Opportunity Presents Itself to Reimagine Office of Community Wellness and Safety

When the city is faced with an opportunity, it can either rise to the occasion or settle for the status quo. With the latest transition of leadership in the Office of Community Wellness and Safety (OCWS), the city has an opportunity to reimagine the purpose, potential, and structure of this critically important office.

Instead of hastily filling the vacant director role, the city should solicit input from residents and community partners regarding their priorities for the office moving forward. Given the importance of this office to our efforts to increase public safety, and to support healing for residents impacted by violence, it seems like a given that the community should have direct input on how they feel this office could best serve them before a new director is appointed.

I have expressed my frustration with the lack of communication from the Mayor and his administration about the sudden departure of former Director Ashanti Hamilton and their plans to fill the position. Currently, the Mayor has sole appointing authority for this position without Common Council approval. Given the high turnover within the office, second departure of leadership within three years, and critical nature of this office, I will be introducing a measure to have the appointment of OCWS director subject to approval by the Common Council. The work of OCWS affects the entire city, and our residents deserve nothing less than the highest quality candidate.

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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