One Root of the Problem

From TV-18:

New Study Highlights Eau Claire's Tough Justice System

Eau Claire’s chief of police reacts to a new study that shows the county has one of the toughest justice systems in the state.

The study, conducted by the National Institute of Corrections, says more people are arrested and sent through the court system in Eau Claire than in other parts of Wisconsin. Jerry Matysik, Eau Claire Chief of Police, says more crimes are reported in Eau Claire than in some of the other counties it was compared to, and so, naturally, more arrests take place.

Matysik does acknowledge, however, there are some things that can be done to ease the burden on the county’s justice system, which some experts say is operating beyond capacity.

“We can perhaps take some of the more minor offenses and instead of charging them as crimes, look at city ordinance citations, perhaps, that might reduce some of the stress on the system,” says Matysik.

Some of those minor offenses could include disorderly conduct, minor drug possession, and minor shoplifting.

Last week, Chief Matysik shared his ideas with other agencies within the county’s justice system. He says it is too early to know when any changes could take place.