MILWAUKEE — A total of eight people have been killed in Milwaukee in the last week, and the mayor and police chief have pledged to send additional police officers on patrol in problem areas.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday that several men injured in shootings in recent days have since died (http://bit.ly/17zQnbP). Police have apprehended some suspects and issued warrants for others. The most recent fatal shooting occurred late Wednesday.
At least 20 shootings have happened in the city since Friday night, and many have occurred in daylight.
Mayor Tom Barrett said he authorized $500,000 in city tax money to increase police overtime and asked the state to match that amount.
"We must get criminals off the streets of Milwaukee. On the north side. On the south side. That is our joint goal," Barrett said.
Barrett and Police Chief Edward Flynn also reiterated their call for legislation to require mandatory minimum sentences for those who illegally possess a firearm. Gov. Scott Walker has expressed support for new legislation, but not the call for state funding for police overtime.
The additional homicides in the last week pushed the city's total for the year above 50, police said. That's an increase in the rate of homicides over this point in 2012.
