

One strategy is called the “wave,” where enforcement increases for short periods of time in targeted areas.Īctivists working to move away from heavy policing of Milwaukee’s Black communities expressed concern when calls for more police began to focus around Milwaukee Public Schools.

The unit focuses on high-visibility, saturation enforcement strategies. Over the last year the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) has continued developing its Traffic Safety Unit (TSU). To address the issue, both Barrett and Johnson have suggested that increasing in law enforcement is a key solution. Much of the conversation has been focused on reckless driving and traffic deaths on Milwaukee’s predominately African American North Side. Last year, traffic-related deaths reached a record high across Milwaukee County. No one was injured as a result of the incident at James Madison High but elected and law enforcement officials have increasingly focused on reckless driving in Milwaukee. “It’s only a matter of time before those sorts of actions result in somebody’s unnecessary death,” Johnson said. Video captured of the incident shows a car driving onto a sidewalk toward a group of students. Johnson’s comments came in early October, after a reckless driving incident at James Madison High School. Some community organizers fear the city’s dependence on police-based strategies to deal with social problems will continue.

As the city hashes out its proposed budget, Johnson is poised to succeed Mayor Tom Barrett. Johnson proposed increasing the police presence around schools in the hope of curbing reckless driving incidents. Recent comments made by Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson sent a wave of concern through parts of the city’s activist community. Photo by Highway Patrol Images / ( CC BY)
