(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
By Brian Brant
(KENOSHA, Wis.) Kenosha County Sheriff David G. Beth declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of District Attorney Michael Graveley's decision whether to charge the police officer accused of shooting Jacob Blake.
TMJ4 reports the declaration allows department employees to work longer hours and adjust schedules, but does not create a curfew.
It does not mention any specific responses as part of the state of emergency.
Beth, per TMJ4, said he came to the decision due to:
- The city and county may experience "rioting, looting, damage to county and city property and civil unrest."
- The city and county have a "compelling interest" to keep the peace amid "escalating tension." Human lives and property are "at very high risk."
- All evictions and service of civil process are suspended effective immediately.
Graveley's decision could come at any time during the first two weeks of January, but the declaration would help the city prepare for violence, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Several businesses around the city have boarded up windows and doors in preparation.
Gov. Tony Evers also announced on Monday the deployment of 500 members of the Wisconsin National Guard to the city.
“We are continuing to work with our local partners in the Kenosha area to ensure they have the state support they need, just as we have in the past,” said Gov. Evers. “Our members of the National Guard will be on hand to support local first responders, ensure Kenoshans are able to assemble safely, and to protect critical infrastructure as necessary.”