As Mayor, public safety remains my top priority. Since taking office, I have invested as many resources as possible and implemented a number of strategies to fight crime and make Milwaukee streets safer.

And I've worked together with the U.S. Attorney, the FBI, the District Attorney, the ATF, Milwaukee police, as well as with community organizers, residents, clergy, businesses and social service agencies.

To make our city safer, everyone in our community must come together to make Milwaukee safer and stronger.

Putting More Law Enforcement on Milwaukee's Streets

My budget for 2007 increases the size of the Milwaukee Police Department by 50 officers - creating the highest level of sworn strength the force has had since 1999.  It is my goal to add 50 additional officers to the force next year.

 
These additional officers will greatly enhance the Milwaukee Police Department's ability to put targeted patrols in high-crime areas and improve police response time to calls for service.  At the same time, more officers create heightened visibility and a stronger presence in Milwaukee's neighborhoods.

Last year, I worked closely with the Governor and the State Legislature to secure $750,000 for police overtime so we could put more cops on Milwaukee's streets during the summer months.  I am currently working with leaders in Madison to make this money available again this year.

 
I've also asked for the Wisconsin State Patrol to patrol freeways in Milwaukee County, so that the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department will be available to augment the efforts of the Milwaukee Police Department during the summer months.  A grant from the state could help cover the costs involved, and would increase the number of experienced law enforcement officers patrolling Milwaukee's streets.

Cracking Down on Illegal Guns

To have a significant impact on reducing violent crime in Milwaukee, we must rid our streets of the illegal guns and the thugs who use them.  We need a system where guns are purchased safely and legally, and only by people who meet the requirements of the law.

I am asking the State Legislature to pass responsible gun laws that will prohibit the sale of handguns to anyone under twenty-one and ensure that every handgun sale is subject to a thorough background check.  We need to close the gun show loophole and target illegal gun sales such as straw purchases.

I've also reached out to leaders from across the U.S. to address the proliferation of illegal firearms in American cities.  As one of the founding members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, I am working together with other city leaders to implore Congress to address this critical issue facing Milwaukee and cities all across the country.

Promoting responsible gun ownership and keeping illegal guns out of the hands of teenagers and off the streets of Milwaukee has nothing to do with the Second Amendment.  If you are a hunter or sportsman, I don't want your gun.  This is about saving young lives and futures in Milwaukee.

 
Strengthening Our Community

To successfully fight crime, every member of our community must come together with one shared purpose and focus.

 
In March, I hosted the first Common Ground anti-crime summit.  This forum brought together more than 300 people from every walk of life in Milwaukee to share ideas, listen and make recommendations to fight crime and stop the violence.

 
A safer, stronger Milwaukee begins at home with strong families.  This is an important part of our effort to reduce crime.  Last year, we started the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative.  This comprehensive project is designed to increase the number of children who grow up with responsible, dedicated fathers who are involved in the lives of their sons and daughters.  The City of Milwaukee's first Fatherhood Summit drew more than 1,200 men, and featured workshops to help participants on a wide range of issues - from personal finance to restoration of their driver's licenses to counseling.

Again this year I will be calling for my annual Ceasefire Sabbath, a weekend for clergy across the City to use their pulpit to unite the community against crime and violence on our streets.

 
We are working to build Stronger Communities across Milwaukee.  I've allocated important city resources for a number of efforts aimed at neighborhood improvement, including forgivable loans for qualifying property owners and investors, homeownership opportunities and rigorous code enforcement for nuisance properties and blighted buildings. We've been able to leverage these investments to bolster private dollars and improve neighborhoods across the city.

 
We've continued the Landlord Training Program, a free training class for landlords to show how they can keep illegal activity out of their property.  At the same time the Department of Neighborhood Services runs the Nuisance Abatement Initiative to target and eradicate properties that experience chronic problems and criminal activity.

I'm also using our Community Development Block Grant Program to support anti-crime and community improvement initiatives. And I've directed the Department of Public  Works to target urban decay and clean up vacant lots, streets and alleys.  Addressing neighborhood blight creates a positive atmosphere and improves community pride.

Corrections Officers

In Milwaukee - like most cities in America - the vast majority of crimes are committed by repeat offenders, many of whom have already served time in jail. In a one-month period last summer, almost a quarter of those arrested in the City of Milwaukee were already on parole or probation.  We need to make sure that resources are devoted to keeping tabs on these offenders.

I brought together key officials from the State Department of Corrections and the Milwaukee Police Department to craft a plan to bring additional Corrections Officers to Milwaukee.  We were successful in bringing 13 additional Corrections Officers here to work directly out of police stations to better coordinate information and efforts.  This allows them to more closely monitor the actions of violent offenders and makes them better situated to help those who genuinely hope to put their lives back on track.

Preventing Escalation

Last year, I directed the police department to crack down on cruising and curfew violations, both of which have a negative impact on law-abiding residents and can easily escalate into more violent crime.

 
Since last year, hundreds of citations have been issued.  Additionally, these crackdowns have led Police to arrests for more serious violations such as parole violation and  illegal gun and drug possession.

We are also putting up security cameras in high-crime neighborhoods to monitor behavior. We are sending a message to criminals, we are coming after you with every resource.

Keeping Our Kids Safe

Milwaukee's youth are our future and we must do everything we can to keep them safe and provide them hope for their own futures.   I've led a number of initiatives to do just that.

 
Two years ago, I launched my Summer Youth Jobs Program in an effort to link Milwaukee high school students to jobs in city government, non-profit and the private sector.  This program gives kids valuable skills they need to enter the job market after they finish their education, gives them a chance to earn some money and helps keep them off the streets while school is out.

 
Last year, we put almost 1,000 teenagers in jobs throughout the City.  This year, my goal is to expand the program with more help from private employers and grow jobs to 1,500.

Keeping kids safe in their schools is an important priority.  Schools are a place of learning and socialization and should be a sanctuary for children.  This year, I supported a $500,000 pilot program with the Milwaukee Police and Milwaukee Public Schools to launch a two part mission: assigning police officers to public high schools, and dedicating a patrol squad that responds specifically to incidents in school.  By targeting these resources and fostering relationships between teachers, students and the officers, we can help make every Milwaukee school safe.

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Since becoming Mayor, I have made job creation and economic growth the focal point of my Administration.  Since 2004 - the year I took office - nearly 11,000 new jobs have been created or are in the pipeline for the citizens of Milwaukee.

Consider some of the successes we've enjoyed:

I worked to recruit Captel to open a call center in downtown Milwaukee, creating 600 jobs.  And we partnered with Manpower - a Fortune 100 company - to open its new corporate headquarters in the Park East Corridor.

On the Southside, we worked with Bucyrus International to expand into Milwaukee and create 100 new welding jobs, while on the Northwest side we coordinated with Direct Supply to expand this tech-based company, adding up to 1,500 new jobs over the next few years.

 And in the Menomonee Valley alone, Palermo's Pizza opened its new manufacturing plant this fall, Badger Railing has purchased land to build new infrastructure, Proven Direct has broken ground on a new facility and Caleffi, an Italian firm, will establish its North American headquarters.

At the same time I am proud of the success of my Summer Youth Jobs Program.  This effort gives young people critical job skills and the chance to earn some money while avoiding trouble on the streets.
Last year, we placed 1,000 kids in jobs in a wide range of fields across Milwaukee: city government, private business and faith-based and community organizations.  My goal is to increase participation in the program to 1,500 young people this summer.
 

A New Direction for Workforce Development

These successes tell us that if Milwaukee is to strengthen its economy, our City needs trained workers who can provide the skills local employers are looking for, and provide incentives for businesses to relocate or expand here.

Traditionally, Milwaukee has not pursued an aggressive workforce strategy.  But I felt we had to act -- the stakes are too high, the issue too important.  And we all know the status quo on workforce development hasn't been working.

Transportation

A modern, efficient transportation that connects workers to jobs and unites the community is the hallmark of every successful American city.

Unfortunately in Milwaukee, our transit system has lagged behind the times.  The current system simply fails to efficiently link the key economic centers of the City.  The areas of Milwaukee with the largest concentration of jobs and people far too often experience infrequent bus service, and travel times are simply too long.

Furthermore, despite the fact that 23% of Milwaukeeans do not own a car, the current system has experienced fare increases or route cuts - or in some cases both - in each of the past six years.  And budget estimates show that without a new policy, the bus system will face severe cuts in the near future.

It's time for a change.  That is why I proposed my Comprehensive Transit Strategy for Milwaukee.  Finally utilizing $91.5 million in federal funds set aside for Milwaukee, my plan combines many modes of transportation to connect workers to jobs and unites the entire City.  My vision will create a transit system that meets our City needs and moves us forward.

     
Central Hub

The system revolves around a centrally-located Intermodal Hub where riders can quickly transfer to multiple modes of transportation and service routes.  This transit nerve center will also provide users with all the information they need to get around Milwaukee easily. 

My plan utilizes the downtown Amtrak Station to serve as the Intermodal Hub.  Already undergoing a $15.7 million renovation, this facility is ideally situated to link many modes of transit and connect the City.

Express Bus Routes

Bus Rapid Transit utilizes the latest technology to offer quick, comfortable rides, and has been enormously successful in other cities across the country.  I propose two express bus routes that will modernize and strengthen the current system in the form of the County of Milwaukee Express Transit (COMET) system.

These two routes will connect primary job sectors in the Milwaukee and help people get to jobs.  The East-West route will link UW-Milwaukee, Columbia-St. Mary's, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Downtown, Marquette University, Miller Park, Children's Hospital Froedert, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee County Research Park.

The North-South route will connect General Mitchell Airport, Bay View, Solvay Coke, Downtown, Bronzeville, Fond du Lac Ave, North Avenue, Tower and  Midtown.

Downtown Circulator

Our Downtown is home to 15,000 people and is the chief economic center of our City.  It is also home to many of Milwaukee's most popular attractions, such as the Bradley Center, the Park East, Cathedral Square, our wonderful Lakefront, the Summerfest grounds, the Milwaukee Public Market, the Midwest Airlines Center, to name a few.

That's why my plan includes a rail-based system to connect all of these venues in one easy, efficient system.  The Downtown Circulator will seamlessly interconnect with the rest of our transit system, so visiting Downtown will be easy and convenient for people from all across Milwaukee.

Heavy Rail

Amtrak service between Milwaukee and Chicago is as popular as ever, with more than half a million people using the service last year alone.  My plan would fully integrate this service with buses and rail through the Intermodal Hub.  This transit epicenter would also connect the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter line expansion.  Stronger regional transit helps people find good jobs and helps tourists visit Milwaukee.

Funding

My plan bolsters Milwaukee's transit system without increasing property taxes.  We are able to devote $91.5 million in federal funds to this plan, as well as $10 million already being used for the Amtrak station.  I am proud to put forth a fiscally responsible plan that improves citywide accessibility and links workers to jobs.