Dontre Hamilton

See The Three Options to Redesign Red Arrow Park

Key downtown park could get new features designed to increase summer and winter use.

Council Narrowly Approves New Police Contract

Several members raise objections to provisions in and out of the deal.

Who Wants To Redesign Red Arrow Park?

Downtown park on Water St. targeted for redesign to increase its use and accessibility.

MPD’s New Body Cam Release In Effect, But Advocates Still Have Concerns

Police union previously sued to stop policy's implementation.

Chisholm Reflects on Time as Milwaukee’s Top Prosecutor

He has served for 17 years as DA, overseeing turbulent times in city's history.

Ruben Alcantar Will Paint Mural In Black Cat Alley

Artist became well known for his work on 2020 racial justice murals.

How Milwaukee Police Do Cell Phone Surveillance

A log of 227 investigations reveals how MPD phone surveillance works.

Dontre Hamilton Memorial Unveiled

A memorial bench for Black man killed by police officer installed in Red Arrow Park.

Report Backs New State Law On Police Shootings

Prosecute them under civil rights law, argues former Republican US Attorney.

Wisconsin Police Departments Struggle With Officer Retention

City of Milwaukee lost 500 officers to retirement over past five years.

One Year After Jacob Blake Shooting Kenosha Seeks Answers

Still dealing with fallout from police shooting, protests, killing of protestors.

Activists Say Police Reform Bills Not Enough

Elected officials, policing activists say task force bills are not substantive reforms.

People’s Revolution Marks One Year of Marches

Group’s members vow to continue pushing for change.

Bill Would End ‘Municipal Shuffle’ of Police Officers

Legislation by Rep. Moore Omokunde would decertify police officers trying to avoid firing, investigation.

Board Approves Dontre Hamilton Memorial

Memorial bench and plaque in Red Arrow Park to honor man killed by a police officer.

African American Roundtable Pushes For Change

Founded in 2012, advocates for voter education, $15 minimum wage, defunding police.

Dontre Hamilton Memorial Proposed for Red Arrow Park

A Dontre Hamilton Memorial Bench would be installed in the downtown park.

Curfew Tickets During Protests Look Biased

Black residents hit by 64% of curfew violations during Milwaukee’s Spring 2020 protests.

Protesters Rally After Chauvin Verdict

Local activists, members of The People's Revolution celebrate, call for further efforts to achieve justice.

Honoring Limbaugh But Not Black History

Republican legislators back resolution to honor Rush, resist celebrating Black History Month.

Committee Rejects Ann Wilson’s FPC Reappointment

But even if council affirms rejection, Wilson could continue to serve.

Before Picking New Chief, Fix Policing

Milwaukee’s system of policing has been broken for years. We need to rethink it.

How Nate Hamilton Became a Leader

The late Dontre Hamilton's brother takes responsibility for his family and his city.

Kenosha Is Charlottesville

And a country divided by its president cannot stand.

Frank Nitty Leads March from Milwaukee to Washington D.C.

750-mile march ends with Nitty speaking at rally on steps of Lincoln Memorial in front of thousands. Blake, Acevedo, Hamilton families also present.

The George Floyds of Wisconsin

11 Black men, one Latino male killed by police in last decade in state. When will it end?

Riots in Kenosha After Police Shooting

Black man, Jacob Blake shot in the back multiple times; Evers demands action, state probe launched.

Activist Coalition Holds Largest March of DNC

But tensions nearly boiled over when counter-protesters disrupted the demonstration.

Pop-Up Poetry Protest Performs Downtown

Timed for Democratic convention, local poets declaimed the “State of the Union in Stanzas.”

Local Activists Plan DNC Demonstration

They've been holding "banner drops" to support families of victims of police killings.

How To Understand These Historic Protests

These resources will put the nationwide protests in a proper context.

March Honors Ernest Lacy, Died in MPD Custody in 1981

62nd day of marches honor Lacy, who would have turned 62 Tuesday.

Can Police Be Defunded?

Milwaukee spends 125 times more on cops than violence prevention. Chief Morales fights call to change funding priorities.

Citizen Group Unhappy with MPD’s Community-Oriented Policing

Community Collaborative Commission says MPD's latest report falls short of recommendations.

The Tale of Two Milwaukees

Oft-used phrase helps explain the disinvestment in Black neighborhoods.

New Mural Honors Milwaukee Activists

Mural depicts Frank Nitty, Tommy Franecki, Vaun Mayes, Markasa Tucker and others.

Board Passes Racial Equity Proposal

A response to calls for police reform aimed at courts, sheriff's office, transit system.

Milwaukee Mothers Rally For Racial Justice

“I need this country to be better for my children.”

Protests Spur a Wave of Public Art

Murals and chalk art become a growing presence as marchers fill streets.

Council Okays Planning for 10% Police Cut

Requires city budget office to model what cut would look like, in time for fall budget debate.

Harambee Area Gets Breonna Taylor Mural

Two artists that worked on the George Floyd mural painted this one on Locust and Holton.

Chief’s Crucifixion Message Panned by Council

13 members sign letter urging Morales: stop chiding protesters and listen to their message.

Thousands March While Attorney In Custody For Spitting In Protester’s Face

Giannis and other Bucks players show up at one of seven marches.

Nate Hamilton Joins the March

Film About Milwaukee Police Killing Dontre Hamilton is Free this Week

Filmmaker removes fees to watch award-winning documentary.

Artists Paint George Floyd Memorial on Riverwest-Harambee Border

Mural at the corner of N. Holton Street and E. North Avenue honors victims of police killings.

Evers Calls For Action to Dismantle ‘Systemic Racism’

Governor says, "We must use this dark moment to begin to be an example for the rest of the nation."

Many Milwaukee Leaders Support Protests

Community leaders, politicians release statements, Common Council calls for Milwaukee Police reforms.

Peaceful March Ends at 3 a.m. Near Capitol Dr.

March goes over 15 miles, including through Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Glendale, before ending back in Milwaukee.

Fourth Night of Protest Begins Peacefully

“We are peaceful, we are peaceful,” the protesters shouted.

Protesters Stop at Red Arrow Park

Protesters stop at the site where Dontre Hamilton was killed by police officer Chris Manney on April 30, 2014. pic.twitter.com/HN7YK8Jtis — Graham Kilmer (@grahamkilmer) June 2, 2020

Jimmy Harris’s Long Struggle for Justice

Pulled over by police and beaten, he filed and won — finally — a civil rights lawsuit.

2 Police Brutality Settlements Before the City

Council could approve $260,000 in settlements Tuesday.

The Lessons of Baltimore

A city falling apart, its police department dysfunctonal. Can Milwaukee learn from this?

Questions Surround Vaun Mayes’ Arrest

Charged with plot to firebomb police, Mayes is a dedicated community worker, supporters say.

5 Citizens To Give Sincere Thanks

Our Thanksgiving class of 2018, five Milwaukeeans who've made this a better city.

Will Settlement Change Police Practices?

Community leaders hope ACLU suit’s settlement will improve cops’ interactions with minorities.

A Call for Police Reforms

Community members cite Sterling Brown incident, demanding MPD reforms.

Police Video Gets National Attention

Police confrontation with Bucks player gets national headlines, raises troubling questions.

Stop-and-Frisk Suit Could Cost $6 Million

Council members struggle with the rising price tag. Will they approve settlement?

ACLU Study Finds Racism By Police

About half of all traffic and pedestrian stops failed to show "reasonable suspicion.”

The Mystery of Flynn Vs. Regan

Is the police chief or Fire & Police boss guilty of official misconduct?

Ed Flynn Looks Back — And Ahead

The Common Council, he says, was a “little like middle school.”

Community Groups Want Say On Police Chief

In search for new chief, pushing for a candidate committed to community relations.

22% of City Workers Live in Suburbs

Nearly 1,000 workers have left city since state ended residency rule.

Town Hall Meetings Discuss Police Reforms

Fire and Police Commission seeks community responses to federal study of Milwaukee Police.

How a Great Documentary Was Made

Milwaukee Film Fest favorite explores the shooting of Dontre Hamilton. How was it made?

5 Films to See at Milwaukee Film Festival

Don't miss these 5 films, including one that will hit particularly close to home.

Local Leaders Demand Clarke’s Removal

Legislators, community leaders call on Gov. Walker to remove sheriff from office.

Sparks Fly Over Hamilton Settlement

Council approves $2.3 million settlement, but black aldermen debate Donovan.

Safe Zones Project Sees Success

Community policing helped homicides, shootings decline in two neighborhoods.

Mixed Reactions to Charges in Sylville Smith’s Killing

DA charges officer Heaggan-Brown. Family and community demand video's release.

Learning From Cincinnati’s Police Reform

Can its collaborative, community-oriented approach be a model for Milwaukee?

Sylville Smith Probe Looks Suspicious

AG Brad Schimel’s links to Milwaukee Police raise questions about his investigation.

City’s “Second-Class Citizens” Are Frustrated

As Ald. Rainey has argued, racism led to violent uprising.

Racism Led to Violent Weekend, Residents Say

Poverty, segregation, racial profiling by police all led to explosion, they note.

Can Chisholm Be Beaten?

The DA pleads for help as dark money from outside the county blasts him.

Black Residents Talk About Police Misconduct

Demands for accountability at listening session of county Office of African American Affairs.

Crowd Gathers for Justice, Better Policing

Two years after Dontre Hamilton’s death, his family and supporters march to demand changes.

Will Murphy Lose Council Presidency?

Race could be wide open and Ashanti Hamilton might have surprising supporters.

Youth Tell DOJ About Police Abuse

Department of Justice listening sessions here suggest Milwaukee has problems.

Did Democratic Debate Help Milwaukee?

And did Clinton or Sanders win? Morning-after reflections.

Critics Demand Federal Probe of Police Department

Huge turnout at listening session, many call for civil rights investigation of MPD's "patterns and practices."

County Will Allow Politics in Parks

“Bizarre” ban on political activity had restricted free speech for more than a decade.

Nate Hamilton Still Fighting for Justice

Brother of Dontre Hamilton, who was killed by a cop, has created the Coalition for Justice.

GOP Circus Puts Spotlight on Milwaukee

Protestors protested as Republican presidential candidates debated. So who won?

MaryNell Regan on the Hot Seat

New head of embattled Fire & Police Commission wants to allow more community input into its decisions.

26 Films From Best to Worst

Update of my ranking of all films seen. Audiences, I confess, didn't necessarily agree.

Sheriff Clarke Should Drop the Act

He's become the vehicle for dog-whistle narratives that Fox anchors would never dare utter themselves.

The Fallacy of Black-on-Black Crime

83% of white murders are committed by whites, so why doesn't that get similar discussion?

Million Mom March to DC

Local mothers joining march to demand justice for those killed by police or white vigilantes.

Does “Broken Windows” Theory Hurt Milwaukee?

Police Chief Ed Flynn is one of the foremost practitioners of aggressive policing getting national criticism.

Who Is Funding the Anti-Streetcar Effort?

Ald. Bauman and others are certain that dark money is pouring in for this, which streetcar opponents deny.

Why I Was Arrested

As police stake out an expected protest, a reporter gets arrested. Was the arrest justified?

Chisholm Decision Triggers Controversy

DA decides not to charge officer who killed mentally ill man, leaving community divided over issue.

The Ed Flynn Factor

Politico Magazine concludes Milwaukee is an innovator in policing. Why? Chief Flynn’s leadership.

The Modest Ranch Home of Ald. Joe Davis

The mayoral candidate lives in the Hampton Heights neighborhood where assessments have declined and crime has risen. Small wonder he's concerned about that issue.

Cops in Shootings Should Be Promptly Named

Police Chief Flynn waited more than five months to identify officer who shot Dontre Hamilton. The public deserves better.