Sylville Smith

Plea Agreement Reached On Long-Pending Sherman Park Unrest Charges Involving Vaun Mayes

Mayes pleads guilty to one charge, prosecutors to recommend no jail time.

Wisconsin is Now Midwest Leader In Deadly Police Encounters

A sudden surge follows a period where Wisconsin had lowest-in-the-nation rate. What changed?

Chisholm Reflects on Time as Milwaukee’s Top Prosecutor

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

Federal Trial Hears Charge of ‘Unlawful’ Arrest in 2016 by Milwaukee Police

Lawsuit charges ACLU legal observer and (then) state Rep. Brostoff wrongfully arrested.

Early Voting Push Underway For Spring Primary

Early voting runs through Saturday.

Here’s Where to Find or Donate School Supplies

More than a dozen events this month offering free or reduced cost school supplies.

Sheriff Has a Busy Drone Unit

While county faces massive budget deficit, sheriff has 8-man unit doing surveillance of peaceful protests.

Sherman Phoenix Foundation Leader Takes Charge

Stacia Thompson a change agent with an ‘entrepreneurial mindset.’

Community Policing Commission Off to Slow Start

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

Wisconsin Police Departments Struggle With Officer Retention

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

Kenosha Unrest Used to Push New Rioting Laws

Republican bill creates new legal definition of riot, and a new felony charge for rioting.

Supervisor Coggs-Jones Statement on One-Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder

Reggie Moore’s Calling Has Always Been His Community

The former director of the Office of Violence Prevention is still working for a safer Milwaukee.

Curfew Tickets During Protests Look Biased

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

Adapting to Life During a Pandemic

One year in, five Wisconsinites talk about how they got through a tumultuous year.

Honoring Limbaugh But Not Black History

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

Local Black History You Should Know

Including Marvin Pratt, Heal the Hood and the Young, Black & Opinionated podcast.

Before Picking New Chief, Fix Policing

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

Sterling Brown Payout Still Being Debated

Council committee meets for two hours, can't decide whether to accept the settlement.

Bucks Player, City Reach $750,000 Settlement

City admits police violated Sterling Brown's constitutional rights in notorious incident.

Almost Half of Budget Amendments Are Policy Footnotes

Footnotes call for a racial equity audit, benches in vacant lots, lead-safe property database and much more.

City Attorney OKs $4 Million Settlement with Sylville Smith Family

Smith was killed by a Milwaukee Police Office in 2016, igniting unrest in Sherman Park.

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?

BLOC Statement on the shooting of Jacob Blake

Statement from the Milwaukee Bucks

Riots in Kenosha After Police Shooting

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

Gov. Evers Releases Statement on Kenosha Shooting

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March Honors Ernest Lacy, Died in MPD Custody in 1981

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

Resolution requiring MPD members to issue business cards to be before the Council

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.

Activists Clean Up Around Burned House As Questions Remain

Activists want more from police, police want cooperation from community

Only time will tell if a new day is dawning in Milwaukee

Statement from Alderman Khalif J. Rainey June 22, 2020

Community Activists Discuss Police Reforms

Everything from cutting funds from police budgets to community control over public safety.

Peaceful March Sees Signs of Solidarity

As march traverses city's west side and Wauwatosa it's met with support.

Chief’s Crucifixion Message Panned by Council

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

Police, Mayor, Hospital Workers March to Sherman Park

March is markedly different from larger marches that have circled city.

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."

Father of Sylville Smith peaks at the march

Could Floyd’s Killing Lead to State Reform?

Evers calls for long-delayed bill on deadly use of force by police to be taken up by Legislature.

Gov. Evers: We Must Confront Society’s Comfort with Racism

Activist Blasts Those Committing Violence

But protest leader Vaun Mayes also criticizes church leaders, other march organizers.

In Milwaukee we need reforms and better communication, accountability

Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson June 1, 2020

Gov. Evers Releases Statement on Death of George Floyd

Sherman Phoenix Needs Help to ‘Rise Again’

To rise again, the Sherman Phoenix and its 27 businesses need your help.

Jimmy Harris’s Long Struggle for Justice

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

New Charges Against Activist Vaun Mayes

Community organizer says he's being targeted as a "Black Identity Extremist.”

Community Outpouring Over City Budget

Dozens of residents object to nearly half of budget paying for police.

Sherman Park Still “Warm and Welcoming”

Three years after the unrest, residents talk about their diverse neighborhood.

Police-Community Relations Better in Sherman Park?

Three years after unrest there’s more cops present, residents say, but still a lack of trust.

Three Years Later, Sherman Park Rising?

Key issues to consider three years after the 2016 upheaval shook the neighborhood.

ACLU sues Milwaukee Police Department for unconstitutional conduct during Sherman Park demonstrations

“The Milwaukee Police Department has demonstrated its custom of using excessive force to disperse people peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights, and our clients suffered real harm as a result of that policy.”

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.

Police Relations in Sherman Park Still An Issue

Capt. Willie Murphy of District 7 is working to rebuild trust in the neighborhood.

ACLU Organizer Targets Police Practices

Jarrett English, who grew up in Sherman Park, led effort to sue police for racial disparities.

Can Sherman Park Attract More Business?

$4 million conversion of bank into Sherman Phoenix aims to attract businesses, investors.

Vaun Mayes Released Pending Trial

Sherman Park activist accused of attempting to firebomb police station.

Arrest Near 51st and Capitol Raises Questions

The man’s violent struggle with multiple police officers during the arrest was captured on video by several witnesses, and it is very difficult to watch

More Good News for the Sherman Phoenix

New project in Sherman Park gains another grant. Abele predicts success.

Rep. Bowen statement on passage of AB 606

Bill forces city to keep discharged officers facing criminal charges on payroll

22% of City Workers Live in Suburbs

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

Jesus Comes to Milwaukee

Production of Langston Hughes’ gospel song play ‘Black Nativity’ set in city’s Park West neighborhood.

Where’s the Change in Sherman Park?

Not much has improved since 2016 disturbances. The buck stops with Mayor Barrett.

Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot

Tracing the neighborhood’s German, Jewish and African American heritage.

Beyond Sherman Park

Community takes stock of central city a year after unrest. Discussion to air on PBS Aug. 10

A Call For Proactive Community-based Violence Prevention

In 2017, there have been 66 homicides in Milwaukee.

US Rep. Moore Reintroduces Bill to Prevent Violent Altercations Between Police & Civilians

"As summer begins and temperatures rise, as do tensions between communities and the law enforcement officials sworn to protect them."

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Black Caucus’ Statement On Verdict In Heaggan-Brown Trial

"The Black Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin supports the calls for peace, requested by the family of Sylville Smith."

Black Leaders React to Smith Verdict

Calling for peace after acquittal of officer who shot Sylville Smith.

Rep. Bowen: Statement on verdict in Heaggan-Brown trial

“The second shot was clearly unjustified on video with Mr. Smith on his back with his hands in clear view."

Sen. LaTonya Johnson Statement on Verdict in Fatal Shooting of Sylville Smith

"Today, I urge Milwaukee to support Sylville’s family by remembering his life through peaceful, non-violent acts that strengthen our community."

New Bank for Sherman Park

BMO Harris "smart branch" will replace bank damaged in August unrest.

Sherman Park Residents Bash Station Owner

Some favor rebuild of gas station. But many point to longtime problems.

Portraits of 28 Zip Codes

ZIP MKE photography show has hundreds of portraits, people in every zip code.

Public’s Trust Abused on Police Videos

Flynn, Barrett gave misleading statements on Sylville Smith video, yet it still hasn’t been released.

Mixed Reactions to Charges in Sylville Smith’s Killing

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

Charges against former officer Heaggan-Brown are the right call

December 15, 2016 Statement of Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

A step forward for justice in the shooting death of Sylville Smith

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey December 15, 2016

Statement on homicide charges against Sylville Smith shooter

"Today's announcement that charges have been brought on Sylville Smith's shooter is an important step toward justice for Sylville, his family and friends, and a community that mourns his death."

Can Non-Profits Make a Difference?

They've grown locally from 824 to 2,333 since 1989. Expert urges focus on social change.

Learning From Cincinnati’s Police Reform

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

Eastsider, Scene of the Crime?

Tiny historic tavern is where police officer drank with patron he allegedly later raped.

Public Must See Police Shooting Videos

There’s no reason to delay release of videos of killings of Jay Anderson in Wauwatosa, Sylville Smith in Milwaukee.

More Police Is Not the Answer

Better trained police — and spending on services for under-served neighborhoods — is a better approach.

Joint letter to DA John Chisholm

Joint letter from members of the Common Council to District Attorney Chisholm

Release of Sylville Smith police video needed to bring peace to Sherman Park

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey October 28, 2016

Time for DA to release the video footage of MPD fatal shooting

Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy October 28, 2016

Sylville Smith’s Killer Charged With Sex Assault

Officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown's fatal shooting of Smith had set off near-riot in city.

Citizens Condemn Proposal for More Cops

Different practices, not more police needed, community groups tell aldermen at city hearing.

New Grassroots Organization Launches Photographic Experiment in Milwaukee

ZIP MKE Plans to Crowdsource Photos From All 27 Zip Codes

Ald. Coggs introduces file to generate discussion of Sylville Smith case

The death of Mr. Smith, 23, sparked civil unrest and prompted an emergency curfew order for those under age 18.

Brostoff Arrest Raises Questions

State rep says police focus must change; Police say Ald. Rainey asked them to be there.

Did State Create Jobs in Sherman Park?

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp says 483 jobs created, critics say it's zero.

Is Sherman Park Still Burning?

Yes, but not in the way you might think.

State Rep. David Bowen & State Rep. Evan Goyke Call on the United States Department of Justice to Take Over the Investigation into the Shooting of Sylville Smith

“It is crucial that trust be restored to the relationship between the public and law enforcement,” said Rep. David Bowen

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.

MPD and DA must vigorously pursue charges following threats to officer

Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan August 17, 2016

Statement from ACLU of Wisconsin on Sherman Park Incidents, Calls for Immediate Release of Video Footage

"The ACLU of Wisconsin urges local leaders to heed the cries for solace, help, and change from residents, young and old."