Milwaukee Common Council Sets Aside Funds to Put Beat Officers in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

The Milwaukee Common Council on Friday adopted an amended 2017 city budget on Friday that includes funding for a program that focuses on disadvantaged neighborhoods.

According to a release from Alderman Ashanti Hamilton and Alderwoman Milele Coggs, said the overall budget refocuses priorities to improve neighborhood quality of life, boosts public safety using a holistic approach to crime, addresses health concerns about lead and invests in developing a diverse, productive workforce.

Intended to help address systemic disparities in disadvantaged neighborhoods, one amendment re-purposed $472,000 to support the Milwaukee Promise program.

These neighborhoods will have the presence of beat patrol officers from May to October, neighborhood clean-ups, senior citizen homeowner assistance, various job training programs and a high impact service program.