Wisconsin law enforcement and the National Guard are on standby as they await the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.
Gov. Tony Evers has authorized about 500 National Guard troops to be ready in Waukesha County as of Tuesday, WITI-TV reports. They will wait there until or if they are needed by Kenosha police or the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department.
While Sheriff Gordon Beth wouldn't disclose strategic plans, he did say the department had assets in place prepared to handle matters.
"The city of Kenosha has been through an enormous amount in the last year, and it's critical that the follow up to this verdict be, you know, people speaking out peacefully and not engaged in any acts of violence or destruction," said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Neighboring Milwaukee also is preparing for the verdict.
"Obviously, we've been monitoring the trial in Kenosha," said Mayor Tom Barrett. "The police department has been monitoring the trial. Our police department is prepared. There are no plans right now to call in the National Guard. … I don't foresee them right now, but again, I've been in contact with the police chief. In fact, I talked to him just 20 minutes ago, so we're monitoring this and we hope that whatever happens, it would be peaceful."
"Every incident, including any planning for potential unrest, must be reviewed in a case-by-case manner," the police department added. "The Milwaukee Police Department is constantly reviewing our past practices, as well as other jurisdictions’ best practices, to improve our services. MPD’s main priority remains partnering with the community and our law enforcement stakeholders to ensure public safety in the city of Milwaukee."
