Ashanti Hamilton, Milwaukee violence prevention lead, to resign

MILWAUKEE - Ashanti Hamilton, director of Milwaukee's Office of Community Wellness and Safety, will resign on Jan. 21. FOX6 News obtained a letter sent to the mayor and other leaders just days earlier, as well as an audit of the office that was completed last year. 

What we know

FOX6 News learned Hamilton's resignation came just two days after a letter was shared with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Common Council members and even state lawmakers.

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In the letter, Uniting Garden Homes Executive Director Desilynn Smith raised issues with the office – not with Hamilton. The letter also included worries of delayed payments for work and broken promises on future contracts.

Back in September, the city completed an audit of the office. It found 21 of 30 sampled payments in 2023 were not processed in a timely manner. In response, the health department said the sampled transactions happened to be larger payments and larger documentation. The department said it implemented changes and 86.9% of payments were paid on time through April 2024.

In August 2022, Hamilton stepped down as an alderman to lead what was then called the Office of Violence Prevention. He replaced Arnitta Holliman, who led the office for 14 months, and called her firing "unprofessional" at the time.

The mayor said, under Hamilton's direction, the office was central to the city's work to reduce crime and violence. After more than two years on the job, his departure comes just after the city wrapped up its second year with a drop in homicides.

What's next

Hamilton will take a job in the private sector. 

The mayor’s office didn’t give a timeline for hiring a replacement, but said Johnson wants to fill the spot "promptly." The Common Council does not confirm the position, but will plan hearings to discuss the office and its work.

What they're saying

Some Common Council members said they wished they would have known sooner.

"Unfortunately, we found out around the same time as everyone else," said Ald. Sharlen Moore.

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"We have had two resignations, two directors who have abruptly resigned, so we want to take this opportunity to figure out how we get someone to stay longer," said Common Council President José Pérez.

The mayor's office said the mayor did not force Hamilton to resign; the decision was Hamilton's to make.

"Moving forward, this is an amazing opportunity for us to think about how we may want to revamp or restructure the office, so that it can be the best it can be to serve all the residents of our city," Moore said.

"For me, what’s the most important part now is to figure out how we move forward and maybe unsure that we have a specialist in this position doing that," Pérez said. "We have an opportunity now to change, and develop and figure out new strategies."

Neither Hamilton nor Johnson were available for interviews on Thursday. However, FOX6 obtained Hamilton's resignation letter and received a statement from the mayor – both of which can be read below.

Official statements

Hamilton's resignation letter:

"Dear Mayor Johnson, 

"I am writing to formally submit my resignation from my position as Director of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety, effective January 21, 2025. 

"During my tenure, I am proud to have led the effort to rebuild this office’s infrastructure and expand the services it provides to our community. As you have often emphasized, violence prevention is a cornerstone of the city’s public safety strategy. I am equally proud of the strong partnerships I have cultivated with community stakeholders, which have fostered trust, enhanced collaboration, and advanced our shared goals.

"It is important to acknowledge the overwhelming support for this work from thousands of residents who have participated in hearings, completed surveys, attended events, and utilized the services provided by this office. Their voices and experiences underscore the significant impact this work has on our community.

"These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional team and your steadfast leadership, for which I am deeply grateful. My time with the Office of Community Wellness and Safety has been profoundly rewarding, both professionally and personally, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such committed colleagues.

"Over the next two weeks, I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I will work with Preston and Steve to provide any assistance necessary and will remain available to support this process in whatever way is most helpful.

"Thank you once again for the privilege of serving the residents of Milwaukee. I look forward to staying connected and wish you and the city continued success in this essential work.

"Sincerely,

"Ashanti Hamilton"

Johnson's statement:

"I appreciate the significant contributions Ashanti has made to city government, both in his current position and in his previous roles as an Alderman and as Milwaukee Common Council President," Mayor Johnson said. "Under his leadership, the Office of Community Wellness and Safety has been central to the city’s efforts to reduce crime and violence. It is impossible to measure the full impact Ashanti and his team have made, but it is clear their intervention and prevention work has stopped fights, reduced firearm injuries, and contributed to the nearly forty-percent reduction in Milwaukee homicides over the past two years. I wish him well in his next professional venture."