Dear Mr. Mayor: Stop playing poli-tricks with city residents

I am aware of your recent initiative to inflame the citizens of Milwaukee against the amendment to the 2015 Proposed Executive Budget which passed at committee relating to the elimination of funding for 12 Police Officer recruits from the planned December 2014 recruit class. Your hypocritical position is inconsistent to your previous discussions with me relating to the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) and its rank and file (during the residency debate and the enactment of Act 10). Remember, when the MPA approached you about adding the issue of residency during their collective bargaining, you were arrogant and told them to go and seek state legislation. Well, they did and achieved your request — so quit whining about it. They only did what you told them to do.

If there has been anyone consistent in advocating for the hiring of additional officers, it has been my colleague, Alderman Bob Donovan, whom I respect even when we disagree. But just as we all suspect, you are willing once again to play poli-tricks with the citizens of Milwaukee, and the MPA sees right through your motives. Need I remind you that we just had a State race for the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office, and the winner’s first statement in his acceptance speech was to put all drug dealers on notice.

NEWSFLASH: That means the area where there are the highest disparities of drug convictions and sentencing — the City of Milwaukee’s African American and Latino male populations. SHAME ON YOU!

As a member of the Public Safety Committee, I and my colleagues have requested the reuse of Asset Forfeiture Funds under the Milwaukee Police Department’s jurisdiction. Each time this file comes before the committee, we witness the “wish list” of new items from the department for recommendation. But these funds were obtained from individuals who have created instability in Milwaukee neighborhoods and should be returned back to those areas as a means to support those good citizens who have been impacted by intimidation, gunfire, and families torn apart by tragic events. But you refuse to take a stand on this rational request. Why aren’t you proposing to use these funds in a way to bring on more officers in the impacted areas instead of committing the taxpayers to long term funding commitments which could cost millions of dollars in the future? Quit spending precious resources like a “drunken sailor” and get Milwaukee’s economy moving in a direction for ALL its citizens!

You have lost your Executive Director of the Fire & Police Commission, you were just slapped with a “no confidence” vote in your Police Chief, and you are facing millions of dollars in claims against the Milwaukee Police Department, ranging from in custody death/misconduct in office to illegal strip searches. But you want to add fuel to the flames by being a divisive Mayor using the public to support your dirty work?

SHAME ON YOU!

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.