'Making a difference:' Leaders tout teamwork as reason for Milwaukee's recent reduction in crime

Leaders tout teamwork as reason for Milwaukee`s recent reduction in crime

MILWAUKEE -- Crime is down in Milwaukee as collaboration goes up. City leaders are now touting teamwork as the reason Milwaukee is seeing a reduction in crime.

Mayor Tom Barrett

In 2015, Mayor Tom Barrett said Milwaukee was considered one of the top ten most dangerous cities in the country. But by 2018, the city dropped to number 18 -- and the number of homicides fell along with it.

"We are here today to announce we have seen a 33 percent reduction in homicides in this city over the past five years," Barrett said.

That is thanks to what city leaders say is a multi-faceted approach.

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales

"That is what's making a difference everyone getting involved knowing we all play a role in violence reduction," said Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales.

From police to the Office of Violence Protection and the Milwaukee Health Department, they are working together with people to tackle these issues.

"There's also a number of topics that impact it such as mental health. intimate partner violence, domestic violence, substance use," said Jeanette Kowalik, Commissioner of Health.

Jeanette Kowalik

Prevention programs have been instrumental along with efforts from organizations like the COA Youth and Family Centers.

"When you have neighborhoods who are deliberately engaging residents and building assets, people take a sense of pride in their neighborhood, they look out for each other they look out for their community," said Tom Schneider.

Schneider said that is holding true in areas like the Amani neighborhood in Milwaukee.

"In the heart of the 53206 ZIP code, in the past 14 years, there's been a 54 percent decrease in crime," Schneider said.

Partnerships are proving to be working.

"An example of one of those community relationships is something called REALationships -- which a group of police officers meet regularly with groups of teens in the Amani neighborhood -- and it breaks down those stereotypes," Scheider said.