Supervisor Rolland Calls for Renewed Commitment to Housing Services in Response to Recent Tragedy in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Supervisor Shawn Rolland – chairman of the Health Equity, Human Needs & Strategic Planning Committee, which oversees housing policy in Milwaukee County – issued the following statement regarding the tragic shooting of “Jehovah” Samuel Sharpe Jr. by an Ohio officer outside King Park yesterday:
“I agree with the calls of my colleagues for a full investigation into this officer-involved shooting near King Park. I also agree that we should continue to have a community conversation about the way law enforcement and all public servants act when interacting with anyone, especially people of color. But I think there is more to discuss than policing policies. Yesterday’s tragedy began years ago, when Mr. Sharpe, Jr. – reportedly a military veteran – started living on the streets, unhoused in a tent near 14th and Vliet. Despite heroic efforts by the passionate few who serve our unhoused neighbors, our community failed to wrap its arms around this man who reportedly once served as a soldier, keeping our country safe. That’s a failing that all of us – Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Ron Johnson, Tammy Baldwin, Republicans, Democrats and Independents – should resolve to correct. That’s why I’m urging all officials – including our Milwaukee County Board – to renew their commitments to providing homeless services, emergency housing, affordable housing, housing navigators, renter assistance and incentives for landlords who accept people receiving housing assistance from Milwaukee County as tenants. If the Republican National Convention increases the amount of sales tax that Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin collects – as predicted – my hope is that local and state leaders will allocate the bulk of these resources to help uplift people like Mr. Sharpe, Jr. Out of this tragedy, in his name, we should do more to help our neighbors in need to find a safe, accessible and affordable place to call home.”
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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Aug 3rd, 2021 by Sup. Shawn RollandProposed ordinance to “discourage panhandling” will actually create flashpoints between police and neighbors, and harm their ability to secure housing and jobs in the future
