Chetek Police Department

06/24/2026

The Barron County Sheriff’s Department continues to receive a lot of complaints from citizens being scammed. Many of our investigations reveal that the criminals orchestrating these scams are located in foreign countries. That means most of the time we can’t trace or recover your money, or arrest the perpetrator(s).

Currently our Detectives are struggling to keep up with the number of cases we are receiving, so we feel it is necessary to put some information out there, again, as a reminder. If you don’t want to get scammed, please follow these tips:

• Never give out personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account, passwords, or one-time verification codes unless you initiated the contact and know who you're dealing with. No legitimate organizations will call you and ask you for your personal information. Remember it like this; if you are already doing business with them, they already have that information. They don’t need to ask you for it.

• Government agencies will not demand immediate payment. Furthermore, they will not request payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.

• Don't trust caller ID. Phone numbers can be spoofed to appear as if they're from law enforcement, a bank, or another trusted organization.

• Verify independently. If someone claims to represent your bank, a government agency, or a family member, hang up and contact them using a phone number you know is legitimate.

• Be cautious of unexpected texts, emails, and pop-up messages asking you to click links or download attachments.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be skeptical of prize notifications, investment opportunities, and online romance requests involving money.

• Law enforcement agencies will never call and demand payment to avoid arrest, pay a warrant, miss jury duty, or resolve a criminal investigation.

• Beware of AI (Artificial Intelligence). It can be used to play on your emotions, to simulate a loved one’s voice on the phone, or in photos or videos, who frantically claim to need money for one reason or another. If you get one of these calls, hang up and call them back on their phone number.

⚠️ Remember: Talk to someone you trust before sending money if you have any doubts. Slow down. Scammers want you to act quickly. Take time to verify before sending money or sharing information.

To our younger people out there with older parents, make sure you are communicating with your parents about their finances and where they are spending their money. The elderly population has been especially susceptible to scams.

Don’t get duped. Spread the word and help us eliminate fraud in Barron County.

06/10/2026

How sad when a community gets together to raise 250k to build a beautiful sports complex for the community to enjoy and this is how it is treated. A lot of people have worked very hard to make this sport complex look beautiful. Please help the Chetek PD find the individual(s) responsible for this damage.

Please call the Chetek Police Department if you have any information.

Thank you

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

WHAT’S NEW As of June 1st 2026

UTV maximum weight increased to 3,500
lbs.

UTV’s must have 2 working tail lights.

Intentionally causing damage with an ATV
or UTV can cost you more than a fine.

There is no longer a 1,000-foot bridge
restriction on a roadway.

Headlamps and tail lamps must all be
maintained in working condition. Example:
A UTV has 2 headlights. Both headlights
must be lit and working when the UTV is
being operated.

ATVs and UTVs may not be operated
(replaces modified) on public trails or
roads if their width exceeds statutory
limitations. 50 inches for ATVs and 65
inches for UTVs.

ATVs and UTVs may not be operated in
a manner which is unreasonably loud,
disruptive, or otherwise interferes with
peace, welfare, and safety, including
unnecessary spinning or squealing of tires,
revving of an engine, or blowing of a horn.

Operators and passengers are all required
to wear a seatbelt in a UTV.

ATV or UTV operators may not tow objects
bearing any person on a trail or route.
Towing persons on ice is limited to 10 mph.

No person may operate or be a passenger
in an ATV or UTV without wearing
glasses, goggles, or a protective face
shield. (Exception for ATVs or UTVs with
windshields.)

ATV and UTV operators must maintain an
unobstructed view through the windshield
and windows when operating the vehicle.

UTVs now have window tint standards.

Window tint requirements:
• Windshield: The windshield may be
tinted so long as the tinting is not
reflective, permits passage through the
windshield of at least 50 percent of the
visible light striking the windshield and
is only on the portion of the windshield
above a line five inches underneath and
parallel to the top of the windshield.

• Side Windows: The front side windows
and vent may be tinted so long as the
tinting is not reflective and permits
passage through the window of at least
50 percent of the visible light striking the
window.

• Rear Windows: The rear window and rear
side windows may be tinted so long as
the tinting is not reflective and permits
passage through the window of at least
35 percent of the visible light striking the
window.

ATVs and UTVs must have working
headlights and brake lights. Exception is
that ATVs manufactured before January 1st,
2016 does not need to have a brake light.

No person may operate any ATV or UTV that is equipped with any
of the following:
• A lamp that emits any color of light other
than white or amber and that is visible
from directly in front of the ATV/UTV.
• A lamp that emits any color of light other
than red, yellow, amber or white and
that is visible from directly behind the
ATV/UTV.
• A flashing, oscillating or rotating lamp
that emits any color other than yellow or
amber.

“WHIP LIGHT” means a series of lights arranged vertically along a flexible rod that is attached to an all-terrain vehicle

ASSEMBLY BILL 217 SECTION

1. Utility terrain vehicle so that the emitted light is visible from any direction approaching the all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle.
2. A person MAY operate an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle that is equipped with a whip light that emits any color of light in a fixed display or according to any pattern or sequence.
3. Notwithstanding subd. 2., a person MAY NOT operate an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle that is equipped with a whip light that emits a flashing red or blue color of light.

** Correction**
Assembly Bill 217 23.33 (6) (ce), failed to pass in April 15th, 2024. If a “whip light” is attached to a UTV and is lighted, it must comply with the lighting color(s) stated in the 2026 Wisconsin All-Terrain/Utility Terrain Vehicle Laws pamphlet.

No person may operate any ATV or UTV that is equipped with any
of the following:
• A lamp that emits any color of light other
than white or amber and that is visible
from directly in front of the ATV/UTV.
• A lamp that emits any color of light other
than red, yellow, amber or white and
that is visible from directly behind the
ATV/UTV.
• A flashing, oscillating or rotating lamp
that emits any color other than yellow or
amber.

06/08/2026

The summer season brings increased UTV and ATV use on the Cities streets. The Chetek Police Department would like to offer a refresher of the rules of the road for recreational vehicles on the city streets. The following link is being offered as a guide to keep the operators of UTV's and ATV's riding safely and within the law.

MunicodeNEXT, the industry's leading search application with over 3,300 codes and growing!

04/08/2026

Today, April 8th marks the 3rd anniversary of the ultimate sacrifices of Chetek Police Officer Emily Bridenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel. Though we haven't seen their smiles or heard their voices, their memories stay with all of us always. We ask that you keep the family, friends, and fellow officers of these Heroes in your kind thoughts and prayers this week. We encourage both communities to visit the memorials of Officer Scheel and Officer Bridenbach outside the Cameron and Chetek Police Departments as no formal event is planned.

04/04/2026

Update…. Pup has been picked up and is on the way home.

This guy is currently at the Police Department waiting for his parents. If anyone knows who his parents are, please contact the Chetek Police Department.

03/14/2026

With the upcoming storm, we want to urge everyone to stay off the roads due to poor driving conditions and unsafe weather.
For everyone's safety, please avoid all non-essential travel until the storm is over and the roads are cleaned up. We recommend staying indoors and monitoring local weather updates for further information. Check in with your neighbors if necessary.
Our Barron County Highway Department crews and Emergency Responders will be working throughout the storm to keep roads clear and assist those in need. We appreciate their continued dedication to keeping our community safe.
Please stay safe and exercise caution.