Chief Flynn’s gun violence comments disappointing
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan August 28, 2015
During an appearance yesterday at Marquette University, Police Chief Edward Flynn made comments that I believe shift the blame for Milwaukee’s record homicide rate from the police department and the Barrett Administration to federal prosecutors.
I believe his comments also seek to minimize the impact of Milwaukee’s deadly violence and crime on the lives of our citizens. I hear from residents on a daily basis who are greatly (and negatively) affected by the crime and violence, but apparently the chief – and the mayor – don’t want to pay much mind to their pleas for help.
In my opinion the impact of our homicide rate on our city, our citizens and our neighborhoods is outrageous! A gentleman said to my yesterday, “Alderman, this is no way to live – hitting the living room floor every other night to dodge the bullets.”
And just yesterday in my district, a woman was carjacked at gunpoint while unloading her groceries. I can’t imagine how her life has been forever affected by such a crime!
Milwaukee’s homicide rate is up 82% from last year! Sorry chief, but you just can’t hide from that statistic.
How do other cities fair in terms of homicide rate increase over last year?
- Baltimore – up 60%
- Nashville and St. Louis – up 50%
- Kansas City – up 31%
- New Orleans – up 29%
- Washington, D.C. – up 26%
- Detroit – up 25%
So we’re 57 points higher than Detroit, folks. Sad.
Instead of downplaying our homicide crisis, I ask the chief and the mayor to come up with a plan to protect our citizens and bring it to an end.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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