Leaders hope for change in south side neighborhood following shooting

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After a fatal shooting near Futuristic Lounge over the weekend, residents on Milwaukee's south side, near 18th and Greenfield are looking to make the neighborhood a better place.

Milwaukee police are investigating the double shooting on the city's south side that occurred early Sunday, February 3rd. One man is dead and another wounded.

Police found 21-year-old Jordin Crawley fatally shot in the head. The second victim, a 23-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and is in stable condition.

Those who live in the area say they want the community to be known for its diversity and potential, but crime like this weekend's fatal shooting mar that image.

Esther Ferrer lives next door to the Futuristic Lounge, and plans to oppose any future bars in the area because of past instances of disorderly behavior.

This is an issue Alderman Jose Perez plans to combat as well.

"We`re all engaged to prevent things like this from happening again," Perez said.

Perez is proposing some new restrictions -- like labeling a problem location a chronic nuisance property so they can do business, but getting a liquor license would be difficult.

"It`s a great place to live we`re not going to let incidents like this slow us down or hold us back," Perez said.

On Tuesday, a "Clarke Square Initiative" meeting was held. The group wants to better the quality of life on the south side, and is reintroducing its plan with the help of city leaders and faith-based representatives.

"Go out and talk to people and give them every opportunity for a better quality of life. Whether its spirituality a job, whether it`s someone to talk to an opportunity  for their kids, food, whatever it may be," Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative Executive Director Ramon Candelaria said.

The group believes change starts with engaging those in the community.

"We have a our challenges but we also have our hope and we`re looking for people, voices to be a part of this make it better," Perez said.

Tuesday's strategy meeting was just one of many the group plans to hold. They focus on public safety, economic development, housing and job creation, among many other things.

To get involved, call Tyna Rule (CSNI Council President) at (414) 627-2887 or Ramon Candelaria (CSNI Executive Director) at (414) 795-8334.