major retailers subscribe to the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network as it continues to solve crimes, track down suspects
“I’m tremendously grateful for the support of these businesses. The Wisconsin Crime Alert Network was designed with businesses in mind to protect their interests and create safer communities for their customers,” Attorney General Van Hollen said.
For More Information Contact:
Dana Brueck 608/266-1221
MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced that several major retailers have joined the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network (WCAN) as part of an effort to prevent and solve crime in the communities in which they serve customers. Milwaukee-based Kohl’s Department Store, La Crosse-based Kwik Trip, Inc., and Janesville-based Blain’s Farm and Fleet have joined the many individuals and other local businesses as subscribers for their locations. Additionally, Walgreens, Best Buy and Target have purchased subscriptions for their Wisconsin locations. Together, these six retailers have nearly 600 locations in the state.
“I’m tremendously grateful for the support of these businesses. The Wisconsin Crime Alert Network was designed with businesses in mind to protect their interests and create safer communities for their customers,” Attorney General Van Hollen said. “Whether it’s preventing crime, tracking down suspects or stolen goods, or finding missing people, the network’s a proven tool for assisting law enforcement.”
“Blain’s Farm & Fleet has found the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network to be a fast and effective way to inform our Wisconsin store associates of criminal activity occurring in their area. The alerts are targeted specifically to the types of crimes and information relevant to our business type,” Gary Hilt, Vice President of Loss Prevention and Risk Management for Blain Supply, Inc., said of WCAN.
“Kwik Trip is proud to be able to help our law enforcement agencies prevent and solve crimes reported through WCAN. We also look forward to using WCAN to aid in the safety and security of our co-workers and customers as well as helping prevent crimes at our stores,” Brett Gooden, Director of Loss Prevention for Kwik Trip, Inc., said.
With WCAN, law enforcement officers issue alerts at no cost to them either by fax, e-mail or text message to individuals and business owners, who may enroll online to receive alerts at a cost of $12 a year. Thousands of officers across Wisconsin have been trained to use WCAN.
Since it was unveiled in fall of 2011, WCAN has helped investigators solve a number of crimes. On March 6, 2012, the Fort Atkinson Police Department issued an alert for a retail theft. Police reported that the suspect entered a department store then took off with 47 Blu-ray DVDs and three PlayStation games hidden in a bag. An attentive employee wrote down the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office later stopped the individual. Fort Atkinson police report that the suspect had a handwritten list of stores from throughout southern Wisconsin, and by issuing the alert, Fort Atkinson police also learned several other law enforcement agencies considered the same individual a suspect in other incidents.
“This case is an excellent example of how improved communication and awareness serve to enhance public safety across communities,” Attorney General Van Hollen said.
In another incident, on May 4, 2012, the Plover Police Department issued a robbery alert with surveillance photos of the suspect who entered Moto Mart, forcibly grabbed an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and took off. Wisconsin Probation and Parole received the alert and identified the suspect. Shortly thereafter, Merrill Police Department made the arrest.
To enroll or to learn more about WCAN, visit the website below:
