families who carry their legacy forward.

Address

1000/55th Street
Kenosha, WI
53140

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