WASHINGTON — Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman will be the first to say one homicide is too many.
“We are better than this,” he said at a press conference last week after a string of shootings.
Norman and other top city officials said everyone has a responsibility when it comes to public safety.
“Let's settle disputes and do it without violence,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson, D-Milwaukee.
The city is expecting about 50,000 visitors for the Republican National Convention in two weeks, when Donald Trump will accept the GOP’s nomination for president. In a closed-door meeting last month with Republicans on Capitol Hill, Trump allegedly called Milwaukee a horrible city because of its crime. He subsequently denied making the remark.
“There are a lot of concerns about crime in Milwaukee, not just by Donald Trump, but by people living in the city of Milwaukee and around there,” said Brian Schimming, the chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, in an interview with CNN in mid-June.
Experts said crime rose during the pandemic, in part because of economic desperation, but that the numbers are falling now that life has largely returned to normal.
“Schools are open, people are getting access to sort of education programs, services, and so on,” said Insha Rahman, the director of Vera Action.
Data from the Milwaukee Police Department shows a significant drop in violent crime, with homicides down 41% during the first six months of the year compared to the same period two years ago. This reflects a trend of violent crime falling nationwide.
“The proof’s in the pudding,” said Norman. “When you look at, in regards to the actual numbers, it doesn't reflect any narrative out there in regards to that there is not good work going on within our city.”
But experts said public perception of crime is not driven by data, but instead by social media, local news coverage, and political speech, and politicians talk about crime, even when it’s down, because it’s historically motivated voters.
“Interpret their discussion of crime as a reason to look into that issue, but do not believe what they're telling you about crime,” said Dr. Jeffrey Butts, Director of the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College. “All politicians across the spectrum will mislead and misuse the issue because they know it works.”
The Milwaukee Police Department is partnering with several federal and local agencies to secure the downtown area for the convention. The federal government has provided $75 million to help the city cover its security costs.