Legislator wants state money to help solve crime issues

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has already announced he's putting forward $500,000 for an increased police overtime budget. Now, he'd like the state to do the same -- and one state lawmaker is beginning that effort.

Targeting those who commit gun violence and putting more police on the streets -- it's all part of a plan to stop the shootings and killings witnessed in Milwaukee in recent weeks.

The proposal being pitched would give the city of Milwaukee $500,000 in state funds to join with the $500,000 of city funds already promised for increased police overtime. Democratic Representative Jon Richards is spearheading the idea.

"It's necessary because we need to give our police department some support when you're dealing with a major uptake in violent crime this summer, the largest increase since 2006, where we have people dying every day almost from gun violence," said Rep. Richards.

A bill would create a partnership between the city of Milwaukee and state for a one-time funding of police overtime.

"We carry a lot of weight for the state in many ways and like any large city we require some resources," said Rep. Richards.

Republican Rep. Robin Vos says he's sympathetic to those affected by violence -- and wants to help curb it. However, he's not convinced the state needs to allocate money to help.

"The police chief and the mayor last year asked every one of the officers in Milwaukee to take a three-day furlough -- as a way to help save money. And now, they're coming to us saying would you give us $500,000 to create an additional pool of money for overtime," said Rep. Vos.

Rep. Vos questions the way the city has dealt with its staffing problems in the past.

"It seems to me just by prudent investment of your resources rather than having people leave straight time in order to achieve some sort of arbitrary goal and then pay them overtime to come back to fill somebody else's shift," said Rep. Vos.

Rep. Vos says he and Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn are scheduling a meeting to talk further.

The mayor's office and police chief did not respond to FOX6 News' request for a comment.