Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers Request Immediate Assistance from U.S. Department of Justice to Assist Racine and Milwaukee with Rising Community Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to request immediate assistance on behalf of the cities of Racine and Milwaukee to respond to increases in community violence.

Like many communities in Wisconsin, Racine and Milwaukee have seen an alarming uptick in community violence in recent years, especially gun violence. In the first 5 months of 2022, Racine reported a doubling in its homicide rate and a 49% increase in calls reporting shots fired. Between 2020 and 2022, homicides in Milwaukee increased by 33% and non-fatal shootings increased by 80%. Sen. Baldwin and Governor Evers called on Attorney General Garland and the U.S. Justice Department to help Racine and Milwaukee respond.

“Existing grant programs at the Department of Justice, including the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and the Community Violence Initiative, are invaluable to helping communities address the complex factors that drive crime and recidivism,” they wrote. “Nevertheless, communities like Racine and Milwaukee require immediate assistance beyond these grant mechanisms to respond to ongoing violence. We are asking that the Department of Justice directly communicate with local officials in Racine and Milwaukee to provide technical assistance and identify federal resources that could be immediately leveraged to address this urgent situation.”

A full version of the letter is available here and below.

June 16, 2022

The Honorable Merrick Garland
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Garland:

We are writing to request the immediate assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the cities of Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Like other communities in Wisconsin, Racine and Milwaukee are experiencing increases in community violence. In just the first five months of 2022, Racine reported a doubling of its homicide rate and a 49% increase in shots fired calls for service. Milwaukee has also experienced a disturbing rise in crime, with homicides increasing by 33% and non-fatal shootings rising by 80% between 2020-2022. This gun violence and crime cannot continue in our communities and we are asking for assistance to help the cities of Racine and Milwaukee respond.

Existing grant programs at the Department of Justice, including the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and the Community Violence Initiative, are invaluable to helping communities address the complex factors that drive crime and recidivism. Nevertheless, communities like Racine and Milwaukee require immediate assistance beyond these grant mechanisms to respond to ongoing violence. We are asking that the Department of Justice directly communicate with local officials in Racine and Milwaukee to provide technical assistance and identify federal resources that could be immediately leveraged to address this urgent situation.

Please find attached the contact information for Racine Mayor Cory Mason and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. We would value being kept apprised as to the federal assistance made available to Racine and Milwaukee and any additional resources that may be provided to cities across the state. Further, if we can be of assistance in connecting DOJ with other state and local community leaders who can assist with these efforts, please do not hesitate to reach out to either of our offices. Thank you for your prompt review and assistance with this pressing public safety crisis.

Sincerely,

Tony Evers

Governor of Wisconsin

Tammy Baldwin

United States Senator