RACINE – Maurice Robinson plans to start as the City of Racine’s new Police Chief in mid-May; it was announced Thursday. He will succeed Art Howell, who completed his last day as chief and retired effective Wednesday. Robinson comes to Racine from the Cincinnati Police Department, where he is the leader of criminal investigations. He […]
Tag: Art Howell
Hometown Hero: Police Chief Art Howell
Art Howell began his career with the Racine Police Department and is ending it as the Chief of Police. As of today, he is retiring. Howell is the first African American to be elected and to serve in this position. He has worked 36 years in blue, nine of them as Chief. His dedication has […]
Racine Police Chief Art Howell announces retirement
RACINE, WI – After serving on the Racine Police Department for 36 years, Chief Art Howell announced that he plans to retire at the end of the year. Over the years, Howell worked his way up the ranks. He started his career in 1984 as a patrol officer. Then, he held positions as a gang […]
Following National Trend, City of Racine Spends Heavily on Policing
After George Floyd, a black man, died at the hands of a white Minneapolis Police Officer on Memorial Day, protests and calls to defund, demilitarize, reform, and even abolish the police have swelled across the country. Floyd’s death “shocked the conscience of the nation,” Racine Police Chief Art Howell said in a letter to the […]
Protesters confront police in front of police department, set COP house on fire
RACINE, WI – The COP House, 1146 Villa Street, was set on fire by protesters at about 2 a.m. Monday following a confrontation with police, according to Racine Police Chief Art Howell. By 2:36 a.m., the fire had been put out, according to preliminary reports. The night didn’t start out violent. https://twitter.com/LessnauThomas/status/1267274668974669827 A small crowd […]
Racine Police Chief on COVID-19: Response needs to be strategic and non-partisan
Racine Police Chief Art Howell As is well-known as of this time, the COVID-19 pandemic is real. Within just a few short weeks, our nation went from hosting Super Bowl parties and other large gatherings to sheltering in place under various state-level Safer at Home Orders. While this crisis is global in nature, affecting millions […]
Dickert: Racine Police Won’t Arrest Undocumented People
In the light of massive protests over President Donald Trump’s executive order tightening federal immigration laws, Racine Mayor John Dickert emphasized Monday that the Racine Police Department will not arrest people for being undocumented. Trump issued the executive order last week, which established a policy of allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to “perform the functions […]
Racine Police Chief Howell Up for Top Cop in Rockford
Racine police Chief Art Howell is a finalist for the top job with the Rockford, IL, police department. “While I am honored to be considered as a finalist for this position, my personal ties, and commitment to the Racine community remains strong,” he said in an email statement. Howell’s contract is up April 1 – […]
Why We’re Hosting A Forum On Bullying
The Racine County Eye is hosting a forum on bullying from 6 to 8 p.m. June 3 at the Bray Center, 924 Center Street. We’d love for you to be there because we know how important children are in this community. And for us, the issue of bullying has become too important to ignore. After 15-year-old Caledonia resident Cameron Langrell committed […]
UPDATE: Three Injured In Pit Bull Attack
Two seven-old boys and a man were injured after a pit bull attacked them at 12:41 p.m. Saturday at a residence in the 1500 block of Summit Avenue. The two boys were taken to Wheaton Franciscan Hospital — All Saints emergency room and later taken to Froedtert Hospital. The boys have been released from the […]
Racine Peacefest A Success
The first Peacefest started off with a splash… literally as Racine Police Chief Art Howell got doused by NBA basketball star Caron Butler with a bucket of icy water. The ice bucket challenge was to support the ALS Association. Peacefest was all about supporting the community. Hundreds of families took advantage of the warm weather and headed […]
COMMENTARY: Support Peacefest, Community Fellowship
By Racine Police Chief Art Howell On Sunday August 24th, the Greater Racine Community will come together for a day of food, fun and fellowship, all in support of the local Community Oriented Policing initiative in Racine. This special event (entitled PeaceFest), is the vision of Beth David, founder of We Are Racine (WAR) a […]
Report Confirms Justified Shooting, Chief Regrets Loss of Life
Reports released Tuesday by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the shooting death of Rajko Utvic earlier this month by Racine police was justified. As detailed by The Journal Times, statements made by the officers involved in the incident were made public for the first time, and from what they told investigators, Utvic left […]
Racine DA: Officer Involved Shooting Of Rajko Utvic “Legal, Justified and Necessary”
An officer involved shooting of a 37-year-old Racine man that was reportedly suicidal was “legal, justified and necessary,” wrote Racine County District Rich Chiapete in a letter to Racine Police Chief Art Howell. Rajko Utvic was shot and killed by a Racine Police officer on July 7. When Racine police officers arrived, Utvic was brandishing a knife and not only refused […]
Chief: Online Meetings Never Take Place at Home
After a Racine woman was attacked in her home by a man she met online, Racine police Chief Art Howell Saturday issued a statement advising residents to exercise extreme caution when arranging these kinds of dates. In his statement, Howell pointed out that this recent local incident and the murders of two women found in […]