by Catherine Smith
Fox News reports, destruction to city-owned property caused by rioters over the last week following the police shooting of Jacob Blake has climbed to nearly $2 million, city officials said Monday night.
“Right now, we’re estimating between lost equipment, lost street lights, lost traffic signals, and miscellaneous sign damage – we’re estimating a cost of approximately $1.9 million,” said Kenosha Public Works Director Shelly Billingsley, in an update reported to the Public Works Committee.
Billingsley said the estimate is based on what it would cost to replace the equipment. She confirmed that two dump trucks that functioned as snow-plow vehicles in the winter were destroyed. Officials were hopeful they could get two new trucks prior to the snowfall this year, although the coronavirus pandemic could impact how quickly that would happen.
The vehicles destroyed, which also included garbage trucks, were deployed in downtown at the time of the protests and destroyed by rioters through the night. Street lights and traffic signals were also destroyed.
“But as much as it is a loss, the burning hulks did provide some additional security,” said Ald. Bill Siel, according to Kenosha News. “So, I guess they went down with a fight.”
Siel said he realizes that some might not view the situation similarly.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian announcedhe has requested $30 million in state funding from Governor Tony Evers “to help the City of Kenosha rebuild and heal after the week of violence and damage experienced particularly in the downtown, uptown and surrounding areas of the city,” Fox 6 Now reported.
“Kenosha is a safe community with hardworking individuals who are mourning and facing immense tragedy and devastation,” Antaramian said in a news release. “We’re asking the state and community partners to help rebuild what was lost and to invest in programs and training for our young people.”
Kenosha fire officials reported 37 fires set on Monday night, Aug. 24 in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday. The following night, two people were fatally shot, allegedly by 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse of Antioch, Illinois, according to Fox 6 Now.
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Catherine Smith reports for American Greatness.
Photo “Jacob Blake Poster” by Becker1999. CC BY 2.0.
