With so much violence, CAN Milwaukee have a safe summer? City leaders hope so

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The topic of crime prevention is top of mind across the city. On the south side, city leaders are joining forces to promote a peaceful summer.

The "Summer Safety" event was planned well-before recent violence erupted in the city. Many times, summer in the city means violence in the streets.

"I see more people in the streets, crime seems to go up," said Eric Diaz, neighbor. "I think the heat is getting to people."

For the last couple of weeks, neighbors across Milwaukee have seen it play out in the news.

"It makes me kind of sick. It wasn't like this when I was younger," said Patricia Mocbeicagl.

Neighbors are also witnessing crime in their own neighborhoods.

"Just the other day, I got home and I heard gunshot like two blocks away from my house," said Diaz.

That's why they came together on Thursday, May 22nd -- to show this summer will be safe.

"I'm just thinking to myself what's going on?" said Diaz.

The South Side Organizing Committee brought a roomful of neighbors face-to-face with city leaders -- to open up dialogue.

"You tell me what your needs are, instead of me telling you what I think you need in your neighborhood," said Sheriff David Clarke, MCSO.

It was a room full of people who are fed up, and working for change.

"We communicate with one another. We identify what the problems are and then we try to deal with them before they spin out of control," said Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.

Sheriff Clarke says it gets frustrating at times, to see these things happen over and over and over again, but the community can't give up.

A big message from the meeting: Let law enforcement officials know what the problems are. Don't be afraid to come forward.