KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Common Council on Monday gave the mayor emergency authority, which will go into effect as soon as Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces whether to file charges against officer Rusten Sheskey in the shooting of Jacob Blake on Aug. 23. 

It will be valid for eight days after that announcement, which is expected within the next two weeks. 

Mayor John Antaramian proposed a “declaration of authority” resolution, which he said would allow him to impose a curfew after consulting with the police, sheriff, and legal departments. Those groups would decide what “constituted a threat to the community,” he said.

“The authority that you give me basically has certain requirements that go along with it: legal issues as to what and how I do things. It’s my intention to always make sure that I keep the city out of trouble in the way we handle these projects,” Antaramian said during the meeting.  

The mayor said he would only enact the power given by the resolution if he felt it was necessary. 

“That’s how I will be making that determination,” he said. 

The declaration comes ahead of anticipated unrest in the City of Kenosha. 

Antaramian said that no one in the city, including himself and the police chief, knows the decision. Only the district attorney has the information and is in control of its release.

On Jan. 4, Gov. Tony Evers mobilized 500 members of the Wisconsin National Guard to Kenosha to assist local law enforcement. Local authorities requested the move, according to a press release from Evers. 

“We are continuing to work with our local partners in the Kenosha area to ensure they have the state support they need, just as we have in the past,” said Evers. “Our members of the National Guard will be on hand to support local first responders, ensure Kenoshans are able to assemble safely, and to protect critical infrastructure as necessary.” 

Authorities will also designate demonstration spaces, limit city bus routes, close roads, and install protective fencing, according to a statement from Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis. 

Multiple residents called into the meeting to express concerns about the pre-emptive safety measures being put in place and the resolution itself.