"She knocked me to my knees:" Woman fears for her life, worries about crime in her neighborhood

MILWAUKEE -- She won't show her face because she fears retribution. But a woman who lives on Milwaukee's south side says she has to speak out. She was the victim of an assault -- and says more residents should go public about crime happening in their neighborhoods.

The woman is in her 50s and says she was beaten up by a young woman at a gas station on S. 16th Street.

"And I walked out the door and next thing I know, I'm getting hit from behind and punched at least 10 or 12 times. She knocked me to my knees," said the woman.

It's an act of violence the woman believes is happening more throughout Milwaukee's south side neighborhoods.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn



Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn spoke to that point at a meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council's Public Safety Committee earlier this week.

"We're concerned whenever there is an increase of violence anywhere," said Flynn. "What the south side has going for it, is strong, mobilized communities that know how to access their aldermen and know how to watch over their public spaces."

That is exactly what the woman wants to echo.



"Milwaukee Southsiderz is a website that is on Facebook and there are a lot of people that voice their opinions on everything from robberies to crimes to attacks," said the woman.

The woman says if people see something, they should document it -- because it could be useful in preventing crime or finding those responsible when it is committed.

"We invite them to stay organized and involved and work with their district commanders so we can continue to get a handle on this -- because we've got good witnesses south side. We make good arrests on the south side," Flynn said.