MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department says it will do monthly reviews of call data to identify nuisance properties.

It follows efforts by a local group that says thousands of properties should have been cited under the city’s nuisance ordinance.

Chronic nuisance property ordinance

What we know:

The ordinance was created in 2001 to address nuisance properties in the city, and the impact they can have on quality of life.

But in recent years, the ordinance has been used less and less.

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It was one of the issues before the steering and rules committee on Monday, June 8, after a push by local group Common Ground.

Milwaukee Common Council Steering and Rules Committee

It was already working on crunching the numbers when federal prosecutors charged one of the largest landlords on the city’s south side, and others, with allegedly running a drug trafficking enterprise through rental properties.

Ultimately, Common Ground says thousands of properties across the city should have been declared a nuisance, but weren’t.

A nuisance premises can be cited if it reaches certain thresholds of calls for service within a period of time and the calls are substantiated.

Milwaukee Common Council Steering and Rules Committee

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And if the problem isn’t addressed, it could result in fines.

On Monday, Milwaukee police said it’s a process that takes time, but says it’s changing its procedures and reviewing calls for service each month.

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What they’re saying:

“We’re also doing a deeper dive into that data analysis, requiring all of our district captains to address any, to review those properties and if they choose not to ‘nuisance’ the property that is eligible to be ‘nuisanced,’ why not,” said Milwaukee Police Department Chief of Staff Heather Hough.

It’s important to note that Milwaukee alders urged the importance of residents calling police about nuisance properties, so there is a record to look back on for if or when a property falls under that nuisance ordinance.

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Common Council Steering & Rules Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday afternoon, June 8, to discuss ongoing crime and safety concerns. 

This comes on the heels of an apparent street takeover on Milwaukee’s south side on Sunday night, June 7.

South Side safety

What we know:

Back in April, community leaders and residents on Milwaukee’s south side said crime concerns have left many feeling unsafe, prompting a new effort to address the issue.

Common Ground, a coalition of community members and leaders, launched a South Side Safety Plan after six months of research into crime in the area.

The plan outlines five focus areas: accountability, proactive neighborhoods, police relationships, policy reform and prevention. An action team on the south side is expected to help implement those strategies.

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Common Council President Jose Perez was among the leaders participating in that discussion. He told FOX6 News a public hearing would be held on June 8 to address public safety and what still needs improvement. 

On the agenda for Monday’s meeting, Perez sponsored a communication file from Milwaukee police about part two crime data. We are expecting to hear about how the Milwaukee Police Department goes about collecting, assessing and reporting crime data. 

“Something is going on that people aren’t reporting crime – and many times we can’t address things if we don’t know about them,” said Common Council President Jose Perez. 

The meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. 

Apparent street takeover

Dig deeper:

Monday’s meeting comes on the heels of an apparent street takeover on Milwaukee’s south side on Sunday night, June 7.

FOX6 News went to the scene near 13th and Mitchell, where a large crowd gathered – blocking the intersection and stopping traffic in all directions. There were cars speeding and doing donuts and motorcycles swerving. Some cars had people on top of or hanging out of them while in motion.

Several Milwaukee police squads blocked off the area with lights activated as crime scene tape went up across different streets. The scene was active for hours, clearing just before 10 p.m.

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee police responded to an apparent “street takeover” on the city’s south side Sunday night, June 7.

13th and Mitchell

What we know:

FOX6 News went to the scene near 13th and Mitchell, where a large crowd gathered – blocking the intersection and stopping traffic in all directions. Some vehicles had people on top of or hanging out of them while in motion.

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Several Milwaukee police squads were blocking the area with lights activated. Crime scene tape was seen blocking a few streets in the area.

What we don’t know:

Milwaukee police at the scene would not comment on whether they were investigating the gathering as a street takeover. It’s not clear how many people were involved or whether anyone was arrested, cited or injured.

Several Puerto Rican flags were spotted in the crowd. Earlier Sunday, a Puerto Rican parade marched down Oklahoma Avenue and a festival was held at Humboldt Park – both events were at least a mile away from 13th and Mitchell. It’s not clear if the apparent takeover involved anyone who was previously at either event.

What is a street takeover?

The backstory:

FOX6 News has covered what local law enforcement and other municipal leaders have described as street takeovers for more than a year. Those leaders have described them as large gatherings that often include huge crowds, speeding cars, burnouts and even fireworks. Often fueled by social media, the takeovers block intersections as the people in the crows watch and perform reckless acts.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.