Where does the buck stop in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee on target for 200 homicides in 2015
This is in response to Sunday’s incredibly tragic chain of events that led to the deaths of three Milwaukee residents.
First, words cannot even begin to describe the tragedy that unfolded near Wahl Park late Sunday afternoon. Sadly, the tragedy was compounded by intense emotions and an overreaction using deadly violence.
But what is most disturbing to me is the mayor’s news conference (held yesterday, Monday, April 13) about the tragic chain of events. Initially, the mayor rightly mentioned how there’s no substitute for self-control in a situation like the one in the 4600 block of N. 48th St. on Sunday.
But then the mayor made a sharp turn off course, blaming everyone from the state Legislature and the Governor, to the NRA – and even some presidential candidates – for what took place on Sunday.
His rambling blame game was a bit bizarre, I must admit.
Is there any problem in Milwaukee that the mayor of Milwaukee will take responsibility for?
The mayor mentioned that Milwaukee’s homicide rate is up 160% when compared to the same time period last year. It is actually up at least 178% when compared to the same time frame last year.
That is just shocking.
And, over the last three years, statistics are telling us that 20% of our homicides will have occurred by mid-April. If that holds true, we’re on pace for 200 homicides this year (the highest homicide total the city has ever seen, based on my memory).
And sadly, I’m given no reason to believe that we won’t reach that total, as there is no plan or steps coming forward from our mayor – just blame and excuses.
Mayor, you and I must subscribe to different standards! We are continuing to hear from residents across Milwaukee who are scared to go outside, who are looking for an end to the violence and disorder. Yet our mayor is blaming everyone else.
If gun laws were the answer (as the mayor seems to believe), then Chicago (with some very tight gun restrictions) would be the safest city in America.
I sure hope our mayor stops the blame game and starts spending more time trying to find a way to end the disorder and violence.
The people of Milwaukee are pleading for that, Mr. Mayor.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Another day, another press release. If aldermanic success were measured by press releases, you’d be the Bill Gates of aldermen. By the way, Chicago’s violence is hardly a result of their gun laws but rather it’s close proximity to the state of Indiana…a state full of yahoos like you that allow almost anyone easy access to firearms.
A news conference was far more disturbing than 3 deaths. That makes a lot of sense. And as the Chicago Tribune has pointed out in stories that someone has obviously never read, in droves criminals buy guns in Indiana and bring them back to Chicago, where they are used in countless shootings. How can you lament all this gun violence and simultaneously believe that there is no problem with guns?