MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee District Attorney’s office is excited to have a community prosecutor back at the Milwaukee Police Department’s 6th District to better target certain issues on the city’s south side.

Francesco Mineo has been a prosecutor with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for 13 years. Now, he works directly with Milwaukee police as a community prosecutor.
 
“We don’t have the opportunity a lot of the time, unlike what you might see on television, to be out in the community, talking to witnesses, talking to victims, working directly with police and so this is something I’ve always been interested in because I think it gives us that chance to have that interaction and really answer a lot of questions for community members,” said Mineo.

He said he’s been on the job for a week and looks forward to what’s coming next.

“I’ve actually gone out and met with various businesses in the community and we’ve done a walkthrough with a problem property in the community as well and checked out some areas where we have had some issues with homeless people staying so we have been able to get a feel for where those issues are in the district,” he said.

At a press conference on Friday, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman explained this part of the city did not have a community prosecutor for many years.

He said it was thanks to BIDs such as the South 27th St. Business Improvement District, the Gateway to Milwaukee Business Improvement District and the Crisol Corridor Business Improvement District, the funding was there to bring the position back.

“The prosecutor will better assist the police department and the community in addressing repeat offenders, chronic problems and nuisance issues that have a negative effect on the quality of life for those who live, work in the city and the district,” Norman said.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm says this position is not just prosecuting cases.

“They can identify people who are not posing significant risks to people but are habitual nuisances and are often times suffering from mental illnesses, drug addiction and they can tell the people in our system that this person is okay to put in a diversion program, a drug treatment program to get them mental health resources which is equally important as well,” said Chisholm.

For Mineo, this job is about protecting what the south side of Milwaukee holds dear.

“I think it’s a great district and a great part of the city and the hope is that I can come here and assist them with any of the issues they may have to continue to make sure it stays that great place for people to live and stay and raise their families,” said Mineo.

This area will always be special for Mineo because it’s where he grew up, and this position gives him an opportunity to help this community in a unique way.

The only part of the city to not currently have a community prosecutor is District 7.