Crime down in Whitewater, police chief reports

City’s K9 officer, Boomer, credited with 10 drug discoveries

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

Crime overall was on the decline in year-over-year comparisons in Whitewater, according to data gleaned by the city’s Police Department.

Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher came before the Common Council on Aug. 19 and gave highlights of the department’s 2013 annual report. Compiling crime data annually is a requirement, and the information is shared with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Overall, major crimes decreased 8 percent in 2013, versus 2012, Otterbacher said. She attributed a number of reasons — including so-called “targeted patrol efforts” — for the overall decline. Property crimes and sexual assaults each decreased.

But there are several areas that remain of concern, particularly when it comes to drug use. The number of actual drug charges throughout the city — including the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus — dropped in 2013.

“Unfortunately, it’s not because drug use is on the decline,” Otterbacher added. She asserted drug sales continue to be an ongoing challenge to the city and university’s police forces.

One of the department’s most notable arrests in 2013 came when detectives purchased and confiscated 15 grams of heroin from a dealer. The ongoing rise in heroin use throughout Southeastern Wisconsin is an issue that has garnered attention from leaders and community activists throughout the region.

In her recent address to the council, Otterbacher briefly spoke of the department’s new canine, Boomer, who was brought onto the department through a number of grants and philanthropic efforts.

Boomer recently helped police make an arrest through a sniff warrant within Walworth County. Boomer’s handler, Officer Joseph Matteson, was able to secure a search warrant, based on the dog’s behavior.

The end result of Boomer’s efforts: officers arrested a man for possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

In all, Otterbacher said Boomer has been credited with discovering illegal drugs during 10 automobile stops in the city.