For Immediate Release – April 8, 2024

Contact:
Brian Otten, Marketing Director
Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce
715-848-5947 | botten@wausauchamber.com

Chamber Supports City of Wausau Police Department’s Plan to Address Homelessness

WAUSAU — The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors has adopted a formal motion this week in support of the Wausau Police Department’s (WPD) plan to address homelessness in Wausau.

The plan calls for the addition of two sworn officers to assist in curbing the growing problems with the increase in the unhoused population in downtown Wausau. The Chamber believes that this plan is the most comprehensive and compassionate response to the problem. The WPD would continue to utilize its Crisis Assessment Response Team (CART) model, which focuses on assistance over punishment. WPD is requesting ARPA funding to partially fund the positions and has already secured funding from a local foundation to continue the plan into 2025. There will be no increase to the tax levy under this model.

“The number of homeless in Wausau is accelerating and the Police Department’s plan to bolster their CART team with additional officers best addresses this impact on our community,” said Dave Eckman, President and CEO of the Chamber. “As Chief Matt Barnes described in his request to the city’s Finance Committee, there is a small window of time to develop a strategy, implement new initiatives and improve our situation before the effects of this issue result in long-lasting social, economic and health consequences.”

The full ARPA request from WPD’s Chief Matt Barnes can be found beginning on page 13 of the March 26 Finance Committee packet, found here: https://www.wausauwi.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11082/638469767806638843.

The plan will be reviewed at the Wausau City Council’s Human Resource Committee meeting at City Hall on Monday, April 8 and at the Council’s Finance Committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, April 9. This Finance Committee meeting will be followed by a Common Council meeting where the plan will be voted upon.

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The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce is the source for business information in the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The organization has earned a 5-Star Accreditation, one of only two chambers in the state with that designation. The Chamber strengthens member businesses and enhances the region by building business success. For more information on the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, visit us online at www.wausauchamber.com or call 715-845-6231.