A few weeks ago, I attended a luncheon meeting at one of Milwaukee’s Mexican restaurants near National Avenue.
A politico from the area told me he was concerned about an increase in crime in the neighborhoods, escalating even though temperatures had gone below freezing. The restaurant we sat in, one frequented by many city and suburban whites, was suffering from a 30% drop in revenue. People are simply afraid to venture into the area or, if they live there, afraid to come out at night.
The area had its eye blackened again this past weekend when a Miller Brewing Company executive was shot and killed at 2nd and Walker early Saturday morning.
According to jsonline.com, two suspects approached 43-year old Lodewikus "Vic" Milford and three women in a parking lot around 1:10 a.m. Saturday. Milford and the women gave up their valuables, but a suspect still shot Milford after Milford was in his car. His friends survived and have given their stories to police.
Miller Brewing has now offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the suspects.
The near South Side is infested with crime. I grew up there and have blogged about how the Mitchell Street area has literally gone to hell. I still attend church there very Sunday and have friends and family living in the area who I worry about.
Crime is, by far, the most important issue affecting the city of Milwaukee. Hopefully, the new police chief, the Mayor, and other city leaders will embark upon an aggressive campaign to reduce the violent crime that is plaguing Milwaukee. So far, I don’t see it happening.
It’s also time that Wisconsin become the 49th state to enact a conceal-carry law. If Wisconsin had such a law, it’s entirely plausible that those punks, upon seeing Milford and his friends early Saturday morning would have thought twice about confronting them, unsure if one of the four was armed.
The lack of conceal-carry is actually causing deaths in Wisconsin, not preventing them.
