© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Project Milwaukee: In-depth reporting on vital issues in the region.

Police-Community Relations On Display At Monthly Crime And Safety Meeting

Marti Mikkelson
Police Captain Alex Ramirez presents crime statistics at a recent meeting

This week, we’re examining police-community relations, as part of our seriesProject Milwaukee: To Protect and Serve. The relationship is sometimes tense. But, there are examples of the police and community working together to solve problems.

I stopped at the monthly crime and safety meeting on Milwaukee's near south side last week. More than 100 people who live in the neighborhood filed in to the Mitchell Street Library to take their seats.

District 2 Police Captain Alex Ramirez called the meeting to order. Then, he announced that a surprise guest is in the house – Interim Police Chief Alfonso Morales. He was appointed by the Fire and Police commission last month to replace Chief Edward Flynn, who retired. Morales reiterated a promise he made the night he was named to the post – to rebuild trust between police and the people they serve.

“We’re going to do the best we can to engage with the community here,” Morales said.

Morales was on familiar territory in the largely Latino neighborhood – he was District 2 captain before he was appointed interim chief. He promised to take the passion he has for the district to all neighborhoods in the city.

» Find all of the Project Milwaukee: To Protect And Serve reports here.

Next up, was a presentation from another new law enforcement leader, Milwaukee County Interim Sheriff Richard Schmidt. Gov. Walker appointed him to replace David Clarke, who left in August. Schmidt assured the audience that his deputies will treat them with respect – he referred to the lack of trust that some undocumented immigrants may have of law enforcement.

“You call us when you need help. Nobody’s going to come into your house and say listen, I want to check if you’re a U.S. citizen first before we take care of you and help you. That’s abominable and that’s not going to happen,” Schmidt said.

Interim Sheriff Schmidt acknowledged that it may take time for the community to trust the sheriff’s department in the wake of David Clarke’s departure. Clarke was eager to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Credit Marti Mikkelson
A packed house at a District 2 crime and safety meeting.

After Schmidt’s presentation, he took questions from the audience about their safety concerns. One man told him he sees a lot of reckless, and potentially deadly, driving in his neighborhood: “I live in a school zone and almost every day I see speeding in a school zone. What can we do about that?”

Schmidt replied, "This is a huge issue, so the Chief and I and the state patrol and the DOT have agreed that we’ll be teaming up in short order and we’re going after this stuff.”

Schmidt told the man that communication and collaboration between law enforcement and residents – such as what was in evidence at the community meeting – is the key to an improved relationship.

After the interim sheriff's time at the mic, District 2 Police Captain Ramirez gave a presentation on crime statistics for the neighborhood. He told the crowd, there was good news to share.

“Let me just talk about overall crime in District 2, compared to last year, we’re down six percent. What does that mean? It means District 2 is safer, but there’s always a lot of work to do,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez added that while overall crime is down, car thefts and incidents of domestic violence are up in the district. And he said prostitution remains a nagging issue.

Credit Marti Mikkelson
District 2 Police Captain Alex Ramirez talking with a resident after the meeting.

Many people mingled after the meeting, including Angeles Rodriguez. She said she’s concerned about drug houses and thefts in her neighborhood. But, she said she’s noticed a better police response now, than when Police Chief Edward Flynn was in charge. Rodriguez said she sees more officers out, engaging with people.

“Before, they don’t talk with the community. They don’t talk face to face. Now it’s more accessible,” Rodriguez said.

A steady stream of people lined up to voice their concerns to Captain Ramirez. Many were worried about reckless driving -- as well as burglaries in the district. Ramirez said often, he follows up by investigating complaints himself – especially those regarding nuisance properties or drug houses.

“When I hear about a place along Greenfield Avenue, I’ll personally go check,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez echoed what Interim Sheriff Schmidt said – about the importance of law enforcement working closely with residents and business owners to address concerns. He said this spring, one of his projects will be to improve rental properties that have fallen into disrepair.

Ramirez plans to work with community groups and lead neighborhood walk-throughs, inspecting rental properties and enforcing stricter enforcement of city codes.

_

Marti was a reporter with WUWM from 1999 to 2021.
Related Content