After a devastating week of violence in Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett and Acting Police Chief Jeffrey Norman on Monday made one thing clear: Milwaukeeans have to find a way to steer young people away from reckless behavior.
At least 10 people were killed in homicides and three in traffic crashes between April 18 and Sunday, according to law enforcement.
Several of those incidents involved perpetrators and victims in their teens and 20s. And it’s forced officials to sound the alarm about the upcoming summer, where finding youth programming will be pivotal for the city to avoid another historically violent year.
“I’m here today to ask family, neighbors and people across the city to join us in violence reduction,” Barrett said. “It’s also time for very frank discussions with people involved in risky behaviors, as well with people who carry guns. It’s time to call out illogical and thoughtless actions, particularly violence.”