Public Safety

My top priority is to make our city safer and stronger.  

In our fight against crime we will need more police resources and a stronger relationship among clergy, community and law enforcement.  And we absolutely HAVE to get the illegal guns and the criminals who use them off our streets.

MORE RESOURCES:

Last year I added the largest increase to the police budget in more than a decade.  Our Police budget of $214 million now equals 97% of the property tax levy.

Working with the Common Council, we funded 50 additional officers and community service officer programs that will put even more police back out on the street fighting crime.   All this will provide the Milwaukee Police Department with the largest strength of force since 2000.  I want to add another 50 in 2008 – a total of 100 new officers.  Just as I have always done, I will keep my promise to hold the line on property taxes in 2007.

We are cracking down on curfew violations and cruising.  I sought and received more corrections officers from the state to keep tabs on repeat violent offenders.  This summer we began an unprecedented law enforcement effort to reduce crime during the summer.  Click here to read more about the Neighborhood Safety Initiative.

Earlier this year, I went to Washington DC to urge federal lawmakers to again fund the successful Community Oriented Policing (COPS program. Research has shown this program to be highly effective at giving local communities the resources they need to put more police on the streets.  Click here to read a study on the program. Homeland security is important, but it's time for the federal government to again put the focus on hometown security.  Click here to read a copy of my testimony before the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus.

MORE COLLABORATION:

I am proud of the collaborative efforts I have initiated.  The U.S. Attorney and his staff, the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Milwaukee Police Department and our new District Attorney are true partners in the fight against gangs and illegal guns.

We have the community organizers working door-to-door throughout many neighborhoods.  And this year I launched Common Ground, an ongoing effort to link people in our neighborhoods with resources and each other to make our streets stronger. 

Churches and community groups throughout the City are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our residents. Organizations like CYD, Project Ujima, Harambe, United Community Center and the Latino Community Center and countless others all do great work.

I need every resident, ever business owners, every clergy member to join me in this fight against crime.  Let's meet our challenges head on, just as Milwaukee has always done.

GET ILLEGAL GUNS OFF THE STREETS:

Last year we took more than 2400 guns off the streets. As of May 2007 we've taken more than 1000 guns off the streets, a 29% increase over that time last year. I've said it before and I will say it again -- Illegal guns and the thugs who use them have no place in our community. 

I want to know where the illegal guns are coming from, get those guns out of our neighborhoods and keep criminals from firing them at potential victims.   I want responsible gun laws that work with us, not against us.  I want laws that prohibit the sale of handguns to anyone under the age of 21.  I want every handgun sale subject to a background check, no matter where it occurs.  

This is about saving young lives and futures in Milwaukee.  I need all of you to join in this fight.  We need to put a stop to the easy access criminals have to illegal guns.