Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Housing Authority names interim secretary-executive director, deputy director to resign
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A leadership change is underway at the embattled Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM).
On Thursday, HACM announced the appointment of an interim secretary-executive director and the resignation of its deputy director, who has been with the organization since 2009.
Kenneth Barbeau will serve as the interim secretary-executive director, effective Jan. 2, 2025, HACM announced in an emailed press release late Thursday night, Dec. 19.
The secretary-executive director is responsible for HACM’s operations and reports to the Board of Commissioners.
What to know about Kenneth Barbeau:
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM)
- Barbeau has been with HACM since 1999, serving most recently as the chief operating officer of program services.
- In his current role, he oversees a broad portfolio of public housing resident services, including programs focused on employment, education, healthcare, senior and disabled services, financial literacy, and more, according to HACM’s website.
- He also provides oversight for HACM’s Section 8 program and public safety department.
The release also highlighted the resignation of Deputy Director Fernando Aniban, effective Feb. 21, 2024.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Aniban had previously served as the Chief Financial Officer since October 2009, where he led the strategic management process for the agency and “implemented policies, systems, and procedures that strengthened internal controls and ensured accurate and timely financial reporting,” according to HACM’s website.He was later named Assistant Secretary- Deputy Director in May 2022.
The announcement of Aniban’s resignation follows a federal reviewof HACM, made public on Dec. 11. The report stated that HACM is not providing high-quality public housing, inaccurately reporting financial information, and may not be in compliance with federal and state regulations.
The review also stated the agency submitted “material misstatements,” including a variance of more than $2 million in an unreconciled account.
HACM has not provided a reason for Aniban’s resignation.
The announcements also came just two weeks after current Executive Director Willie Hines, who has faced scrutiny, announced he would step down at the end of this year. His resignation will be effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hines is set to receive $11,000/month for the rest of his life.
TMJ4 News
But will a transition in leadership result in meaningful improvements for those HACM serves? For two years, people living in Milwaukee’s public housing have been vocal about deplorable living conditions in properties citywide.
Those conditions include infestations of rats and cockroaches, reports of black mold, bed bugs, intrusions, and inadequate heating in some apartments, forcing some residents to rely on space heaters or use their ovens for warmth. For the last year and a half, TMJ4’s Jenna Rae has been reporting extensively on these issues.
TMJ4 News
The announcement of leadership changes also comes the same week TMJ4’s Jenna Rae reported on emails obtained by the station showing that Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s team has been facilitating media responses for HACM. This comes amid Rae’s continued investigations into HACM residents’ living conditions, the agency’s practices, and the transparency of the city’s leadership.
WATCH: INVESTIGATION: Mayor’s office involvement in Housing Authority leadership
INVESTIGATION: Mayor’s office involvement in Housing Authority leadership
Meanwhile, HACM’s new board members echoed their previous statements committing to provide greater transparency.
“As commissioners, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, affordable housing and enhancing the quality of life for our residents across the City of Milwaukee,” said Charlotte Hayslett, Chair of the HACM Board of Commissioners in the emailed press release Thursday. “That includes ensuring a smooth transition of leadership as we search for a new Secretary-Executive Director.”
Whether the changes in leadership will result in meaningful improvements for residents in 2025 remains to be seen.
TMJ4 News is committed to elevating the voices of those living in public housing. Email Jenna.Rae@tmj4.com.
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee police chase, 15-year-old driver arrested
Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee police arrested a 15-year-old boy after a pursuit across the city’s north side Wednesday night.
What they’re saying:
The chase started around 9:20 p.m. MPD said officers saw a vehicle that was wanted in an armed robbery and tried to stop it near 33rd and Locust, but the driver took off.
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The chase ended roughly two miles away near 29th and Roosevelt, where the driver got out and ran. MPD said the suspect’s vehicle continued to roll and collided with another vehicle. Officers ultimately caught the 15-year-old and took him into custody.
What’s next:
Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
The Source: FOX6 News requested information from the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested
Milwaukee Police Department
MILWAUKEE – One person was taken to the hospital after a stabbing in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, Jan. 7.
What we know:
According to Milwaukee police, a 26-year-old was stabbed around 7 p.m. near 40th and McKinley.
Milwaukee police arrested a suspect on the scene.
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What you can do:
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car
MILWAUKEE – A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of fleeing police during an arrest attempt. An officer who was present to make the arrest ended up being trapped in the backseat of the defendant’s vehicle during an attempt to flee law enforcement. The accused is Kewane Daniels – and he faces the following criminal counts:
- First-degree recklessly endangering safety
- False imprisonment
- Operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer
- Second-degree recklessly endangering safety
Property taken, arrest attempt
What we know:
According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police reported to the Comfort Suites near 118th and Silver Spring after a caller indicated that “property had been taken from her by the defendant,” the complaint says. The caller indicated location data alerted her that the property was in the hotel parking lot. Daniels also had two warrants for his arrest.
The caller reached out to Daniels to come outside and meet her. Law enforcement were going to assist with arresting Daniels and getting the property back.
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The complaint indicates Daniels approached his car, and an officer followed and positioned himself behind an open rear door. He “drew his service weapon knowing that Daniels was reported to frequently be armed,” the complaint says. The officer ordered Daniels not to place the car in drive, but the complaint says Daniels ignored the orders and “accelerated in reverse in an attempt to flee (the officer).”
Arresting officer trapped in defendant’s vehicle
Dig deeper:
The officer, who was now being forced to back pedal, “realized he could not keep up with the quickly reversing vehicle, and feared he may be overtaken and crushed beneath the auto. (The officer) stated that he had to jump into the open rear passenger’s seat in order to escape the possibility of being knocked down beneath the oncoming vehicle’s door and tires,” the complaint says.
The defendant quickly accelerated out of the hotel parking lot with the officer in the rear seat. The officer “continually ordered him to stop the car,” the complaint says. The officer stated, “Daniels fled at a high rate of speed near 90 mph east on W. Silver Spring Drive while losing control and mounting the curb several times,” the complaint says. During this entire incident, the officer said he “kept his service weapon aimed at Daniels while in the back seat. Due to the speeds and reckless driving, (the officer) could not exit the vehicle,” the complaint says.
The court filing says the officer having his firearm pointed had no effect on Daniels pulling over the vehicle. Later, he put his weapon away to try and convince Daniels that he was not in danger and to pull over the vehicle. Instead, the defendant continued fleeing and driving recklessly, the complaint says.
Defendant bails, car crashes
What we know:
Near 92nd and Birch Avenue in Milwaukee, the complaint says, “Daniels opened the driver’s door and abandoned the vehicle which was still moving at approximately 35 mph.” The officer remained trapped in the rear passenger seat of the driverless vehicle which “came to a stop when it mounted the curb, continued into a front yard, and eventually crashed into a tree,” the complaint says. It is noted that Daniels’ vehicle had the child locks engaged, so the officer was unable to exit the vehicle on his own.
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Officers in other squads quickly located Daniels. The complaint indicates the defendant was “missing footwear in extremely frigid temperatures.” His footwear was recovered in a grassy area near where he was taken into custody.
What’s next:
Online court records indicate Daniels is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and the criminal complaint associated with this case.
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