Community policing drives recent spike in service calls

MANAWA – The Manawa Police Department reported 118 calls for service in June, marking an increase compared to recent years, though Police Chief Jason Severson noted the spike is driven by routine community interactions rather than a local crime wave.
The June call volume is up from 93 calls in June 2025 and 62 calls in June 2024, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 539 calls.
More than half of the department’s June incidents were categorized as community policing, which accounted for 61 of the 118 total calls. Severson said the community policing calls reflect blended calls between the city and county, and are often generated when officers conduct school and business checks, make appearances at local sporting events, or engage in general public interactions.
Other frequent incidents in June included eight ambulance or medical assists, five mental health calls and five telephone complaints.
While overall crime remains standard for a city of Manawa’s size, Severson said that internet crimes against children (ICAC) cases have become a larger problem over the last couple of years. He said one officer has dedicated significant time to investigating an ICAC case in recent months, and Officer Shannon Wesoloski is registered for a specialized state ICAC training session in Appleton this October.

The department has also focused on community outreach this summer. On June 27, Officer Emmaus Schaefer participated in the Police Lights of Christmas “Ride with the Lights” event in a squad car, while Wesoloski rode a motorcycle in the event on his own time. The annual event includes an escorted drive through Northeast Wisconsin that raises funds for Police Lights of Christmas.
Manawa Police will also participate in the annual “Cops@Culver’s Day” Tuesday. Manawa officers will be stationed at the Clintonville Culver’s location during the lunch and dinner hours to serve food and collect donations alongside officers from over 130 Wisconsin law enforcement agencies participating at locations statewide.
Culver’s donates a percentage of the day’s sales and all tip donations to the Police Lights of Christmas program. The funds are converted into gift cards for businesses like Walmart, Kwik Trip, Culver’s, and Subway, which officers distribute to community members in need.
Severson said officers identify recipients through local schools, during routine calls and traffic stops, or when residents reach out directly for help with essentials like gas.
Police are also participating in the Manawa Night Out at Veterans Park from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on August 6. All three of the city’s officers will be running a “human slot machine” to give out prizes. The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department is also scheduled to perform a drone demonstration for the public during the event.