Curfew for teens will be more strictly enforced in Milwaukee; "This is not the place where you go to gawk"

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn and Mayor Tom Barrett held a news conference on Monday morning, August 15th to update the public on their handling of the unrest that has been happening in the city's Sherman Park neighborhood.

One of the points driven home by the mayor was that the 10:00 p.m. weekday curfew for teenagers in the City of Milwaukee will be more strictly enforced.

"So parents, after 10:00 p.m., your teenagers better be home or in a place where they are off the streets," Barrett said. "This is not the place where you go to gawk. It is not the place to go to take pictures. It is not the place to go to drive your car around right now."

According to the mayor's office, this curfew means that those persons under the age of 18 shall not congregate, loiter or stand upon public streets, highways, alleys, parks, public buildings, places of public amusement and entertainment, places of employment, places of business, vacant lots, or any public place in the City either on foot, being driven or parked nearby. The penalty for violation of this curfew shall be a fine of not more than $200, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 323.28.

Police Chief Ed Flynn started the news conference recapping the previous night of activity in the Sherman Park neighborhood. Flynn said there were a total of 14 arrests overnight. 11 adult males and three adult females were arrested for disorderly conduct -- all from Milwaukee. There were 30 Shot Spotter activations between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in the area from Center to Keefe and 51st to 20th St. Flynn indicated three police squads were damaged. The Bearcat vehicle was also damaged -- having been struck by two bullets. Flynn said one automobile was set on fire around 1:30 a.m. Flynn also said there were a number of dumpster fires, a couch was set on fire, and a store suffered broken windows.

Flynn indicated seven police officers were hurt, as were four deputies with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. Those officers and deputies were in some cases struck by flying bricks or rocks. Two neighborhood task officers were also hurt. Flynn said the fatal shooting of Sylville Smith on Saturday was a flash point for underlying tensions. He said many people outside the neighborhood are using that for their own agendas.

Chief Flynn said he has an opportunity to meet with some of his officers overnight. He said their spirits are high.

"They say they have a lot of concerns for their public safety, personal safety and for the safety of their colleagues. But they are very much committed to the mission," Flynn said.

Despite all that did happen overnight, Chief Flynn indicated there was progress made in the last 24 hours.

"The community stepped up last night," Flynn said. "Those of you who were out there saw many instances people preaching on street corners, counseling small groups of individuals, a number of individuals spoke at the vigil last night which could have easily been an excuse for some folks to incite. But rather, there were consistent calls for calm discussion and peaceful change."

Mayor Barrett commended the pastors and the community groups that have been involved in keeping the calm over the last day.

"That has had a powerful impact and I am specifically asking the pastors and the community groups to continue to be involved in this effort. By having them as part of this effort is making this situation better than it would otherwise be," Barrett said.

Barrett also commended the professionalism of the officers and deputies who have been on the streets.

"I think every member of this community should be thankful to the members of the Milwaukee Police Department, to the deputy sheriffs who put their lives on the line every day, but certainly were out there over the weekend in very challenging circumstances," Barrett said.

"It's essential for police to maintain discipline and coordination when we are trying to deploy in such a way as to render the streets safe. We recognize in so doing that we make ourselves targets. In some ways we become the focal point," Flynn said. "But better us the focal point than innocent community members or stores being set on fire. So we accept the risk that engaging makes us the target. Okay, we have to rely on our training and our protective gear and our movements to try to keep us safe."

Milwaukee Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton issued this statement:

Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan issued this statement in regards to the curfew enforcement:

Milwaukee Alderman Khalif Rainey issued the following statement on the Milwaukee unrest:

State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D – Milwaukee) issued the following statement on the unrest in Milwaukee: