Level of city’s snow removal efforts simply unacceptable, and we sympathize with frustrated residents
Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II February 2, 2021
The Department of Public Works’ snow removal efforts in the wake of this past weekend’s snowstorm are simply unacceptable.
Neighborhood streets across the city are a mess, and we are almost 48 hours past the end of the snowfall. Our residents are – AGAIN – fending for themselves as they use their own shovels and snow blowers to dig out from the snow, doing the job that DPW apparently isn’t up to doing!
We have watched our constituents trying to dig out stuck vehicles from unplowed streets so that they can go to work or go get groceries. Our offices have been bombarded with calls and complaints from tired and angry community members who are rightly dismayed by the lack of service.
Also, it is disturbing to see snow removal efforts at a high level in our downtown area while the neighborhoods can barely get a single plow pass. We are frustrated and we share the concerns and frustration of the community.
If you have poor snow removal in your neighborhood, we encourage you to please call us to report it, so we can then ask DPW to step up plowing for you and your neighbors. You can reach us at 414-286-2863 (Alderman Rainey) or 414-286-3771 (Alderman Stamper).
For general updates residents are encouraged to visit www.milwaukee.gov/snow. This link has info on snow emergencies, parking status, how to sign up for alerts, etc.
To request a street be plowed residents can also call 414-286-CITY.
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.
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Agree – this is a real problem in Milwaukee.
Do we know what the real issues are – Not enough equipment? Not enough drivers (too many miles per driver)? Not enough trained drivers? Drivers not completing their routes? Too many vehicles in the way? Other issues?
Also, how many streets, across all the neighborhoods, did each of you actually check to determine that some parts of town are being plowed and other parts are not? Maybe there are some areas where plowing is done really well. Let’s find out what is done there to spread common practice to all areas.
Maybe we should see how other large cities that are successful with their snowplowing, do it successfully.
OBTW – Downtown plowing is never great, though this may have been the best plowing job in some years. Still it is almost impossible for walkers downtown as the plows seem to plow back in, all the sidewalk exits that get shoveled by the locals.