Just as residents and officials feared, gun violence complaints are rising at Milwaukee County parks as temperatures warm and the areas get more active at night.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office has had to respond to a park both May 5 and 6 following reports of someone with a gun or shots fired.

The Milwaukee Police Department, who is also investigating the May 6 shooting, say two people were shot at Tiefenthaler Park, at North 25th Street and West Galena Street. The victims are ages 20 and 28 and are being treated for injuries at an area hospital, police said. No other information was provided.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the park at about 7:30 p.m. following report of multiple shots fired. The sheriff’s office said Milwaukee police reported 17 shots fired on ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection technology.

Witnesses reported that following the shots, up to six males ran from the park while holding guns, according to the sheriff’s office.

The night prior, deputies responded to Washington Park for fights and a person accused of having a rifle, according to the sheriff’s office.

As deputies arrived, a pursuit ensued with a suspected vehicle, which ended near North 38th Street and West Galena Street.

Milwaukee police were the pursuing agency and made multiple arrests at that residential intersection after many neighbors and family members tried to stop the arrests of the suspects, according to police. Those moments were in-part captured in a viral video shared to Facebook.

In late March, residents gathered at Dineen Park, 6901 W. Vienna Ave., to discuss gun violence at the parks. Dineen Park had been very active at the time, with large groups gatherings typically after hours. A 16-year-old boy and 26-year-old man died following a shooting at the park in March 2024 and a mass shooting killed one and injured nine others last July.

Residents expressed that there aren’t enough patrols for the park, while the sheriff’s office stressed the need for residents to inform officials or law enforcement when they spot illegal or unsafe activity.

“If no one’s calling us, … then we don’t know that it’s going on,” said Brian Barkow, chief deputy with the sheriff’s office. “If you hear gunshots, please call. They can’t get there fast enough. … If there is a large party going on, … I guarantee you will see squads come.”

Residents do have the option to notify the sheriff’s office anonymously, through the sheriff’s office app. Residents who would rather not engage with law enforcement at all, can also contact 414Life, a team of violence interrupters that is housed at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Anyone with any information about either of this week’s incident can also call Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.

The Office of Community Wellness and Safety recommends that residents sign up for the city’s Alert Neighbor Program, where neighbors can fill out an application and once approved, will conduct a safety walk with law enforcement and elected officials, and equipment will be distributed, like cameras and lighting, that increases safety.

Where to find help

Milwaukee’s Office of Community Wellness and Safety recommends these resources for free support:

414Life outreach and conflict mediation support: 414-439-5525.

Milwaukee County’s 24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 414-257-7222.

Milwaukee’s Child Mobile Crisis and Trauma Response Team: 414-257-7621.

National crisis text line: Text HOPELINE to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.