Nick DeSiato

Committee Marks Up Milwaukee Budget With Amendments, Footnotes

Council raids personnel accounts to pay for services it says constituents demand.

Council Members Skeptical of Employ Milwaukee’s Financial Health

But Mayor's chief of staff says its a rumor that has been "greatly exaggerated."

Officials Admit RNC Issues, But Say Event Was Success

Hotel revenue surged and AT&T spent millions but some businesses say it was a bust.

Coalition Condemns City’s Proposed Protest Routes

See Detailed RNC Street Closures, Demonstration Zones

'The city of Milwaukee is open for busines,' but you're going to want to plan ahead to come Downtown.

How Will Milwaukee Handle Protests At The RNC?

Concerns grow as city hasn’t approved permit for coalition of activists.

Lawsuit Likely Over RNC Free Speech Stage

Committee endorses plan despite concerns from Coalition to March on the RNC.

Biden Promotes ‘Life-Changing Improvements’ in Milwaukee Visit

Speech at Pieper Hillside Boys & Girls Club promotes effort to rebuild 6th Street.

Council Concerned RNC Free Speech Zone Could Bring Extremists, Violence

'To hell with that,' says alderman of hate groups getting city-sanctioned platform.

Proposal Advancing To Give Mayor, Alders 15% Raises

Finance Committee to discuss issue Wednesday. Many city administrators also get raises.

Milwaukee’s Chief Building Inspector Takes New Job

Erica Roberts swaps building code for computer code.

Mayor Johnson Backs Pay Hikes For Elected Officials, Including Him

Raises for 81 employees defended by mayor's chief of staff in exclusive interview.

Local Firm Wants To Buy Northridge From Chinese Owners

But is it just a stall tactic? City thinks so.

City Faces Problems With 911 Call Center?

Millions spent, repeated delays and hours of closed door meetings suggest a problem launching system.

Nick DeSiato Is New Chief of Staff For Mayor Johnson

Jim Bohl will lead city's lobbying team, Kimberly Montgomery is retiring.

Milwaukee Sues Second Reckless Driver

LaShawn Thomas has received 37 traffic citations in five years

Milwaukee Police Have Towed More Than 100 Vehicles Since May For Reckless Driving

New policy targets worst offenders, and it has found a number.

Milwaukee Eighth in Nation for Vehicle Thefts

Two years ago Milwaukee was 66th.

Police Begin Suing Reckless Drivers

MPD files lawsuit against driver with 44 violations, warns 20 more repeat reckless drivers they could be sued.

Milwaukee Police Sending Body Armor To Ukraine

Sister city Irpin will receive donations of disused protective equipment.

New $5,000 Fine For Not Reporting Stolen Guns

Proposal includes a requirement to securely store guns in cars. MPD backing proposal.

What Will Police Buy With Forfeiture Funds?

$1.48 million in seized assets will pay for everything from pole camera to ice cream freezer.

Milwaukee Planning To Eliminate Traffic Crash Deaths

City, led by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, adopts "Vision Zero" policy

Police Officers Lied About Vaccine Status

Two officers lied to take a taxpayer-funded trip, under advice from Lieutenant who retired before discipline could be issued.

Council Members Asking RNC For $6 Million

Milwaukee can't otherwise benefit from convention because of lack of sales or hotel tax.

Summerfest Will Pay Full Cost of Policing For Second Straight Year

After the issue came to a head in 2019, city is being compensated for securing festival.

MPD Temporarily Lost More Than 8,000 Citations

Offenses including speeding, disorderly conduct, assault and battery had no follow-up after ticket issued.

7 Vehicles Towed In 36 Hours Under New City Policy

New police policy part of broader effort to stop reckless driving.

City’s Auto Thefts Up 132% Last Year

10,479 vehicles stolen in 2021, but police department sees hopeful signs in 2022.

City Attorney Halts Plan To Sue Reckless Drivers

Spencer submits last minute opinion saying the proposal is too broad.

MPD Moving To Seize Vehicles Via Court System

Policy would apply to repeat offenders that don't change their driving behavior.

Milwaukee Seen As RNC Favorite

Former Governor Scott Walker leading tour of city today. Taxpayers paying for security.

Milwaukee Poised To Tow Unregistered Vehicles Driven Recklessly

Policy is envisioned as part of reckless driving crackdown.

Milwaukee Could Start Towing Reckless Drivers’ Vehicles

Vehicle would need to be unregistered. But committee can't agree on policy.

City Could Sue Reckless Drivers in Civil Court

Could allow seizure of repeat offenders' cars. But is City Attorney trying to delay civil suits?

Community Policing Commission Off to Slow Start

Community Collaborative Commission sees delays in implementation of new policing procedures.

Half of Milwaukee’s Car Thefts By Children

The 'Kia Boyz' have helped drive 'astronomical' 58% increase in city's car thefts, nearly half by kids 16 and under.

Milwaukee Youth Caught In Middle of Rising Violence

Police, government resources unable to break cycle of violence destroying lives.

Police Department Tweets Lied To Public

Comptroller audit finds 2020 tweets misled public. Acting Chief Norman calls them "unacceptable."

Homicides, Shootings, Auto Thefts All At Record Highs

MPD Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman presents vision of community-centered approach to solving issues.

Committee OK’s ARPA Funding for Ambulances, Reckless Driving and Eviction Prevention

Finance & Personnel Committee recommends spending $14 million of city's $394 million ARPA allocation.

Should Water Street Be Gun-Free District?

Downtown stakeholders consider how Kansas City, Memphis, New Orleans handle bar district problems.

Two-Thirds of All Milwaukee Auto Thefts Are Kia and Hyundai Vehicles

Milwaukee on track for record breaking year, having already eclipsed all of 2020.

Summerfest, City Strike Deal On Police Costs

Costs had climbed to more than $800,000 annually for MPD, but festival paid for little of it.

Unarmed First Responders Task Force now underway

Council Approves Federal Drug Trafficking Grants

Activist asks what success fighting War on Drugs looks like? MPD lists arrests, seizures.

DPW To Test Smart Garbage Truck Technology

Could city fleet be used for reporting potholes and illegal dumping? Maybe.

Troubled Tavern Could Become Veteran’s Housing

Southside-focused real estate firm buying S. 6th St. building.

Council Committee Rejects MPD Request To Be Featured on Crime Show

MPD sees it as public relations improvement. Alderman sees it as "trauma porn."

Coggs Continues to Lead Push for Enhanced Trauma-Informed Care

Alderwoman pushes for standardization in referrals with hopes of preventing future crime.

Council, Mayor Clash Over Police Grant

Nine council members blast Barrett, claiming he's not committed to police reform.

Council Moves To Reject Federal COPS Grant

Means 30 fewer officers, leaving Milwaukee down by 150 officers in 2021.

Council Sets Conditions For COPS Grant

Committee proposes 7 conditions for police department in order for city to accept federal grant.

Committee Approves Over 20 Amendments To Milwaukee Budget

Amendments target violence prevention, housing, lead abatement and more.

City Could Lose 30 More Police Officers

Federal grant rules could mean cutting 30 more than proposed cut of 120 cops.

Federal “Surge” Is At Least 25 Agents

But far smaller than other cities, will not target protesters, says agent in charge.

Milwaukee Federal Agent “Surge” Nothing New?

Different than Portland, continues past help, Chisholm and DeSiato explain.

Should Police Report Every Time They Draw Weapon?

MPD says it's a paperwork burden. Alderman says he's not looking for a Master's thesis.

How Many Fewer Cops With A 10% Cut?

The number is smaller than 375 officers the Police Department claims, but how much smaller?

Council Okays Fines for “Safer at Home” Violators

107 arrests so far by Milwaukee Police; now can issue fines of $500 to enforce state order.

Mixed Results on ACLU Settlement Compliance

Settlement monitor praises commitment by FPC and MPD to getting into compliance.

Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts

Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?

Police Overtime Costs a Budget Problem

Council discusses how to trim annual cost of $17 million. Unfunded service for Summerfest an issue.

4,000 Police Officers Will Guard DNC

Some 150 police departments, 12 fire departments will secure 50,000-person event.

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Milwaukee Losing As Summerfest Safety Costs Grow Quickly

Long-term lease agreement means the city has eaten $4 million in costs since 2011.

City Will Shame Prostitutes’ Customers

Get caught paying for sex? That'll cost you $2,500 and maybe exposure on TV.

MPD Complying With ACLU Settlement

Changes due to suit alleging Milwaukee Police stop-and-frisk policy used racial profiling.

City declares apartment building a public nuisance