MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention are working together to keep the Deer District and surrounding areas safe during the Bucks playoffs this weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • Milwaukee looks to improve safety as the playoffs approach

  • The city wants to reduce car break-ins through the "Leave it at Home" campaign 

  • The city is also launching a new ambassadors program 

Several new steps are being taken to improve safety as fans gather downtown.

During the 2022 playoffs, several incidents of violence took place. During the Eastern Conference semifinals, a total of 21 people were injured in three separate shootings in a single night.

The MPD said they are stepping up patrols around the Deer District and surrounding areas this year. At this point, they aren’t revealing specific road closures that will take place around Fiserv Forum.

The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks are also working to reduce the risk of vehicle break-ins during the playoffs.

Friday, Milwaukee Bucks President Peter Feigin and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson introduced the “Leave it at Home” initiative. The campaign urges Deer District visitors to avoid leaving valuables in their cars.

“We strongly encourage not to leave their personal possessions, such as firearms, bags, valuables, in their vehicles,” Feigin said. “Very simple! Leave it at home if you can’t bring it in.”

Feigin and Johnson hope having fewer valuable items in cars will act as a deterrent to would-be thieves.

The Bucks and the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention are also launching a new team of ambassadors to monitor the area around Fiserv Forum.

The 60 ambassadors are made up of teens and young adults. They will wear identifiable jackets and keep an eye on activity around the Deer District. The ambassadors will have radio contact with Fiserv Security in the event they see an issue.

Jalyn Prince will serve as an ambassador. He said he will keep a close eye on activity.

“We will have the communication devices so if we see something is getting a little sketchy or a group who has had a little too much to drink are causing trouble, we can report that,” said Prince.

The ambassador program was created through the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention. The wages for the workers are being paid by the Bucks.

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