MILWAUKEE — For the third year in a row, Milwaukee will set a new, all-time record for homicides.
According to data from Milwaukee Police, 193 homicides were reported in 2021. As of Nov. 22, 2022, there are 195 confirmed homicides in the city, so far this year. Numbers from the Milwaukee Homicide and Review Commission showed the majority of the victims and suspects in fatal and non-fatal shootings in 2022 were 18- to 29-year-olds.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman sat down with Spectrum News 1 to talk about the path forward as his department tries to get the violence under control.
"This is no number to be proud of. When we talk about any deaths we're talking about another victim; that is always a loss to our community," Norman said.
The chief pointed out there is still more work to be done with the help of elected officials and MPD's government partners. He called it a "collaborative approach" to addressing Milwaukee's homicide issues.
Norman also singled out mental health; he said it's wreaking havoc on families. He noted MPD is always looking to work with more partners in every community.
"We know we have a lot of partners out there we need to cultivate and work with to encourage further cooperation in the future," he said.
Norman said MPD continues to make what he calls "trust deposits" with the public. The chief said the department doesn't work in a bubble; he said MPD needs information from individuals to help build sustainable, workable neighborhoods.
Some of that outreach to develop trust includes a community policing plan and engagement in all the aldermanic districts.
Norman said the department is getting a good response from citizens.
"Those conversation starters help build relationships, and it's important for us to show outcomes so they know that it's working. And I believe that we are, again, having some really great strides of cultivating relationships," he said.