Chief Flynn’s gun violence comments disappointing
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan August 28, 2015
During an appearance yesterday at Marquette University, Police Chief Edward Flynn made comments that I believe shift the blame for Milwaukee’s record homicide rate from the police department and the Barrett Administration to federal prosecutors.
I believe his comments also seek to minimize the impact of Milwaukee’s deadly violence and crime on the lives of our citizens. I hear from residents on a daily basis who are greatly (and negatively) affected by the crime and violence, but apparently the chief – and the mayor – don’t want to pay much mind to their pleas for help.
In my opinion the impact of our homicide rate on our city, our citizens and our neighborhoods is outrageous! A gentleman said to my yesterday, “Alderman, this is no way to live – hitting the living room floor every other night to dodge the bullets.”
And just yesterday in my district, a woman was carjacked at gunpoint while unloading her groceries. I can’t imagine how her life has been forever affected by such a crime!
Milwaukee’s homicide rate is up 82% from last year! Sorry chief, but you just can’t hide from that statistic.
How do other cities fair in terms of homicide rate increase over last year?
- Baltimore – up 60%
- Nashville and St. Louis – up 50%
- Kansas City – up 31%
- New Orleans – up 29%
- Washington, D.C. – up 26%
- Detroit – up 25%
So we’re 57 points higher than Detroit, folks. Sad.
Instead of downplaying our homicide crisis, I ask the chief and the mayor to come up with a plan to protect our citizens and bring it to an end.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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