Crowd of 300 at ribbon cutting required no police intervention; two “suspicious loitering” reports turn out to be tourists
The Internet’s inaugural day of operation produced seven calls to the police department, according to a summary provided by Police Chief Leonard Zaborski, who noted that this was “a quiet day by any measure, which is how I like it.”
Chief Zaborski, a twenty-year veteran of the Fond du Lac Police Department before taking this position, said the department’s four officers — “four for now, more to come,” he said — handled all seven calls without incident. The most significant event of the day was a parking dispute on Mill Street that required a verbal warning. The least significant was a call about a dog that turned out to be a large cat.
“People in new places sometimes see things that aren’t a problem as though they might be,” Zaborski said. “That’s natural. A big cat looks unusual if you’re not expecting it. We are here, we are visible, and we are unarmed except for what we’re issued. A quiet town is a good town.”
Compiled from daily incident reports provided by the Internet Police Department. All persons named are suspects; arrests are not convictions.
8:14 a.m. — Mill Street (200 block)
Officers responded to a complaint of a vehicle parked blocking a driveway. Investigation found the vehicle was a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado registered to Dale Przybylski of the 200 block of Mill Street. Przybylski advised that the driveway in question is his own. Complaint withdrawn. No citation issued.
9:02 a.m. — Commerce Avenue / Factory Perimeter
Officer Walczak investigated a report of “suspicious persons taking photographs of the factory building.” Subjects identified as three visitors from Madison attending the public ribbon-cutting. Photography of the exterior of a public building during a public event is not a crime. Subjects photographed with full permission. No further action taken.
10:58 a.m. — Town Square
Report of a large animal “behaving strangely near the base of the new library steps.” Animal identified as a Maine Coon cat belonging to Librarian Zofia Deschamps. Cat returned to library. Deschamps said the cat’s name is “Dewey” and that he does this sometimes.
12:31 p.m. — Henke’s Piggly Wiggly, Parking Lot
Complaint of a shopping cart left in a handicapped space. Cart retrieved by store employee before officers arrived. Complaint noted. No citation.
2:14 p.m. — Commerce Avenue / Factory East Lot
Second report of suspicious individuals near factory premises. Subjects identified as four journalists from two out-of-town publications seeking to photograph the building for news coverage. All held valid press credentials. Photography permitted. Officers provided directions to the Tribune building for any future press inquiries.
4:45 p.m. — Mill Street (100 block)
A verbal altercation between two residents regarding the placement of a property-line fence. Both parties advised to contact the town’s new zoning office regarding survey disputes. Neither party physically struck the other. Officer Kowalski documented both complaints and suggested that “the zoning office will open next Monday and this seems like a next-Monday problem.”
7:21 p.m. — Lakeview Drive Apartments
Noise complaint from a tenant regarding music played at excessive volume. Music identified as a Credence Clearwater Revival playlist. Neighbor advised to turn it down. Volume reduced. No citation issued, though responding officer noted in his report that “the song that was playing was ‘Fortunate Son,’ which is in fact an excellent song.”