(WBBM NEWSADIO) — Elected officials in Kenosha, Wisconsin are grateful for a peaceful weekend as they prepare for President Trump’s visit Tuesday — whether they want it or not.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth on Monday said the temperature seems to have gone down, based on cooperation he’s seeing in the community.
But Mayor John Antaramian said the timing of Trump’s visit — amid potential flareups over the recent police shooting of a Black man — is not ideal.
“It would be better for us to have the community be able to pull together, let the community get together,” Antaramian said. “It would have been nice if he’d waited awhile a little longer down the road, but it is what it is.”
Demonstrations and counter-demonstrations were sparked Aug. 23 when a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shot a Black man seven times during a domestic call — a shooting that is under investigation by state and federal officials.
Blake’s family says the 29-year-old is paralyzed below the waist as he tries to recover in the hospital.
Trump says he ordered National Guard troops to help keep the peace in Kenosha after two people were killed in a subsequent shooting. Officials say Trump had nothing to do with the state-coordinated effort.
Trump’s presidential opponent, Democrat Joe Biden, said Trump has fanned the flames of conflict, rather than tried to de-escalate tensions.
Mayor Antaramian said the city's police department will meet its obligations to help guard the president. He said he plans to include money in the next budget for police body cameras.
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