What will stop the violence in Milwaukee? Mayor Barrett trying to put people to work

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Despite the plea for peace from city officials during "Ceasefire Week" -- we saw an 11-year-old girl become the victim of violence on Milwaukee streets -- and Ceasefire Week ended Sunday, May 18th with a triple shooting in which two people were killed. On Monday, May 19th, the Black Male Achievement Advisory Committee and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met with those living near 4th and Locust -- because they say they need the help of neighbors to put a stop to the violence.

"We all have a role to play about changing the conditions that exist in this city," 1st District Alderman Ashanti Hamilton said.

Hamilton is the chair of the Black Male Achievement Advisory Committee.

The group on Monday hosted a meeting just blocks away from where a 29-year-old Milwaukee man and an 11-year-old girl were shot and injured on Wednesday, May 14th -- in the middle of Milwaukee's "Ceasefire Week."

"What makes a person so frustrated that they have such a depraved heart that they don`t even care that an 11-year-old is in his crossfire?" Hamilton said.

The goal of Monday's meeting was to delve into the root of the violence problem -- and identify the issues that lead to violence -- while informing the public of the Black Male Achievement Advisory Committee's current efforts.

Residents passionately expressed their concerns to city leaders.

"Without money, I can't pay my bills. Without money, I ain't got no hope. Until we own a part of our community, we are not going to feel like we have to value it,"

Mayor Tom Barrett didn't deny that hard-earned money helps kids stay off the streets.

"I gave Jermaine $20 to clean up the neighborhood on a Saturday three weeks ago. He worked hard for four hours. On the second week, we had six black boys show up to clean up," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett says the city is trying to create jobs. He has said that giving people something to do -- helps to keep them out of trouble.

"We are going to have 25 individuals -- 18 of them central city residents who are going to be assisting our Department of Public Works crews filling potholes and helping with road repairs. Three to four days a week, I am calling businesses -- asking them to contribute to our summer internship program. We are going to try to hire as many kids as we can," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett says the city is trying to find ways to partner with community members to get into foreclosed homes.

He says he understands the urgency -- and encourages those in neighborhoods affected by violence to take action -- and work for change.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan and Mike Crivello -- the head of Milwaukee's Police Association held a news conference on violence in the city on Monday.

They say now is the time for Mayor Barrett and other city leaders to act before the violence gets any worse.

They say the police force is understaffed, and officers are being put in very dangerous situations.

"One man squads responding to incredibly dangerous situations, situations where they may choose to or may have to wait down the block for another officer to come -- why not have that officer in the car? I'll tell you why -- because we don't have enough officers," Crivello said.

Crivello says the Milwaukee Police Department is about 225 officers short of a full department of over 1,800 officers.