It seems hardly a day goes by without news of violence and unrest in Milwaukee’s downtown entertainment districts like Water Street. And while the Common Council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson have received plenty of heat and ridicule for addressing these problems by cutting food truck hours, officials may soon start exploring a more extreme option.
At a meeting of the Public Works Committee on Wednesday, a resolution was passed “relating to the development of a plan to create security zones on public rights-of way in areas designated as entertainment districts.” Though the resolution mentions “security screening, check points, and other controls as deemed necessary,” it is strictly a first-step, exploratory measure.
“This file basically directs various departments to put together a plan so we can see what that would look like,” said file sponsor Alderman Bob Bauman. “What type of equipment would be involved? Who would operate this perimeter? Would it be Milwaukee Police? Would it be contractors? Equally important, who would pay for this? What would be the cost? What are the pros and cons? Would it be effective? Would it be ineffective? There’s just been general discussion up to this point, but no one’s actually gotten down to any specific details.”
Bauman said he expected the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Wellness and Safety to be involved, along with private stakeholders like the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The resolution states that the two departments “shall present their findings to the Common Council within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution.”
“The violence on Water Street is very, very concerning,” Bauman said. “If the perception takes hold that Downtown is somehow unsafe and dangerous, that perception will be very difficult to dislodge. That could have significant economic impact on the viability of downtown.”
Bauman continued: “I don’t know that I even support a security zone concept, but we should at least know what we’re talking about when we discuss the concept of a security zone. The decision to implement would be at a later date, after substantial public input and input from all the different stakeholders.”
Before passing the resolution, Committee Chair Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs stressed that the recent focus on Downtown did not mean officials were neglecting other neighborhoods.
“I want residents to know that though much attention has been paid to recent activities in Downtown and on Water Street, that we do care about the safety and security of every neighborhood,” Coggs said. “I don’t ever want people to feel like we’re paying more attention and more concern about Downtown or the businesses downtown than we are for the very neighborhoods that people reside in. I think this is just one tool to look at entertainment districts, and I think we deal with, vote on, and debate about other tools for neighborhoods every single day.”
The resolution still needs approval from the full Common Council and Mayor Johnson. Here’s the text:
Title
Resolution relating to the development of a plan to create security zones on public rights-of way in areas designated as entertainment districts.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Wellness and Safety and urges the Milwaukee Police Department to develop a plan to create security zones on public rights-of way in areas designated as entertainment districts.
Body
Whereas, Community members, local institutions, and city departments have identified violent crime in entertainment districts as a particular cause for concern; and
Whereas, The presence of violence and disorder in entertainment districts creates unacceptable safety risks to people visiting them, and limits their potential to provide economic and social benefits to the city; and
Whereas, The establishment of security zones in areas designated as entertainment districts can reduce the risk of future incidents and make these districts safer and more attractive to residents and visitors; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Wellness and Safety are directed to develop a plan to create security zones on public rights-of-way in areas designated as entertainment districts; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the plan shall include security screening, check points, and other controls as deemed necessary; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the security zone plan shall include cost estimates for the purchase, installation, and operation of each security zone; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Police Department is urged to work with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Wellness and Safety on this plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, that the Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Wellness and Safety shall present their findings to the Common Council within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution.
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