May 16th, 2009

SOURCE: MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

EXCELLENCE IN POLICE SERVICE

CAPTAIN DONALD J. GAGLIONE
POLICE OFFICER CARLOS FELIX
POLICE OFFICER JESUS GLORIA
POLICE OFFICER MARK F. KROWSKI, JR

In 2007 several people were convicted and sentenced to probation and community service hours for thousands of dollars of graffiti damage throughout the City of Milwaukee. Project Pay Back was officially started on April 3, 2008 and was developed to use people on probation who had required community service, to work removing criminal acts of graffiti. The project was implemented every Thursday when weather permitted. The plan was developed by Captain Donald Gaglione, Safe and Sound Community Partners, Probation/Parole, and Ald. Bob Donovan. While some were painting out graffiti, others would assist in distributing fliers throughout targeted neighborhoods notifying residents that the graffiti in their neighborhood had been painted out and also provided block watch information.

The project expanded to include trash and street cleanups, raking of leaves, and shoveling of snow for the elderly and disabled. By successfully participating in the program, the individuals are offered services by the Safe and Sound Community Partners with the goal of putting them on the right track to improved academic success and gainful employment. The participating members and the organizations they represent demonstrate a creative approach in problem identification and solving, along with teamwork. To date, graffiti has been removed from more than 1,000 locations. Project Pay Back is being evaluated for expansion. How’s that for community-oriented policing?