Candidates for mayor in Milwaukee critical after MPD stops senator's son, running with turkey
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police stopped and questioned the son of a Wisconsin senator on Monday night, December 21st -- and that's now drawing a response from a pair of city officials who are running for mayor.
Alderman Joe Davis and Alderman Bob Donovan are offering criticism following the incident -- but for different reasons.
Alderman Donovan says the decision to stop and question the son of Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) highlights the need to let officers do more.
Alderman Davis says the decision demonstrates why many people in the city, particularly minorities, don't trust the police.
Senator Lena Taylor
Senator Taylor says on Monday night, December 21st, after giving away holiday turkeys, her 16-year-old son Isaiah wanted to give one of the extra turkeys to a neighbor near 15th and Capitol.
When police saw him running down the street with the turkey, Taylor says her son was treated like a suspect.
"'Hey, hey, hey! Stop!' My son stopped and they proceed to come talk to him and immediately start patting him down," Senator Taylor said.
Police confirm officers stopped the teenager.
Lena Taylor's son Isaiah
An MPD spokesman said in a statement police were on a targeted deployment in the neighborhood due to a string of recent robberies.
Alderman Davis says that doesn't excuse the decision to stop Taylor's son.
"If, in fact, the young man fit a description police had based on a call -- absolutely, they were justified -- but a kid that`s in his own neighborhood running with a box in his hand should not automatically be considered a suspect," Davis said.
The incident also prompted some social media commentary from another mayoral candidate.
Alderman Donovan's campaign on Twitter
Alderman Donovan's campaign tweeted: "Thanks to Ed Flynn's policies, one carrying a turkey to a neighbor at Christmas time is treated as more dangerous than a rolling drug house."
Donovan did not return calls from FOX6 News on Wednesday, December 23rd.
A statement from his campaign says the tweets weren't meant to criticize the officers, but rather, the department's pursuit policy, which limits when police can chase suspects who drive off.
Alderman Donovan statement
Davis says the incident speaks to an issue larger than any one policy.
"What we`re seeing and what we`re hearing is that African-American males have been relaying this to most elected officials about the unwarranted stops and the interaction with the Milwaukee Police Department," Davis said.
Police say they have reviewed video of the interview of Taylor's son, which was captured on an officer's body camera.
MPD officials say they have since discussed the matter with Taylor.
FOX6 News has requested additional comment from Taylor -- and comment from the Mayor's Office.
Neither have responded.