Save 53206

Milwaukee’s next police chief has to articulate a comprehensive plan of how to remove Milwaukee’s 53206 neighborhoods from the list of America’s highest incarcerated black men.

She or he must use a compassionate authority and willingness to connect all resources: city, county, state, federal, local businesses, churches, schools, residents and influential informal leaders and volunteers in facilitating a collaborative approach in bringing about a vibrant and prosperous 53206 community.

Milwaukee’s next police chief must be willing to walk into the living rooms of the 53206 residents, roll up her or his sleeves and extend a sincere hand offering and promising to help, to build trust and to do all in their power to restore hope.

If Milwaukee’s next police chief refuses to immerse herself or himself into 53206 to peel off the layers of why and where problems exist, then she or he will be useless in facilitating and bringing about the necessary resources to restore a vibrant community.

Many Milwaukee residents, including myself, are willing to volunteer, mentor and help those that are less fortunate in Milwaukee. The next chief needs to tap into these resources. Saving 53206 from hopelessness will save Milwaukee at large.

Oscar O. Perez

Retired Deputy Inspector Milwaukee Police Department

Franklin