By Tom Barrett
Shortly before Memorial Day, the Milwaukee Police Department launched an unprecedented law enforcement effort to combat crime and reduce violence on Milwaukee’s streets this summer.
This effort, the Neighborhood Safety Initiative (NSI), puts more police resources and officers in the areas of the city where they are most needed, when they are most needed, without compromising safety or police coverage in the rest of the city.
In essence, the NSI creates an additional police district that is nimble, mobile and intelligence-based.
Initial results have been encouraging, particularly the feedback from residents and businesses in the areas where the NSI has had a great presence.
Consider these figures compiled from the launch of the initiative on May 20th through Sunday, June 24th:
• 669 arrests, including known gang members and many on probation and parole
• 54 confiscated firearms
• 83 weapons charges
• 222 drug charges
• 14 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to this time last year
Strengthening police-community relations
In addition to putting greater police force on the streets, these proactive, targeted patrols are placing strong emphasis on building partnerships with city residents and business owners.
Since the implementation of the NSI on May 20th, police have made more than 6,781 citizen contacts and 694 business contacts. These contacts are strengthening the partnership between the community, businesses and the police, and will lead to a safer, stronger Milwaukee.
Focusing on quality of life
The NSI is not just about reducing the number of shootings or homicides, it’s also about improving the quality of life in Milwaukee communities. That’s why the NSI also targets crimes like loitering, cruising, and curfew and parking violations – offenses that create instability in neighborhoods and make residents feel frustrated and unsafe.
The NSI has created success here as well, making it clear that nuisance crimes will not be tolerated:
• 67 curfew violations, including 10 parental responsibility offenses
• 1,033 traffic violations and warnings
• 151 loud music violations
• 111 parking citations
• 20 vehicles towed
• Plus many loitering and public drinking citations
If you want to dispute any traffic violations, you may seek the services of a traffic attorney.
The NSI – An aggressive strategy to make Milwaukee safer
Fighting crime is my top priority, and I’m not interested in slogans, headlines or theories. I care about results. I want the bad guys off the streets and our neighborhoods to be safe.
The Neighborhood Safety Initiative is a valuable tool in the fight against crime, and it sends an important message to the thugs and the criminals: we will not tolerate violence in our city, we are coming after you, and we won’t stop until you are behind bars.
I am proud to support the NSI as a key element in our comprehensive approach to making Milwaukee safer and stronger.
Tom Barrett is the mayor of Milwaukee.
