2009 April
In Milwaukee and nationwide, the economy is declining. When it comes to crime, too many people are asking the wrong questions about the impact of the economy on crime. We know that unemployed factory workers don't start snatching purses or break into their neighbor's home.
Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn said back in November at a meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police that the impact of the declining economy would first be seen in stressed families, made more so by financial uncertainty, resulting in increased domestic violence and child abuse.
The first quarter homicide numbers in Milwaukee bear that out and Chief Flynn said today in announcing the data, “We are sounding the alarm.”
The Milwaukee Police Department’s data shows that 41 percent of homicides in 2009 have been due to family violence – either domestic violence or child abuse. That three-month total is more than twice the entire number of family violence-related homicides annually over the past 10 years.
In the entire year of 2008, 15 of 71 homicides were due to family violence – 21 percent. This year, after only three months, that percentage has nearly doubled with 7 of 17 homicides resulting from child abuse or domestic violence.
“I can put cops on the dots where crime occurs but I can’t put them inside homes to deter family violence,” Chief Flynn said. “Public safety is not a spectator sport and we need the community to share resources and to watch out for one another.”
Chief Flynn, a board member of the national group, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, strongly supports parent coaching programs, “because we know children who are maltreated are more likely to commit crimes as adults,” he said.
Mayor Barrett cited many resources for families in crisis and emphasized the need for people to call for assistance when they need to “take a step back before tragedy strikes.”
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Nearly 1,600 fewer people were victims of violent crime in Milwaukee the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2008, according to data released today by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn.
The first quarter crime data clearly shows the continuing decline of major crime in Milwaukee. Highlights include a 20 percent reduction in robbery, a 23 percent reduction in aggravated assault, a 20 percent reduction in burglary, and a 30 percent reduction in auto theft.
“I wanted to announce these numbers in the heart of Milwaukee’s entertainment district,” Chief Flynn said. “I am sending the message to our community that Milwaukee is open for business. This is a safe place for everyone to come to enjoy all that this city has to offer and the Milwaukee Police Department is clearly having a positive effect. Our presence is being felt.”
“Public safety has always been my top priority, and these numbers show that we remain on the right track,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “I’m pleased with the positive trend. I thank Chief Flynn, members of the police department and everyone in the community who has participated in crime reduction and prevention plans.”
Chief Flynn cited the combination of hard work, resource allocation, the Differential Police Response Unit, information sharing between detectives and patrol officers and special investigations set up by the district commanders for the continuing downward trend in violent crime.
The release of the first quarter data comes after Chief Flynn announced a 10 percent reduction in violent crime in Milwaukee in 2008, including a historic reduction in homicides of young African American males.
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Chief Edward Flynn has made a tactical decision to change the Milwaukee Police Department’s armaments in response to what amounts to an arms race with the criminal element.
Seven mass shootings have left 53 people dead since March 10 and it is often the patrol officer who is the first responder to these incidents. Law enforcement has learned many lessons from the tragedy of Columbine. One such response has been that police agencies nationwide are stepping up the types of weapons officers carry so they can respond to active shooter situations that endanger officers and the community’s lives. At the Milwaukee Police Department, officers will now carry rifles instead of the previously used shotguns.
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