River Hills Police Department

08/10/2023

***Update- The Milwaukee County DA’s Office has now charged the subject with Receiving Stolen Property. The River Hills Police Dept appreciates all the support we have received regarding this matter.***

During the afternoon of July 22nd, a resident's home was burglarized. During the burglary numerous items were stolen and a vehicle was stolen out of the garage.

Early the next morning, roughly 14 hours later, we were able to find the vehicle in Milwaukee. The vehicle was parked and in the driver's seat there was a subject sleeping. In his pocket were the vehicle's keys and a card belonging to the homeowner. Throughout the car were numerous items taken from the home. And also in the vehicle were documents that were stolen in a previous burglary in Racine County.

The case was presented to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, and they refused to go forward with any charges. No charges of Burglary, Theft of Movable Property, Operating a Vehicle W/O Owner's Consent, or even Possession of Stolen Property. A subject was in the stolen vehicle, surrounded by stolen items, with stolen property in his pocket and not even a Possession of Stolen Property charge.

A recent study from Wisconsin Policy Forum showed that only 39.7% of cases referred to the Milwaukee County DA's Office in 2022 were actually charged.

08/03/2023

Thanks to everyone that came out to see Officers Doughman and Cory at National Night Out. Hope you enjoyed chatting with them and checking out our equipment.

07/17/2023

Just a reminder for our residents, school families, and anyone else traveling on Spruce Rd. at Brown Deer Rd., there is no left turn for those going southbound on Spruce Rd. The determination was made to restrict the turn due to safety and traffic congestion. Besides the traffic back ups, we recently had a very serious accident at the intersection due to someone attempting to make the left turn.

If you are caught making the left turn, you will be issued a citation. For those asking about warnings, instead of citations- we believe the trailer saying no left turn, the no left turn symbol sign, the sign with the wordage of no left turn, the orange flags, the squad positioned in the area, and even at times of congestion the officer physically pointing at the sign were all your advanced warning to not make the turn.

While we understand all of the construction issues are an inconvenience (they are for us too), we appreciate the cooperation in making the roads a safer place for everyone while the process is ongoing.

07/04/2023

Happy 4th of July!

Remember to leave the fireworks to the professionals. If you are drinking, don’t drive. Make sure you have a plan for a safe ride home. And enjoy the day!

05/18/2023

Another reminder to make sure your mailbox and driveway are properly marked and can be seen from a distance. We still run across a ton of addresses that are improperly marked and are hard to see, especially at night.

05/18/2023

From Wisconsin Department of Transportation -
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is underway with reconstructing 14 miles of the I-43 North-South Corridor, from Silver Spring Drive north to WIS 60, in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. The project is broken into five segments (North End, County Line Road/Port Washington Road Interchange, South End, Mequon Road Interchange, and Port Washington Road).

This project includes the expansion of I-43 from four to six lanes, the reconstruction of five existing interchanges along the corridor, a new interchange at Highland Road, and the replacement of the Union Pacific railroad bridge over I-43 in Glendale. The project also includes the expansion of Port Washington Road, between Bender and Daphne Roads, from two lanes to four lanes. I-43 North-South is scheduled to remain open to two lanes, in each direction, during peak travel times.

05/10/2023

Upcoming closures

05/07/2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office

05/02/2023

Please see attached letter and photo regarding the re-paving project on Dean Rd. starting May 9. Contact DPW Superintendent Craig Schroeder with any questions.

04/11/2023

Upcoming construction closures and detours.

04/10/2023

This week we recognize our 911 Telecommunicator Team at Bayside Communications Center (BCC). These amazing people are the "first" first responders answering the calls that send police, fire and EMS to calls for service. Their job is critical to saving lives and solving crime.

04/09/2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chetek Police Department and Village of Cameron Police Department, along with the friends and family of the two officers who were killed yesterday.

04/03/2023

As the get ready for the first pitch of their home opener, drivers across Wisconsin are seeing this message on state highways today. Drive safely, cross home safely.

04/01/2023

On March 25, the River Hills Police Department was notified by a resident on N. Green Bay Ct. that their Ring camera detected a person with a bicycle in their yard and driveway looking at their cars. This subject left without incident.

On March 30, the department was notified by a resident on W. Spruce Ct. of the same type of situation.

The department believes both incidents involve the same subject, who we arrested for attempted burglary in March of 2022, in which the District Attorney declined to charge.

He has also had similar contacts in Bayside, Fox Point, and was arrested recently by the Brown Deer and Glendale PD.

So far this subject’s method of operation is to ride a bicycle during the overnight hours and check vehicles parked outside that are unlocked and search for and steal valuable items. In the one case in which we arrested him, it was for entering an unlocked garage. He has always fled when confronted.

In general, the department advises to keep your homes, outbuildings, and vehicles locked at all times. If you notice a suspicious person on yours or a neighbor's property, call 911 as soon as possible.

03/22/2023

PROJECT UPDATE - Beginning Wednesday, March 22:

•The westbound Brown Deer Road (WIS 100) entrance ramp to I-43 southbound and the I-43 southbound exit ramp to eastbound Brown Deer Road are scheduled to permanently close to traffic for interchange reconstruction.
•Temporary pavement, temporary signage, and a temporary traffic signal will be installed along Brown Deer Road at the I-43 southbound ramps to allow all movements at the existing ramps.

Visit https://projects.511wi.gov/43north-south/bender-road-to-brown-deer-road/ for more information!

03/09/2023

Once the storms start, try to avoid driving on the roads if possible. If you need to be on the road, drive safely. Reduce speeds and increase following distance between vehicles.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for most of Wisconsin starting today (March 9) through Friday (March 10). Highest snowfall rates are expected between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Road conditions and visibility will vary depending on location. 511wi.gov has the latest winter road conditions, incidents and live traffic camera views to help you stay safe on the roads.

03/08/2023

02/22/2023

High winds is a major issue during this winter storm.
✅ Be alert for icy roadways and blowing snow over the roads
✅ Be alert near high-profile vehicles and keep a distance if possible
✅ Wind gusts may be stronger in exposed areas like open roads, overpasses and bridges

Winter road conditions at 511wi.gov.

02/14/2023

The River Hills Police Department would again like to express it’s condolences to the Milwaukee Police Department and the friends and family of Officer Jerving.

02/13/2023

02/07/2023

The River Hills Police Department’s thoughts and prayers are with the Milwaukee Police Department, their officers, and the family and friends of the officer who lost his life. Thank you for your service.

01/08/2023

We recently posted an article from WISN that credits CPR with saving Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin's life after a tackle.

On Friday, our officers received a call for a subject that was on the ground, and it appeared they had been doing yard work. Someone passing by, who happened to be a nurse, checked on the subject and began CPR. When they arrived our officers took over CPR and also used one of our defibrillators, which we keep in each squad. Upon their arrival North Shore Fire/Rescue took over and transported the subject to the hospital.

The subject survived because of CPR and what started as the actions of one passer by. In this case it was someone trained in the medical field, but it did not have to be. Anyone with the training and the will to step in could of saved this subject's life. We do not want to take anything away from the actions of the nurse, officers, or firefighters that day, they saved this man's life. Instead, we want to push the importance of learning CPR, so that it doesn't take someone in the medical field or a first responder to step in to start CPR.

If you are not CPR certified, please take a course. If your certification expired or it has been a while since you've taken it, get a refresher. You never know when you could be in a situation where you need it.

01/04/2023

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after suffering from cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals. Experts believe CPR likely saved his life.

12/31/2022

New Year's Eve is a night known for lots of drinking. Make sure you are making smart decisions tonight. Don't drink in excess and don't drink and drive. You've known this night has been coming since last New Year's. Make a plan to stay where you are drinking, get a ride from a friend or a relative, or use an Uber/Lyft or Taxi to get home safely.

12/22/2022

The River Hills Police Department was pleased to help Brown Deer Police Department with their annual shop with a hero event.

“Thank you to -Brown Deer -Brown Deer the River Hills Police Department and Trinity Community Church for helping us make such a fun event possible.”

12/21/2022

With the upcoming snow storms please plan ahead. The village has a no parking ordinance throughout the village unless parking permission was given. For the DPW to get their plows through we need to keep vehicles from parking and blocking roads.

Also, avoid any unnecessary travel. If you can avoid going out in the extreme cold and snowy conditions it will keep you safer.

Plan ahead and take precautions now for the coming winter storm. Travel is expected to be hazardous in many areas on Thursday and Friday. Be prepared for snow, heavy wind gusts, blowing/drifting snow and deteriorating visibility.

Read more about the expected storm impacts and travel safety information: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/122122-winterstorm.aspx

12/16/2022

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign is from December 16 through New Year’s Day. You’ll see more officers out working to remove impaired drivers from our roads.

The goal of the stepped-up law enforcement effort is not just to arrest impaired drivers. The mission is to enhance public safety and prevent needless tragedies by discouraging people from making the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Alcohol and drugs can have a significant impact on a driver’s focus and ability to maintain control behind the wheel. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 6,368 alcohol-related crashes that killed 166 people. Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive sober or get pulled over.

05/06/2022

As the weather is warming up, now is the perfect time for a reminder as the spring projects start. Make sure your addresses are readable on your mailbox. That means at night and from a distance. While we do our best to know where specific residents and addresses are located, the easiest way to locate a house is by a properly marked mailbox.

If the fire department, or us, are responding to an emergency we will probably be traveling faster than normal. We will have lights flashing, which creates reflections and shadowing at night. And we will be talking to dispatch and other responding units to collect and pass along information. The fire department also serves all 7 North Shore communities and they may not all be familiar with exactly where they are going. We may also have mutual aid squads responding with us from neighboring agencies that are not familiar with the village.

Please make sure your mailbox is marked. Preferably with reflective numbers. And large enough to see from a distance. Using numbers that are the same color as the mailbox or with overly fancy designs make them hard to read as well.

04/30/2022

Due to the construction on Green Bay and Brown Deer roads, we are seeing a noticeable increase in traffic on both Bradley and Range Line roads. While these are long term construction projects, we do have some changes we have to make for the safety of our residents, pedestrians, people working throughout the village, and traffic in general. Until these projects are complete we will no longer be granting permission to park on Range Line Rd or Bradley. This includes our department granting permission for special events and contractors. If you have contractors coming to your house that typically park on one of those roads, they will need to start parking in your driveway or make different arrangements.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but for safety we need to make these changes, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation.

04/14/2022

Did you know there are 10 Fire/EMS Dispatch Centers in Milwaukee County? Daily, resources from municipalities throughout the County are crossing municipal borders to assist others for life-threatening events through a system known as mutual aid. The 10 dispatch centers, in cooperation with Milwaukee County, recently implemented a software to connect each center digitally allowing rapid sharing of resource requests. The new software replaces manual voice requests by phone or radio and will save time when seconds count! #911

03/17/2022

The River Hills Police Department has a suspect in custody in regards to our last post. Third shift officers located a subject on a bicycle that was in the area of the previous burglary and also some additional entry to autos and trespassing complaints. The subject took off from the officers, but was located after a perimeter was set up involving numerous other North Shore agencies.

If you have any video of the subject last night, or nights prior, entering your property, trying to enter your home or garage, or anything else that seemed suspicious please let us know and get that video to us. This should be a reminder to follow the safety tips from the last post and keep your homes and vehicles locked up and secure.

An extra thanks to Village of Bayside Police Department, Brown Deer Police Department, and Fox Point Police Department for their assistance this morning.

03/15/2022

We are currently investigating a burglary that happened within the last week. A subject entered a home through an unsecured door to the garage. He then made his way through the home and went through an office before being scared off by the homeowner. The homeowners were home the entire time this occurred.

This is a good reminder for residents to make sure things are properly secured. Don’t leave garage doors or doors to your home open or unlocked.

Remove keys and purses from your vehicles. Whether parked in a garage or outside. If your vehicle is left outside, remove any garage door openers or house keys.

Don’t leave items of value sitting in your yard or out in the open in your vehicles.

Use appropriate lighting at night so that any suspicious activity can be seen.

A camera system is highly recommended. Not only as a deterrent, but as evidence if a crime occurs at your home or even a neighbors.

And most importantly, if you see something, say something. There are a lot of times we hear hours or days later that someone saw a person acting suspicious or a vehicle parked or driving through an area that just didn’t seem right. We would rather stop out with the subject(s) to find out it was nothing, rather than have you or a neighbor become a victim of a crime.

03/13/2022

Spring ahead! Remember to not only change your clocks today, but change your smoke detector batteries. Remember to replace your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors when necessary as well.

02/24/2022

Our department is currently investigating a utility distraction scam burglary that occurred yesterday. During this a subject claimed to be investigating a water main break that may have contaminated the homes water. At least two subjects were involved that were wearing work vests and using radios to communicate.

Before letting any unsolicited and unrequested workers into your home, verify who they are. If they are legitimate workers, they won’t mind waiting a couple minutes for us to get there and verify they are legit workers. We would also rather have a conversation with them, than investigate a burglary later.

If you mention calling us and they leave, try to safely get a vehicle description and direction of travel.

02/22/2022

Reports of rain, freezing rain, and a snow mix starting in a few hours and carrying over into tomorrow night. Avoid the roads if you can. And when/if you need to go out, plan ahead to give yourself some extra time. Roads will be slick, drive careful.

01/26/2022

We have numerous residence’s without power due to a vehicle striking a pole. WE Energies is aware and is on scene.

01/01/2022

North Shore Fire/Rescue handled a house fire in the village last week and this morning a vehicle fire. Great work by North Shore.

01/01/2022

As we are getting ready to roll into the new year, make sure you have a safe way home after the celebrations end. The roads are already getting slick, don’t add drinking and driving into the mix.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

12/18/2021

Congrats on retirement!