One door at a time: Milwaukee police act to ease tension in violent neighborhood
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News got an exclusive look at what Milwaukee police are doing to try to ease tensions in a violent neighborhood. This comes a day after four violent confrontations broke out in just a few hours on Monday, August 18th.
No cameras were called, no news conference. But what happened near 47th and Center on Tuesday was very personal. FOX6 News discovered this effort between Milwaukee police, volunteers and members of the faith community going door-to-door. They were there to build trust, listen to issues, and offer contact numbers to those who live in an area recently scarred by violence.
Tension was high Monday afternoon after a homicide. Violence spilled into the street in the early evening with fights and more police response.
A summer breeze tossed balloons tied to a post to remember the man who died there on Monday. 20-year-old Dominique Hill was shot numerous times in a car. That car came to a stop near 47th and Center as Hill died. A short time later, another man was shot in the same neighborhood. He survived. Police say at another home, police raided a house full of guns.
Milwaukee mayoral candidate and Alderman Bob Donovan criticized Mayor Tom Barrett saying he's not putting more officers on the streets as the mayor promised.
"Sadly, to the best of my knowledge, that simply hasn't occurred. Anyone I talked to within the department doesn't know anything about extra patrols," said Donovan.
On Tuesday, the response to these officers and volunteers on the streets was small. Doors opened a crack to take information on how to contact police and other resources.
Milwaukee police say at this time, there is no suspect in custody in the Hill homicide.
In a statement just released, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn says, "Despite the misleading suppositions of some, placing a police officer on every street corner in every city will not stop crime." The chief says he is using the overtime budget to fight crime.