Kenosha County equity commission finds Black adults nearly seven times more likely than whites to be arrested
Black adults were nearly seven times more likely to be arrested in Kenosha County than their white counterparts, a finding a local commission believes may indicate disproportionate treatment by local law enforcement.
A report prepared by the Kenosha County Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission — based on 2021 state crime data—showed the arrest rate of white adults was 23.9 per 1,000 in the population, compared with 159.7 per 1,000 for Black adults, or 6.7 times higher among Blacks.
Black juveniles in the county were as many as 5.5 times more likely to be arrested by law enforcement than their white peers, at an average of 106.9 per 1,000 population, vs 19.5 per 1,000 population for whites.
Data through the end of 2022 is not yet available.
The data was detailed in a four-page report that was approved 6-1 by commissioners Thursday night. Members of the county commission include Mimi Vang, Brad Backer, Justin Crosby, Elizabeth Garcia, Derrell Greene, and County Board Supervisors Daniel Gaschke and Brian Thomas.
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Greene was the only dissenting vote, contending that language in the report should also include the word “disproportionate.”
“Without that terminology in there, the report has no meaning. Absolutely nothing. It doesn’t tell anyone anything,” he said. “I think the challenge that we had, that was charged to us, was to provide the board with information or anything that would indicate there are some issues we need to discuss or raise to their attention, and I think that by not putting the word ‘disproportionate’ in there we are failing to do what were tasked to do.”
The word was later added to the report on a 4-3 vote, with Vang, Backer, Garcia and Greene in favor of the change.
Public forum planned
The Equity Commission’s report is expected to be sent to the County Board’s Executive Committee next month.
The report on race and arrests, along with its findings and recommendations, will also be part of a public forum or listening session tentatively planned for mid-February, which will also include a discussion on affordable housing.
According to the commission’s report, disparities in arrest rates per 1,000 in the population among Black and white adults (individuals over the age of 18) have increased each year since 2017, with the exception of 2019 to 2020, when it decreased slightly. Similarly, among Black and white juveniles ages 10 to 17, the disparity rates have also increased each year, except for 2019 to 2020.
Black adults over the age of 18 represented 6.2 percent of the county’s total population, yet Black made up 34.2 percent of adult arrests in 2021. Black juveniles comprised 8.7 percent of the population, compared with 44 percent of all juvenile arrests.
In its findings, the commission issued a statement that the “appearance of racial unfairness by law enforcement is a serious community problem” and one that requires “prompt, consequential action” by county government. “Racially disparate treatment by law enforcement undermines comity and effective law enforcement,” the commission’s report stated.
Investigation, tracking recommended
The report recommends the county promptly “retain, fully fund” and “robustly support a project-based, qualified independent consultant” to work with the Sheriff’s Department and the county’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion coordinator to investigate reasons behind the disparities and propose measures to eliminate any “impermissible causes” or “substantially” reduce them.
They would be required to issue a written report to the County Board describing their work findings and proposals.
The commission also recommended, beginning this year, that the county implement recordkeeping that tracks “race, color and gender by self-identification” of people who are arrested, if it does not already do so, and that the data collected be made available to the public.
Hard copies of the report were available at the meeting and will soon be accessible on the commission’s home page on the county website.
A career in photos: Racine Police Chief Art Howell
Pre-policing days
Art Howell’s nickname when he worked at McDonald’s at 2100 Lathrop Avenue from 1978 to 1983 was literally “Chief,” an omen for the official role he would later hold with the Racine Police Department. He’s shown posing in this photo, at far-left, in his McDonald’s uniform next to his sisters Sindy Howell-Stewart and Vanessa Oliver.
April 1987: Investigating
Sporting a short afro typical of the times, Art Howell works with partner Dean Stanton in the early days of the Racine Police Department’s gang-diversion unit.
October 1995: Community
Late landlord George Goodwater, right, tried to order police officers, including then-Sgt. Art Howell, left, from his property at 1111 Geneva St. during a walking tour Friday that involved trying to improve Racine’s neighborhoods and housing conditions.
March 1998: Education
After being brought on stage, Art Howell, then public information officer with the Racine Police Department, dances with female members of the Slick Boys rap group during a concert/presentation on March 31, 1998, at Mitchell Middle School. The group, started by three Chicago police officers, spred its anti-gang, anti-drug and anti-violence message through rap lyrics.
July 1998: Policing
There are now computers in every single police squad car, and most anyone can carry smartphones in their pockets with ease. In this photo from July 16, 1998, Art Howell (then a sergeant with the Racine Police Department) sets up the city’s new outbound announcement computer system, City Watch, which was then able to make about 500 calls per hour.
February 1999
A mustachioed Art Howell is pictured here in February 1999.
June 2000: Barriers broken
Art Howell, along with then Racine Police Department Lt. Steve Hurley, started a club that took children fishing with police officers. The club is now considered a precursor to the Community Oriented Policing Model the RPD has adopted. In the early 2000s, Howell was the department’s highest ranking African American officer, being a lieutenant. In 2002, he became a captain.
October 2010: Investigating
Art Howell, second from left, the deputy chief of the Racine Police Department, and Lt. Carlos Lopez, second from right, were (at the time this photo was taken) the two finalists for the position of Racine Police Chief. This photo was taken during an investigation of a homicide in the woods between Riverview Terrace and the Root River, south of the intersection of West Sixth Street and Mound Avenue.
May 2011: Investigating
Then still a deputy chief, Art Howell, right, spoke with police investigators in the parking lot of Peg & Lou’s Bar & Grill, 3113 Douglas Ave. on the morning of May 10, 2011, after a man was found dead near the bar.
April 2012: Howell sworn in
Racine Police Chief Art Howell addresses the standing-room-only crowd on April 2, 2012, after Howell, 49, was sworn in during a ceremony in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
April 2012: Howell sworn in
Racine City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin swears in Police Chief Art Howell Monday afternoon, April 2, 2012, during the 2 p.m. roll call in the City Hall Council Chambers. Howell was 49 at the time.
April 2012: Howell sworn in
Racine City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin swears in Police Chief Art Howell Monday afternoon, April 2, 2012, during the 2 p.m. roll call in the City Hall Council Chambers. Howell, at the age of 49, succeeded Kurt Wahlen.
April 2012: Howell sworn in
Racine Police Chief Art Howell laughs and he addresses the standing room crowd Monday afternoon, April 2, 2012, after Howell, 49, was sworn in as police chief of Racine during a ceremony in the City Hall Council Chambers.
April 2012: Howell sworn in
Racine City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin swears in Police Chief Art Howell Monday afternoon, April 2, 2012, during the 2 p.m. roll call in the City Hall Council Chambers.
A line of chiefs
These photos of Racine’s current and former police chiefs are seen on the wall of the second floor of the police station on Center Street.
August 2012: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell stands with Beth David, left, and Carolyn Bonds as he delivers a speech during the National Night Out kickoff at the COP House located on Jacato Drive on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The turning around of Jacato Drive into Anthony Lane is one of the Community Oriented Policing Model’s biggest points of pride in Racine.
August 2012: Education
Racine Police Chief Art Howell puts a backpack on a child as he hands out backpacks on Aug. 20, 2012, during the Back-to-School Stay-in-School Festival and backpack giveaway at Festival Park, 5 Fifth St.
August 2014: Community
Racine native and NBA star Caron Butler dumps a bucket of ice water on Racine Police Chief Art Howell during Peacefest on Aug. 24, 2014, at Quarry Lake Park. Howell was the one of the latest to take the challenge as part of a fundraiser for the ALS Association, which would go on to inspire more than $115 million in donations to the cause.
November 2012: Tragedy
Racine Police Chief Art Howell leads a moment of silence for the victims of an early morning fire on Linden Avenue on Nov. 8, 2012. It was one of the worst tragedies of the year, Howell’s first as police chief, with three children dying in the blaze.
November 2012: Investigating
Police chief Art Howell speaks to the media during a Thursday, November 15, 2012 press conference in the Racine County Courthouse regarding what was then an ongoing investigation into a series of sexual assaults against children committed by Alexander R. Richter, who later was sentenced to 145 years in prison.
May 2014: Policing
Racine police chief Art Howell speaks during a memorial ceremony at Hantschel Park, 5400 Byrd Avenue in Racine on Tuesday May 13th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony paid tribute to all law enforcement professionals killed in the line of duty.
September 2014: Community
Racine Chief of Police Art Howell hands 13-year-old Gage Watkins a set of baseball cards while sitting in the front yard of his Racine home on Thursday, September 25, 2014.
March 2015: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell serves soup during the 17th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser to fight hunger Monday, March 2, 2015, at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St. Proceeds will be donated to the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization and Racine County Food Bank. From 1997-2014, Empty Bowls has donated more than $168,000 to hunger and homeless assistance programs in Racine, with more being raised each year.
May 2015: Policing
Racine Police Chief Art Howell, standing left, and Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, standing right, salute during the playing of taps during the annual Racine County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on May 11, 2015 at Hantschel Park. The name of Arthur Herman was added to the memorial the previous year, after it was discovered this year that the Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy died in the line of duty on May 15, 1920, while chasing an escaped jail inmate.
In a statement to The Journal Times this week, Schmaling said of Howell: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside Chief Art Howell. The chief brought a high level of professionalism and dedication to the community, which I was able to witness firsthand over the many years we have collaborated on matters of public safety. He is leaving big shoes to fill for the incoming chief. On behalf of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, I wish Chief Howell the very best of health and happiness in his next chapter. His experience, wisdom and knowledge of the community will be greatly missed.”
July 2015: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell applauds Ernest and Bernice Styberg during the dedication ceremony for former Jacato Drive Community Oriented Policing House, which was renamed after community supporters Ernest and Bernice Styberg on the afternoon of, July 9, 2015, at 2437 Anthony Lane. Along with renaming the COP house, Jacato Drive was renamed Anthony Lane during the ceremony.
March 2016: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell talks with Racine Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Lolli Haws Monday, March 7, 2016, during the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization and the Racine County Food Bank at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St.
July 2016: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell addresses about 80 people who gathered on the night of July 13, 2016, at Monument Square to pray, sing and remember the victims of nationwide violence who died during the past several weeks, including police officers killed in Dallas the week prior. The vigil was organized by the Racine Interfaith Coalition.
October 2016: Policing
Kellon Gullifro is congratulated by Racine Police Chief Art Howell after he was promoted Monday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2016, during the 2 p.m. roll call in the Racine City Hall Council Chambers.
December 2016: Community
Racine Police Chief Art Howell signs a book during the 14th annual Cops ‘N Kids Holiday Book Giveaway Saturday morning, Dec. 17, 2016, at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St.
February 2017: Community
Caron Butler, retired NBA player and Racine native, gives Racine Police Chief Art Howell a hug at the re-opening of the Bray Center on Feb. 23, 2017.
June 2017: Barriers broken
Art Howell, Racine’s first African American police chief, is shown here after promoting Jessie Metoyer to be the Racine Police Department’s first female lieutenant on June 7, 2017.
August 2017: Education
Racine Police Chief Art Howell addresses RUSD staff at a pep rally at Case High School to kick off the new year on the morning of Aug. 31, 2017.
August 2017: Community
Police Chief Art Howell gives a speech during the National Night Out kickoff event on Wisconsin Street on Aug. 1, 2017.
January 2018: Tragedy
The fatal police shooting of Donte Shannon, a black man who according to police was carrying a gun as he fled from two Racine police officers on Jan. 17, 2018, was one of the most contentious times in Police Chief Art Howell’s tenure at the helm of the RPD. Howell often cited the shooting at a moment when the Racine community’s trust with the Racine Police Department — long touted for its community-oriented policing model — was tested.
June 2019: Community
Racine Mayor Cory Mason (with scissors) and former NBA Player/Racine native Caron Butler officially open the new “Dream Court” at Roosevelt Park on Saturday. Butler helped bring the court to Racine with Nancy Lieberman Charities and the City of Racine. Kneeling in front of the ribbon is Racine Police Chief Art Howell.
June 2019: Tragedy
Racine Police Chief Art Howell, left, talks on the phone early in the morning of June 18, 2019. Hours earlier, late in the night of June 17, Racine Police Officer John Hetland was murdered during a robbery at Teezers Bar & Grill on Lathrop Avenue.
June 2019: Tragedy
Racine Police Chief Art Howell speaks at a press conference on June 27, 2019, announcing the capture of a suspect in the killing of officer John Hetland on June 17. Dalquavis Ward, the suspect, was convicted 18 months later.
July 2019: Community
An attendee greets Racine Police Chief Art Howell, right, during the annual 4th Fest of Greater Racine Parade in Downtown Racine on the Fourth of July 2019.
September 2019: Education
Racine Police Chief Art Howell high-fives a Mitchell K-8 student as she walks into school for the first day of classes on Sep. 3, 2019.
May 2020: Coronavirus
One of the biggest crises Art Howell faced in his nearly nine years as Racine’s police chief was the COVID-19 pandemic. In this May 2020 photo, he masks up while addressing members of the media in City Hall during a press conference detailing the tenets of the City of Racine’s Forward Racine order, one of the first times COVID-related guidelines were made to be less strict.
June 2020: Riots
Racine Police Chief Art Howell, left, and Mayor Cory Mason, right, inspect the damage to the Thelma Orr Community Oriented Policing House, 1146 Villa St., on the morning of June 1, 2020. Hours earlier, after a peaceful May 31 protest devolved into violence in the early hours of June 1, the COP House named after one of Howell’s mentors was intentionally set ablaze and crowds in the streets prevented firefighters from getting on scene quickly.
March 2021: Coronavirus
Police Chief Art Howell encourages Racine’s communities of color to get vaccinated on March 22, 2021.
Dee Hölzel
March 30, 2021: Goodbye
Art Howell’s father, who died in 1995, worked at Case. Howell kept a miniature Case tractor in his office to honor his dad.
March 30, 2021: Goodbye
Art Howell smiles for a photo inside his office on Tuesday, his next-to-last day as the Racine’s chief of police.
March 30, 2021: Goodbye
A plaque that is to be hung in the lobby of the Racine Police Department, 730 Center St., honors one of Art Howell’s mentors: Thelma Orr, for whom one of the RPD’s COP Houses is named.
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