Neighbors in Whitefish Bay found their typically quiet block turned into a police staging ground Monday evening, as officers sealed off part of Berkeley Boulevard and told residents to stay inside. The standoff began around 5:30 p.m. on June 22 and dragged into the night, with roads shut down and emergency vehicles parked nearby.
According to WISN, officers from the Whitefish Bay Police Department, along with units from Glendale and Fox Point, surrounded a home on Berkeley Boulevard between Hampton Road and Wilson Drive. Access to several nearby houses was restricted as the perimeter tightened. A drone could be seen flying overhead while investigators repeatedly told onlookers to "stay back" and medical crews waited on standby in the street.
Drone, technology and tactics
North shore departments have leaned more and more on aerial and infrared gear during complicated calls. In a 2021 incident, a Glendale Police Department drone and Whitefish Bay's forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment were credited with helping find stranded paddleboarders during a Lake Michigan rescue, according to the Glendale Police Department. That kind of track record helps explain why a drone was quickly deployed over Berkeley Boulevard during Monday's tight containment.
At the scene: entry and response
Video captured by 12 News showed investigators lining Berkeley Boulevard, and WISN reported that officers used a flash bang device near the house before making entry. Detectives and officers stayed on scene into the evening as the operation unfolded. A full timeline had not been released by officials at the time of WISN's reporting.
How to get updates
Residents looking for confirmed information or hoping to share tips are being directed to the Whitefish Bay Police Department's recent crime updates and contact page. The village lists the department's main phone number as 414-962-3830 and a non-emergency line at 414-351-9900. For emergencies, call 911. For follow-up details and contact options, visit the Whitefish Bay Police Department website.
