Murder milestone signals a tipping point
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 19, 2013
Well we’ve outdone ourselves: we’ve surpassed last year’s total number of murders in Milwaukee, and we still have more than 40 days left in 2013.
Worse yet, the murder last evening that put us ahead of last year’s total took the life of a 59-year-old grandmother – and it took place two blocks from my home!
I was told at a town hall meeting last month (which took place shortly after another shooting in the same general area) that the violence was going to continue, and apparently (and unfortunately) that prediction has proven to be true. Honestly, the tension in the neighborhood is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
But the violence and disorder being perpetrated in my neighborhood and in other Milwaukee neighborhoods by a relatively small group of individuals is unacceptable and is NOT the “norm.” It is not acceptable to me and it should never be acceptable to anyone. If this activity was taking place in Brookfield, the National Guard would be called in, and the Governor would be there personally to make sure the disorder was eliminated.
I want to make it clear that I do NOT blame the police; the police are simply doing the best they can with limited resources.
I blame our city fathers for such a short-sighted approach to public safety, and for not filling our vacant police officer positions. Our police department needs additional manpower resources so that an upgraded, consistent police presence can be established. Yet our city fathers have no plan, no strategy for addressing the deadly violence and disorder.
How can we promote our neighborhoods as strong, good places to live when there are bullets flying everywhere? How can we help our beleaguered citizens in these neighborhoods, who are simply trying to make a living and live in peace?
If we don’t come up with a definitive public safety plan for Milwaukee, and if we don’t give our police department the resources necessary to carry out that plan, I believe we will soon lose our neighborhoods.
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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