Statement on rampant gun violence in Milwaukee
Alderman Peter Burgelis June 27, 2024
Yesterday and overnight FIFTEEN people were shot across the city of Milwaukee. Eleven non-fatal-shootings and one homicide. Four of those victims were the result of a mass shooting incident in my southwest side district. In my district, gun violence is rare but just as unacceptable there as it should be anywhere in our city. The cowards who fired dozens of rounds into a vehicle full of children need to be brought to justice before more harm is done to anyone else. No family in any neighborhood should have to endure the pain that this family has experienced. This would have ended much differently if it were not for good Samaritans, first responders, and the life-saving efforts of our local hospitals. These injuries impact entire families and entire neighborhoods. No resident should fear for their lives driving down our streets — whether it’s from a reckless driver or a coward with a gun.
As often happens with these incidents, we hear silence from elected leaders. Well you won’t hear silence from me. I committed to being a voice not only for my district but for residents across the City of Milwaukee. Silence is consent and I do not consent to innocent lives being taken by this preventable public health crisis. Just this week, the U.S. Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis. This declaration is welcome but long overdue! Since 2020, gun violence has become the leading cause of death of children in America. Although some will tout that homicides are down this year, the shooting of children and youth remains significantly high. The death of even one child to gun violence is unconscionable. We cannot stand for this in our country and I’m damn sure we won’t stand for it in our city!
I applaud efforts throughout our community that are working to prevent and reduce gun violence, while acknowledging we need to do more. I have been and will continue to be committed to supporting those efforts. We also need to ensure that the legal system is doing everything to hold individuals accountable for reckless driving and gun violence in our city.
Milwaukee deserves to continue to thrive without the constant threat of violence, and I am committed to supporting meaningful change to protect every resident.
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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