Ald. Bob Donovan on public safety: "Milwaukee needs a fresh start and a new direction"

MILWAUKEE -- Alderman Bob Donovan delivered on Tuesday morning, January 9th an address he called the State of Public Safety in the City of Milwaukee.

"I offer these comments out of a sense of urgency -- and the realization that safety is the one overriding factor inhibiting Milwaukee from reaching its full potential," Donovan said.

The alderman presented a critical look at the Milwaukee Police Department and its most recent leadership. He said constituents resent being told they are statistically better off than they have been in years.

"When did triple digit murders in a city our size become the new normal?" Donovan asked.

Donovan is now urging the following four steps to right what he says are the wrongs as they pertain to public safety in Milwaukee. Those steps include the following:

Donovan said he was a strong supporter of Police Chief Ed Flynn when he first came to Milwaukee. He said for all the good he may have done, he needs to go.

"He has lost the confidence of the rank and file of his department. He has lost the faith of the wide majority of the Common Council. He has clearly alienated the board of fire and police commissioners -- and he has lost the confidence of a growing number of state legislators on both sides of the aisle," Donovan said. "I wish Chief Flynn no ill. I do however believe it is in the best interest in the City of Milwaukee that he move on. When it comes to public safety, Milwaukee needs a fresh start and a new direction."