MILWAUKEE — One week after multiple fights broke out on the closing night of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair — leaving an officer struck and seven people arrested — the public still has no after-action report, no staffing numbers, and no response timeline. On Friday night’s UNJ LIVE broadcast, Urban News Journal read, in full and on air, a certified-mail demand letter that is being sent to seven Wisconsin offices.
Watch: the letter, read on air
Who’s getting it
Seven certified copies, return receipt requested: Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black; Governor Tony Evers; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; West Allis Mayor Dan Devine; the West Allis Police Department; the West Allis alderperson for the district covering State Fair Park; and the Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office of Open Government.
What we’re demanding, in writing, within 15 business days
A complete after-action report with the security staffing plan for closing night, including officer counts by agency and post assignments. The response timeline — when the disturbance began, when it was reported, and when law enforcement arrived, in minutes. The status of the officer who was struck, and whether anyone else was injured and not disclosed. The specific charges against each of the seven people arrested, and which agency made each arrest. Whether this year’s security plan differed from prior years — and if so, how and why. And a public commitment, with a timeline, to changes for the 2027 Fair.
Why seven offices
Because responsibility is genuinely shared. State Fair Park operates the grounds and its own police force under state authority. West Allis provided policing support and is the host municipality. Milwaukee County is home to the fairgrounds. The Governor holds executive authority over State Fair Park as a state agency. And the Attorney General’s Office of Open Government exists for exactly the moment an office decides silence is easier than records.
UNJ will publish every response in full — and will publicly note any office that does not respond within the fifteen business days requested. The clock started August 21. We are counting.
Watch the full episode
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