Coordinating Efforts with Police District Crime Reduction Target Areas in Avenues West Sector

Dec 10th, 2008

Efforts with the various district policing strategies are being developed and implemented at each of the seven police districts across Milwaukee. Chief Flynn, almost immediately upon taking office, asked every district to develop a new plan for community policing in a targeted geographic area. Safe & Sound staff worked closely with district police captains to coordinate efforts while focusing community outreach, meetings and events in the target neighborhoods and coordinating them with police department efforts.

In one example, the 5th District Safe Streets coordinators work closely with Safe & Sound to organize collaborative events and meetings, such as block meetings and beautification events, which contribute to a positive and proactive law-enforcement presence in the area. Another 5th District focus area is the 19th and Nash neighborhood. Safe & Sound has coordinated with the district to implement a large resident perceptions street survey, neighborhood meetings, and an anti-crime  and resource awareness outreach effort.

District 3 selected an area along West Wells Street, which has struggled with the issues of prostitution and drug dealing for years. A variety of efforts are being used, such as increased presence of beat officers, prostitution stings, community meetings and anti-crime street events. Safe & Sound has been involved in these efforts in a multitude of ways. For example, Community Partner Rose Pritchett worked with the West End Business Improvement District and the Neighborhood House Safe Place to organize a neighborhood beautification effort. Additionally, Community Partner Annie Weidert conducted a series of resident perception surveys with apartment tenants along Wells street for the 3rd District initiative in coordination with Captain Harpole. Collectively, it is expected that these efforts will lead to a greater awareness of the issues neighborhoods face and an increased willingness and capacity to address them.

The following are radio broadcasts detailing these efforts:

Neighborhood Policing Plans Underway in Milwaukee
By Ann-Elise Henzl
April 11, 2008 | WUWM | Milwaukee, WI

Radio News Broadcast: Two Neighborhoods have New Plan to Fight Crime
By Ann-Elise Henzl, January 17, 2008 – WUWM, Milwaukee, WI

Radio News Broadcast: Neighborhood Policing Plans Underway in Milwaukee
By Ann-Elise Henzl, April 11, 2008 – WUWM, Milwaukee, WI