"I'm watching it live:" Residents frustrated after several recent crimes on south side caught on camera
MILWAUKEE -- Caught in the act -- but not yet locked up. On Milwaukee's near south side, there is a lot of concern about crime -- and several recent incidents have been captured on camera. These incidents are so disturbing, an alderman has called for a meeting with citizens and police.
As residents in communities in the Milwaukee area and across the country gathered on Tuesday evening, August 4th for "National Night Out" events in an effort to stand up against crime and take back their neighborhoods -- on Milwaukee's south side, shootings and car thefts are regularly captured on camera.
A man who lives on the south side tells FOX6 News he sees drug deals, prostitution and more from the window of his home near 25th and Lapham.
He has a video surveillance system that has captured many of the crimes.
Crime on Milwaukee's south side
For his protection, FOX6 News is not identifying him.
He says he's frustrated -- after capturing two men breaking into his van early Monday morning, August 3rd. The video shows the men eventually getting into his van.
The man tells FOX6 News the van was equipped with a "Club" anti-theft device.
In the end, just a few personal items were missing from the van -- but the man says police only came to the scene after he insisted -- and six hours after he discovered the crime.
"We need officers in these areas where there is crime," the man said.
Crime on Milwaukee's south side
The man with the video surveillance system says he regularly shares the video with police -- and says there are just too few resources to combat all the crime.
Video recorded at the end of July shows two men in an alley -- headed towards an apartment. In the distance, shots are fired. Then, there's clear video of a man with a long barreled gun running away, and then, a second man carrying a handgun.
What appears to be a bullet hole can still be seen in an apartment window.
Crime on Milwaukee's south side
"I told them I`m watching it live. Shots were fired. I stayed on with the dispatcher. Police showed up 10 minutes later," the man said.
At the end of June, there was another shooting that was caught on camera.
"It's going to happen again. They're not getting caught. They are going right back," the man said.
Crime on Milwaukee's south side
FOX6 News asked Milwaukee police about all the crime on the city's south side. So far, we haven't heard back.
On Wednesday evening, Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan and Milwaukee Alderman Jose Perez are hosting a community meeting to discuss this issue. That meeting is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Ascension Lutheran Church at 1236 S. Layton Boulevard in Milwaukee.