Five shootings in two hours – and it’s only April
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan April 9, 2014
The first warmer day of Milwaukee’s April 2014 – Tuesday, April 8 — will be remembered as having five separate shootings in the span of two hours.
Is this what we can expect to happen regularly this spring and summer? By God I certainly hope not!
It is also noteworthy that many in the news media are at the point of treating such violence in an almost nonchalant fashion, not even identifying shooting locations or other details.
Apparently, that is what happens when shootings and deadly violence are so commonplace. Personally, it is shocking and almost unimaginable that this activity is now part of our city’s daily life.
But it is not out of the realm of possibility, especially when you consider that we’ve not committed the resources necessary to stabilize neighborhoods and to provide adequate public safety. In my opinion, the Barrett administration is simply not committed to hiring enough police officers to patrol our neighborhoods and has not given Chief Flynn the resources he needs to get the job done. The highly-touted 120 or so new officers approved as part of the 2014 city budget will not even put a dent in the MPD’s thinning ranks, especially with the number of current and expected retirements.
Until those resources are brought to bear on Milwaukee’s streets, I believe we will continue to see a steady stream of shootings and deadly violence.
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.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. Bob Donovan
The police force has been declining for years with retirement and early retirement. There has not been a year since 1994 and possibly even earlier that I can remember where the “NEW RECRUITS” were enough to fill the vacant spots of the retiring officers not to mention the ones that are on the disabled list or assigned to “light duty”. Bob Donovan I sure hope you can find the resources to help this city out. Over the years I have lived in several districts on the south side and these problems need to stop. As far as the news goes they used to always inject – was shot but not life threatening – like that is supposed to make it a better shooting…. I would like to hear one of them saying ahhh it’s not that bad after being shot !!!