Kenosha’s Police Chief Dan Miskinis said Friday that at nearly 50 people have been arrested during protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake.
“To date, there have been somewhere around 50 people arrested. Just under 50,” Miskinis said at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
Chief Miskinis says people have been arrested for a variety of offenses, including weapons violations, drug possession, possession of illegal fireworks, curfew violations and more.
“I believe a suspect was even arrested for possessing a flamethrower,” Miskinis said.
Major General Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s Adjunct General, also provided an update on the number of National Guard soldiers in Kenosha.
As of Friday, there were more than 1,000 Wisconsin National Guard troops in the city, with more expected to arrive from out of state later in the day.
“[Troops from out of state] are currently en route,” Knapp said Friday afternoon.
Major General Knapp also said that city, county, state and federal officials are all keeping tabs on protests scheduled for this weekend.
“We’re definitely keeping track on the weekend,” Knapp said.
“The weekend is a different dynamic.”
Still, Major General Knapp encouraged people to continue peacefully protesting to make sure their voices are heard.
“If you’re a community leader, an influencer or anyone who wants to have your voice heard, please know that these vast resources of our country are here at your disposal to peacefully and lawfully exercise your first amendment rights,” Knapp said.
“Don’t let looting, rioting or any other unlawful behavior drown out your voice.”
You can watch the news conference below, courtesy of TMJ4 News.