Operation Payback removes graffiti after recent homicide
Dec 2nd, 2009
Even though two young men have been charged in the shooting death of a 21-year-old during a robbery attempt, the scars will remain in and around the 3200 block of North 21st Street. They shot him in the back and Donte, only 21 years old, died at the scene, which was in front of the home of one of his family members.
These violent acts are incredibly traumatic for people well beyond the immediate scene of the shooting and the victim’s family. It was 5:00 in the afternoon when the homicide took place, Milwaukee’s 65th in 2009. Kids are still coming home from school and dinner is just being set on the table. Residents are returning home from work to find this horrible scene.
Almost immediately memorial and gang graffiti went up on 25 surrounding garages, houses, sidewalks; even the old Moody Pool building was vandalized. This action only further traumatizes residents and families and builds fear of the possibility of retaliation. More intimidation, more shooting, more senseless deaths…
Community Liaison Officer Ray Robakowski who has worked too hard in the area jumped to action. Talibah Mateen of Safe & Sound had organized two block watches nearby and things were going very well with regular meetings and neighborhood walks. They weren’t about to let things slide back to where they had been only a year or two ago.
Numerous police officers, the Community Prosecution Unit, Department of Corrections and Safe & Sound organizers responded by mobilizing the 5th Police District Operation Payback offenders to conduct community service. The Milwaukee anti-graffiti program coordinated contractors with heavy equipment to remove the graffiti on the brick walls of Moody Pool. Although it may be far from over, the graffiti removal by the five hard working offenders and collaborators diminished the scars left by the tragic killing and sent a positive message to all of those living in the area. Residents came out and expressed their gratitude, simply stating “we just want a better life.”
You can also read the Journal Sentinel article for more information:
Two men charged in death of man fleeing robbery
By Sharif Durhams of the Journal Sentinel
