Common Ground Launches Southside Safety Campaign

On Sunday, over 800 Common Ground (CG) members packed Serb Hall to launch two new campaigns: (1) Increasing safety on the Southside; and (2) Organizing tenants in private housing.

“How can you grow, build healthy relationships, and enjoy life if you are scared?” asked Fr. Fabián Rodás, pastor of St. Hyacinth and St. Anthony parishes. “We have talked with 1,057 Southsiders. The biggest concern is crime. Even our parishes were broken into this past month.”

“I used to live on 14th and Roger,” said José González, a St. Hyacinth parishioner (in Spanish). “We moved after 5 gunshots from the drug house across the street went through our porch, two walls, and entered my 11-year-old son’s room. I’ve never felt so powerless and scared as a father.”

“I was mugged by 5 large men—one of whom bit my hand; I still have the scar,” shared Anne Rachwal, CG member who lives on the Southside. “And the drug-dealer across the hall in my building poured a gallon of bleach on me when I was gardening, unprovoked. I feel alone, fearful, on-guard, and emotionally blunted.”

CG’s Southside Action Team includes leaders of St. Hyacinth Parish, St. John Paul II Parish, St. Adalbert Parish, People’s Table, NourishMKE, among others. The team surveyed 212 Southsiders about crime. They shared several quotes from the surveys:

• “I do not let my kids outside unless I’m with them.”
• “I like to walk but I don’t want to be robbed. I want to be free to walk where I want.”
• “Police only come for emergencies.”
• “We shouldn’t have to wait 6 hours for a cop to come when we report an incident.”
• “I want to see the police more. I want to feel safe. I want better for my community.”

Common Ground asked several public officials to attend and commit to working with them to address Southside crime. City Attorney Evan Goyke, Common Council President José Pérez, the District Attorney’s Office, and FPC Director Leon Todd did so.

Common Ground also invited Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, who was not present. District 6 Captain Timothy Lietzke was in attendance. After several requests to meet, Chief Norman finally agreed to meet with CG in January—four months after their initial request.

“We want to work with MPD Leadership,” said Gabriela Diéguez, of CG’s Strategy Team. “We appreciate the positive first meeting we had with District 2 Police Captain Erin Mejia. We have a second meeting in December. And we look forward to sitting down with Captain Lietzke in November.”

CG plans to release a Southside Public Safety Plan in the coming months.

Common Ground also launched Tenants United (TU), a non-profit organization of tenants and homeowner allies dedicated to representing tenant interests and holding corporate landlords accountable.

“Despite more than a decade of public discussion about our City’s housing problems,” said Kiante Shields, a TU member, “things are worse today, not better. Rentership is up. Rent prices have soared while income has declined. Out-of-state investors own more and more. Health hazards are widespread. What’s missing from the public discussion is the need to hold landlords accountable! We are going to do that.”

CG and TU announced a first campaign to organize tenants in three Section 8 properties owned by Related Companies, a NYC-based private equity firm. Related Companies was founded by Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and the 126th richest billionaire in the world. Related Companies has nearly 300 tenants in Milwaukee at State Street Apartments (955 N 14th St), Park Bluff Apartments (555 S Layton Blvd), and Park Club Apartments (8243 N 107th St).

“I just moved out of State Street because I wasn’t willing to be cold again this winter,” said Gloria Gant, a former State Street tenant and TU member. “It’s terrible. Mold. Busted plumbing. Abusive management. It feels like a prison. It didn’t used to be that way. Only since Related came. I had to leave.”

“We started organizing so we would be treated with respect,” demanded Gigi Perez, State Street tenant and TU member. “I’m proud to announce that nearly 70% of tenants in our building have officially joined Tenants United! We want Related Companies to recognize our union and negotiate with us in good faith.”

CG and TU asked Related Companies Regional Manager, Cathrine Boerschinger, to meet in November. She agreed. They expect to confirm a date within the next week.

“To tenants and homeowners around Milwaukee,” said Shields, “Join us! Become a member of Tenants United at TenantsUnitedWI.org.”

Logistics: Sunday, October 19, 3:00-4:30 pm at Serb Hall (5101 W Oklahoma Ave).

Doors open 2:15 pm. Mariachi Voces de America will perform before the event.

Contact: Kevin Solomon, CG Senior Associate Organizer

727-667-6329 𑇐 kevin.solomon@commongroundwi.org

Website: CommonGroundWI.org

TenantsUnitedWI.org

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.