FBI-police gang task force shifts to south side

Area has seen increase in shootings, homicides

After years of focusing on Milwaukee’s north side, a federal-local gang task force is expected to shift its attention to the near south side where homicides and shootings have skyrocketed this year.

“What we’re seeing is a concentration in a relatively small area and it’s pretty intense and needs some additional attention,” Milwaukee Assistant Chief James Harpole told the city’s Fire and Police Commission on Thursday.

So far this year, 93 people have been injured in shootings in District 2, a 69% increase from this time last year, and 15 homicides have been reported, compared with 11 in the prior year, he said.

Robbery and drugs appear to be the primary factors behind the violence, which is concentrated in blocks known for drug dealing and prostitution, Harpole said.

The main area is bordered by National Ave. and Burnham St., from S. 29th to S. 15th streets.

The amount of gunfire also has steadily increased throughout District 2.

The Police Department expanded ShotSpotter, a system of sensors for detecting and locating gunshots, into the area in 2015. As of Wednesday, the system had registered 1,245 gunfire alerts, compared with 911 at the same time last year.

Ald. Bob Donovan, who represents part of the area and leads the Common Council’s Public Safety and Health Committee, praised the task force’s move, calling the news a “wonderful Christmas present for my constituents and myself.”

“Sadly, some of us have been trying to raise the alarm bell of issues on the south side for a long time,” he said. “I am certainly appreciative that finally a greater degree of effort is coming and I hope it’s not too late.”

Under the proposed plan, the task force will be housed out of District 2 and the FBI will fund four task force officer positions from Milwaukee police.

The funding includes $18,000 allotted for overtime for each officer, Harpole said.

The move does not mean more officers in the district, but it does dedicate officers already working on gang investigations to the effort, he said.

The FBI’s Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Gang Task Force operates in Milwaukee and Racine and periodically changes focus.

The task force spent about a year in Milwaukee Police District 4 on the northwest side, two years in District 5 on the central north side and most recently has been involved in the Center Street Corridor project.