Crime On The Rise In South Side
MILWAUKEE — After an alarming increase in crime took hold of Milwaukee’s south side these past few weeks, Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Jose Perez called for a community meeting with police to discuss the seemingly out of control situation.
The meeting was attended by several dozen people who expressed concern about police response and the number of children committing crimes in the south side.
The community meeting was held at Ascension Lutheran Church at 1236 S. Layton Boulevard in Milwaukee.
“This is your meeting and we want to hear from you — and I know the police do as well,” Alderman Bob Donovan said.
The overwhelming complaint from neighbors during the meeting was that it takes too long for police to show up when they dial 911.
Representatives from the Milwaukee Police Department listened to the concerns and took notes as each citizen stood and spoke out — explaining how they’ve faced violence in their neighborhoods.
One area resident, Oscar Montes said police response is a big problem.
“It’s three and a half hours later, four hours later,” he said. “And if we do get a police response, they don’t send a squad. They send cops on bicycles.”
“We have, over the years, decreased significant number of officers and expected far more of them,” Donovan said.
Donovan said the city needs to restore THE JOBS of 300 officers.
Perez said the blame falls on parents reading juvenile crime.
“And the parents don’t know where their kids are,” Perez said. “And I know that’s part of the reason (we) need some personal responsibility to stay on top of our young people.”
