Milwaukee, WI
Community groups call for Housing Authority leaders to step down following report from federal inspectors
MILWAUKEE — Community organizers are calling for the director and board at the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) to step down after a report from federal inspectors shows the agency is “at risk for serious fraud.”
TMJ4 spoke to an anonymous resident who has lived inside a building run by HACM for two years.
He says the organization rarely responds to tenants’ requests to fix issues in the building like broken elevators in his high rise, broken pipes in units, and unsecured doors to the building
“That’s unsafe, you know what I mean? For the tenants, for me and everybody else. It’s not fair,” the resident shared.
Since March, community organization Common Ground has been working with tenants in HACM buildings to demand change from the organization that oversees thousands.
“At this point, we’ve talked to over 1,500 residents and really listened to their stories and their concerns, and have been trying to work with them,” said Jennifer O’Hear, the Executive Director of Common Ground.
“We want all residents, and particularly HACM residents, to have the same rights that other residents have.”
Two reports from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) say the housing authority is “at risk for serious fraud, waste, and abuse.”
One 47-page report that was filed just before the new year states one sole employee was in charge of the bookkeeping for 36 million dollars worth of rent subsidies in 2021.
The report also states that tenant social security cards were “displayed openly on unattended desks.”
For context, HACM estimates that they offer housing assistance to more than 15,000 Milwaukeeans.
They oversee the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, which helps with rent for people who are low-income, elderly, or disabled.
Another HUD report filed in April says the agency’s bank statements and books were millions of dollars apart.
In a written statement HACM said the most recent issues denoted by HUD “primarily from technology upgrades, staffing challenges, and the COVID-19 impact” but have since taken steps to improve internal controls and staff training.
Common Ground, now asking for the agency’s leadership to step down.
“We really think that Willie Hines needs to go and his board needs to go,” said O’Hear.
On Monday the Common Council will vote on whether or not to authorize the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) to oversee HACM.
Right now, residents living in HACM properties can’t call the city if there are any code violations because it’s not a city agency.
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Milwaukee, WI
Sheriff’s deputy unintentionally fired his weapon responding to a fight at Milwaukee’s Sherman Park, authorities say
A sheriff’s deputy sergeant is on administrative duty after unintentionally firing his weapon into the ground while attempting to draw his weapon on a person with a gun, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said.
The incident began Thursday night at Sherman Park on Milwaukee’s north side, after Milwaukee police transferred a caller to the sheriff’s office shortly after 7:30 p.m. to report a fight happening at the park, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said “additional information” led to the department focusing on three males, two of whom were reportedly armed with firearms.
As sheriff’s deputies approached the scene, the three males fled on foot, according to the sheriff’s office. Two males were caught and the third male was discovered in a resident’s yard after the resident notified authorities, the sheriff’s office said.
A sheriff’s deputy approached the male and as he drew his weapon, he unintentionally fired his weapon into the ground near his foot, according to the sheriff’s office. Nobody was injured.
The sheriff’s office said the deputy sergeant has been with the department for more than six years. The sheriff’s office will conduct an internal investigation.
Milwaukee barbershop catches fire
A Milwaukee south side barbershop recently caught fire. Now, employees are back at work, dealing with the aftermath.
MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee south side barbershop recently caught fire. Now, employees are back at work, dealing with the aftermath.
“We were working and all of a sudden we see smoke coming out,” said Joel Quintanilla, with the La Tijera salon. “We got scared. We were the only two barbers here and we all just ran out.”
The fire happened on Wednesday, May 22.
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They are cleaning up damage while still cutting hair, even without electricity.
The Milwaukee Fire Department said no one was hurt, and the Milwaukee Police Department said the fire is still under investigation.
But it isn’t the first fire in the neighborhood near 13th and Cleveland. Just down the road, about a month and a half ago, the owner’s other location also caught on fire and left with severe damages.
MPD said the cause of that fire is undetermined.
Milwaukee Fire Battalion Chief Thomas Sells said preparation is key in these incidents.
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“Every business by law is required to have an emergency action plan or evacuation action plan not only for their employees but also for people that may be in the business,” Sells said.
He also said businesses need to have working smoke detectors, schedule routine maintenance for their equipment and have clearly marked exit signs.
“Thank God no one got hurt and it didn’t reach extremes,” Quintanilla said.
Air & Water Show organizers offer new details
The 2024 edition of the Milwaukee Air & Water Show is slated for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at McKinley Park and Bradford Beach.
MILWAUKEE – The 2024 edition of the Milwaukee Air & Water Show is slated for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at McKinley Park and Bradford Beach. On Thursday, May 23, organizers provided new information about the show.
The Milwaukee Air & Water Show celebrates Milwaukee’s veterans, first responders, members of the armed services, and their families.
The USAF Thunderbirds will return after a five-year hiatus as the headlining act with six demonstration pilots flying the venerable Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Army Golden Knights to parachute in
The United States Army Parachute Team, nicknamed the Golden Knights, and the world’s premier military parachute team, will return to Milwaukee after a six-year absence. The Golden Knights hold world records in aerial competitions, and are known for taking soldiers, celebrities, and heads of state on skydiving events. Members must demonstrate excellence in parachuting.
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The Golden Knights are made up of several expert teams and skilled professionals who all play a critical role in the Army’s success.
Italian Air Force’s National Aerobatic Team to perform
The Frecce Tricolori (“Tricolor Arrows”), the official aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force, will also participate in the 2024 show. Based at Rivolto, Italy, the team alternates between solo and multiple-aircraft maneuvers and are regarded as one of the world’s top aerobatic teams. Flying ten MB-339s, they are the joint largest aerobatic team in the world.
Based at Rivolto, the Frecce Tricolori are regarded as one of the world’s top aerobatic teams. The Frecce Tricolori were formed in 1961 to replace Italy’s many unofficial aerobatic teams.
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The Frecce Tricolori use green, white and red smoke throughout their display. The first displays comprised a four-ship of F-86 Sabres and an additional solo aircraft, with the main formation gradually increasing in size to nine aircraft. The team transitioned to the Fiat G.91 in 1964 and the MB-339A/PAN in 1982. The MB-339 will soon be replaced by the M-345HET.
Learn more about the 2024 Milwaukee Air & Water Show.
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