Shawano police say there have been no problems reported at a state residential facility for recently released felons in the city since a New Year’s Day disturbance ended with one person taken into custody, but questions about the extent of supervision at the home still linger.
Police responded about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 1 to a disturbance call of tenants drinking and fighting at 118 S. Union St.
Milwaukee-based Matt Talbot Recovery Services late last year contracted with the Department of Corrections to operate a six-bed temporary placement facility at that address for recently released felons.
Two people carrying a 12-pack of beer came out of the residence when police arrived, according to a police report.
One of them, a 30-year-old Shawano man, fled on foot and was arrested after slipping on the ice and falling. He was taken into custody for a probation violation after a preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.18 percent.
According to court records, the man had multiple convictions in Vilas County for operating while intoxicated and operating without a license.
Police, however, were unable to gain permission to enter the residence to investigate the original disturbance call.
The police report states that three people could be seen inside the residence, but none of them would come to the door.
Police Chief Mark Kohl said unsuccessful attempts were made to reach state probation agents or the property owner to gain permission to enter. He also said there were no exigent circumstances that would have allowed police to enter.
Though the residence is technically a state facility, Kohl said there is no agreement with the state that would allow police to go in without permission.
The facility does not have full-time, live-in supervision.
City officials last year denied the state’s request for placement of sex offenders at the facility for that reason.
Talbot’s agreement with the state called for the residents to be checked on three times a day, in addition to regular visits by state probation agents.
Kohl said he was given assurances by a DOC supervisor that a similar incident would not occur again.
However, Kohl said, he did not know what steps were being taken by the DOC or Talbot to ensure that.
A DOC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
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