James Methu’s Statement on Public Safety in Milwaukee
“Mayor Barrett seems to only care about addressing the issue of crime in the community around an election.”
“I am calling for the removal of Chief Flynn from his post in order to provide new leadership for the Milwaukee Police Department. I will do what Tom Barrett refuses to do and address the issue of the rising crime in Milwaukee. The current policies amount to a dereliction of duty by both Chief Flynn and Mayor Barrett.”
“Mayor Barrett seems to only care about addressing the issue of crime in the community around an election. His policies do not address the root causes of crime. Instead of being proactive and reaching out to the youth, he chooses to only be reactive in a way that is ineffective. His neglect of certain neighborhoods has allowed crime to spill over into surrounding cities.”
“The appalling increase in auto thefts over the past year has to stop. The no pursuit policy that Chief Flynn and Mayor Barrett have been using has only made the situation worse. The policy allows drug dealers to avoid having to worry about being caught. It allows them to have what amounts to armed, rolling drug houses.” “The policy has led to an increase of drugs and guns and it is related to the nearly 70% increase in the homicide rate in Milwaukee when compared to the number of homicides in 2014.”
“The officers of the Milwaukee Police Department are left with their hands tied behind their back, endangering the safety of all of the citizens in Milwaukee.”
“As mayor I will strengthen a Milwaukee Police Department gang task force and end the no pursuit policy in order to combat these issues. Citizens of Milwaukee should not have to worry about their children being struck by a stray bullet while sitting on their porch or playing outside.”
“As mayor I will reach out to the youth in order to be proactive. I will work to institute more after school programs that will pave a path for kids to be successful academically, putting them on a pathway to a successful future.”
“Mayor Tom Barret’s 12 years in office have left Milwaukee in a worse state than it was in 2004. It’s time for change and a new direction. The citizens of Milwaukee deserve better.”
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.
More about the Pursuit Policy
- MPD investigates a fatal crash - Milwaukee Police Department - Jun 2nd, 2020
- Op Ed: City Should Change Police Pursuit Policy - Jonathan Farris - May 27th, 2019
- In Defense of MPD’s Pursuit Policy - State Rep. Bob Donovan - Apr 25th, 2019
- Murphy’s Law: Are Police Pursuits Out of Control? - Bruce Murphy - Apr 25th, 2019
- City Officials Promote Police Pursuit Policy - Ximena Conde - Jun 26th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Should Cops Do More High Speed Chases? - Bruce Murphy - May 26th, 2017
- Kansas City, KS reverses pursuit policy to address “skyrocketing crime - State Rep. Bob Donovan - May 15th, 2017
- Fire and Police Commission Releases Report on Police Vehicle Pursuits - City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission - May 10th, 2017
- Thirteen Council members demand action from MPD, FPC - State Rep. Bob Donovan - Apr 20th, 2017
- James Methu’s Statement on Public Safety in Milwaukee - James Methu - Jan 25th, 2016
Read more about Pursuit Policy here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by James Methu
James Methu’s Statement on Education in Milwaukee
Feb 2nd, 2016 by James Methu“I call for a focus on early childhood education in order to properly prepare our students for a brighter future.”
James Methu’s Statement on Economic Development in Milwaukee
Jan 27th, 2016 by James Methu“The current regime has diverted community development block grants funds and mismanaged them, not using them properly.”
James Methu’s Statement on Public Safety in Milwaukee
Jan 25th, 2016 by James Methu“Mayor Barrett seems to only care about addressing the issue of crime in the community around an election.”
January 25, 2016
I commend Candidate James Methu for his continuous “hands-on” outreach in leadership, ownership, and stewardship.
I agree with Candidate Methu, Mayor Tom Barrett and Chief Ed Flynn have failed to work with the people for safety prevention and safety intervention during a time of high unemployment, temporary work, low income, two-and-three jobs to make ends meet, lack of housing accommodations, less/cuts in food stamps, closed facilities for wraparound activities and spikes in drugs – Marijuana, pharmacy drugs, Cocaine and Heroin in our area.
Caucasians invoke caution, decency, tolerance, down-on-luck, collaborative resources, medical treatment, problem-solving and being supportive to parents and youth with unacceptable behavior. You only need to look at how Common Council President Michael Murphy took office and immediately called for a Drug Conference in Milwaukee and invited the outline area – the room was filled with Caucasian in a city with 3/4 People of Color and Murphy using reference of “good family”. We must make our neighborhood what it is to be. Things have gone amuck. Parents need assistance. All children need guidance and support. Acting out is not just unique to the African American neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
Yes. We must put the framework at the family, not the police or INCARCERATION. we can BLAME and SHAME. What is the benefit?
We must make punishment on the merits and that includes what each of us adults have put in place for delinquency. Don’t be so quick to render someone else’s child to the throws of DOC/Department of Correction and the steps prior to getting there – If they get there.
Then, there are the irresponsible adults leaving their keys in the car – cars left running.
Children must be disciplined; but, the 21st Century models for control and safety matters offer more than HARDNESS and PUNITIVE measures. We do not see that with Caucasian offsprings.
Employment is first and foremost a MUST for all “parents” that can work.
Jobs for children is desired but last time I checked, the parent is the one that is liable and responsible for the underaged. In other words, summer jobs for students is NOT a cure all – nowhere near.
Luncheons and get togethers are nice and supported but they do not substitute for FAMILY SUPPORTING jobs by Dad and Mom. Family-supporting employment sends the right signal. It can boost morale. It creates HOPE. It helps to provide options of RIGHT rather than WRONG behavior.
If you need to get EMPLOYMENT to pay the father of the Caucasian child, for sure the African-American, other People of Color and Work Challenged parents need it more.
So, when we organize the WAR ON VIOLENCE team – city, county, state, federal; you make a grave mistake when you overlook the 1st order of business, leadership, and guidance from the CORE CONSTITUENTS – PARENTS, THEIR CHILDREN, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, NEIGHBORHOODS and CHURCHES.
It is imperative that the safety prevention and safety intervention model is self-sustaining with programs in the neighborhood being led by the members of the neighborhood, the funding should first circle the wagon of the CORE CONSTITUENTS.
Barrett and Flynn have too often taken a PUNITIVE ROUTE and alienated the People with ‘INSENSITIVE’ statements, talked down/DISRESPECTFUL to the citizenry they are being paid to serve. Flynn has gone as far as to line-up “full patrol” in our neighborhood as a point of strength. Why didn’t Barrett tell him NO. Do you think he would want them to be threatening in Washington area where Barrett and Murphy lives?
Barrett is walking on “thin ice” given his DISRESPECT of the People’s resources – US DOJ grants, Overtime for Milwaukee Police department and other amenities, Federal/State Transportation Department funds, CHEAPER TO KEEP THEM, NBA MEGA BUCKS GREED DEAL, Couture and Moderne Project, Northwestern Mutual, Mandel, Gorman, Manpower building and parking lot, Harley Davidson, Milwaukee 7, MMAC, Greater Milwaukee Committee, University of Wisconsin (Water School, nursing school, Bader Social Work School, Lubar School), Streetcar and on and on. All of these projects have reaped the FEDERAL benefits and tax credits of being tied to the Milwaukee population (3/4 People of Color). My office could provide a very exemplary Safety Matters program Year 2020 and beyond if the People had the funds that they haven given through Involuntary Servitude to these projects.
The title – mayor/executive branch and public relations dictate a high bar for Performance approval on February 16 and April 5, 2016.
We are glad you are out there running for office. We have much to do since NEGLECT has replaced DUE DILIGENCE.
The good news is Candidate James Methu is asking you, the Voter, to try a NEW direction with METHU on February 16 and April 5, 2016.
Wow Mary Glass… you go out of your way to blame the police, the mayor, even the victims… but yet you make excuses for the criminals and their parents. We agree that having a job is among the most important factors to bringing crime rates down, but not punishing the criminals for committing crime is also perpetuating a situation where the criminals believe there are no consequences. Too many juveniles, especially, are getting arrested and getting put right back on the street. It’s time they actually answer for their crimes and how they are affecting their victims.
By the way, if some neighborhoods see increased “full patrols” as a negative, please send those cops to my neighborhood… we don’t see nearly enough officers and the crime has been steadily increasing. We would love to have them.
I AM CONVINCED MARY BECAUSE YOU STAY GROUNDED AND AVOID OVER-THE-TOP RHETORIC.