Today’s shooting of a City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services employee, is an unthinkable and inexcusable act of violence. The Greater Milwaukee Committee sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends, the City of Milwaukee family, and others who have been effected by violence.

After 33 years of service, at the age of 64, his life was met with an incredibly tragic ending. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Violence is, and should be, seen as a public health issue. As we continue to strive for a safer Milwaukee through Safe MKE, and project created in partnership with the Office of Violence Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Northwestern Mutual, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, 371 Production and the Prevention Institute, we ask that all people take time to reflect on the situation and how we can work together to build a safer, violence free Milwaukee.

As a member of the Steering Committee for the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), we are looking at a large systems approach to violence prevention in a year that will more than likely see record breaking numbers of homicides and other violent crimes.

We hope you are on board and will be involved in our efforts to make Milwaukee a safer community.

Sincerely,

Julia Taylor President Greater Milwaukee Committee