The head of the Milwaukee Police Department is being scolded by both city officials and the police union over a controversial four-point plan he offered residents last month.
Police Chief Edward Flynn outlined his "Four Ways Not To Get Shot in Milwaukee" during a kickoff breakfast for Mayor Tom Barrett's annual "Ceasefire Sabbath" on May 12 and has found himself under pressure over the comments ever since, according to WITI-TV.
At the event, Flynn said that to avoid being shot, a person must follow for rules: 1) Don't belong to a gang; 2) Don't be a drug dealer; 3) Don't carry an "illegal" gun; and 4) Assure you're not going up against someone that has a worse arrest record than yours.
During a meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council's Public Safety Committee on Monday, Alderwoman Milele Coggs grilled the chief over his comments and said that they weren't appropriate.
Alderman Mark Borkowski echoed his displeasure and said We'll see if you get three-and-a-half more years."
In response to Flynn's comments in May, the Milwaukee Police Association released the following statement:
Chief Flynn's four point plan "how not to get shot in Milwaukee" insults business owners and citizens alike; while at the same time demoralizes those that pledge to protect. Our professional Police Officers, Forensic Investigators & Detectives are empathetic and compassionate to all victims -- our citizens deserve to know, that should they fall prey to the criminal element, a civilized society shall react appropriately, render the proper aid and investigation as warranted. To protect and serve, not to judge, demoralize or minimize the family of a victim -- Mr. Flynn, think about what you've said. Innocent families have been changed forever through the action of unknown assailants.
Flynn suggests 1) don't belong to a gang, 2) don't be a drug dealer, 3) don't carry an "illegal" gun, and 4) assure you're not going up against someone that has a worse record than yours. That is his plan for not getting shot in Milwaukee. Really?
Reading it, I can't believe it.
I say, apologize immediately to our community. Apologize to the families of the babies, beautiful children and innocent adults (all perished through no fault of their own) -- most certainly not members of gangs, associates of/or drug dealers, or in possession of a gun -- all that are impacted are not evil. All are children of God. Can someone of civic leader stature please stand up to this man -- please!
The Milwaukee Homicide Review Committee actually concluded: "Develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce non-fatal shootings in Milwaukee." Read that clearly -- the MHRC just recommended to the Chief of Police to develop a strategy that one could only hope would have already been long under way. After all, we just concluded a year that delivered 145 homicides and 633 non-fatal shootings.
- Mike Crivello, Milwaukee Police Association
