MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman made a plea to the community when it comes to youth crime.

What You Need To Know

  • Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman released a letter to the entire community Wednesday, calling for action from everyone, in some way, to get involved in the lives of kids and teens

  • Norman said he believes this is a key to driving down youth crime and violence, which has been escalating in the Milwaukee area

  • Norman said his department remains committed to preventing crime and building bridges in the community. He referenced work the department does with Safe and Sound and the Milwaukee Police Athletic League (MPAL)

  • However, he said he believes there is only so much police can do. He’s urging parents and community members to get more involved

He released a letter Wednesday, calling for action from everyone, in some way, to get involved in the lives of kids and teens. Norman said he believes this is a key to driving down youth crime and violence, which has been escalating in the Milwaukee area.

In his letter, he referenced several recent youth-perpetrated crimes, including an instance where seven teenagers were caught in a stolen car with guns. They were attempting to steal another vehicle.

He also brought up an incident in which a 14-year-old was arrested for robbing a family at gunpoint. He said the 14-year-old then went on to drive recklessly, and hit a motorcyclist, who sustained fatal injuries.

Norman said these crimes have left him frustrated and disappointed.

“We have to make sure we are leaning into this concern and do whatever we can to turn the trajectory of kids having firearms and using them — is unacceptable on so many different levels,” Norman said.

Norman said his department remains committed to preventing crime and building bridges in the community. He referenced work the department does with Safe and Sound and the Milwaukee Police Athletic League (MPAL).

However, he said he believes there is only so much police can do. That's why he’s urging parents and community members to get more involved.

“Be a mentor. Be involved. Whether it’s the mayor’s Camp Rise, or getting involved in a number of different programming, maybe with Safe & Sound," Norman said. "The point is that we can all do something. It’s also a call to action to the parents. What are your kids doing?”

Norman said he believes that’s the only way to make progress and cut down on youth getting involved in the wrong things.

“What are we going to get out of this? Productivity,” Norman said. “A child that will have a future that they are not going to have this unfortunate revolving door going through our criminal justice system. Going through the judiciary. Having those negative things that are going to turn them away from a positive life.”

Norman said a successful future for the city depends on it.

On Thursday, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson addressed the letter from Norman. He said he agrees with what Norman wrote and is interested in exploring ways to hold parents more accountable when their kids commit serious crimes.

“Parents are the ones who can control their kids, who can have more outreach with their kids, who are there with them each and every single day, who are their first teacher. I want parents to be more engaged," Johnson said. "I want parents to be more involved because we can’t be on every block. We can’t be in every single home, but parents can be.”

Read the full letter from Norman below: