WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Herb Kohl today announced that he included $1.2 million for criminal prosecution in Wisconsin and $1.6 million for Milwaukee city-wide law enforcement and crime prevention initiatives as part of the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and had identified these projects as priorities for funding. Kohl directed $1.2 million to the Wisconsin Department of Administration Office of State Prosecutors to help stave off a worsening shortage of prosecutors that is being most acutely felt in Milwaukee County. The Senate approved the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Bill last night and it will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
“When our economy is suffering and every dollar is tight, we can’t overlook the importance of making sure law enforcement doesn’t get short-changed. These funds are going to effective programs that will help keep Milwaukee safer,” Kohl said.
The funds secured by Kohl include:
$1.2 million for the Wisconsin Department of Administration Office of State Prosecutors – Wisconsin is approximately 132 prosecutors short of what is considered “adequate” prosecution levels, according to a recent report by the state’s Legislative Audit Bureau. Due to cuts in federal funding in recent years, the shortage is expected to get worse. Because the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program was cut by 68 percent last year, District Attorneys (D.A.s) across the state are facing reduced funding and will ultimately be forced to lay off prosecutors, despite rising criminal caseloads. Milwaukee County will be hardest hit and, as a result of reduced funding, the D.A. in Milwaukee will be forced to lay off as many as 16 assistant D.A.s within the next year. This funding would allow critical counties to fund a number of full or half D.A. positions; the vast majority of these prosecutors would serve Milwaukee County.
$650,000 for the Milwaukee Police Department Gunshot Location System – This funding would allow the Milwaukee Police Department to install a Gunshot Location System (GLS) in two one-square-mile target areas, which have seen the highest density of violent crime in the past two years. Through use of a wireless communications system, this system is able to detect gunshots within a two-mile radius, within 82 feet or less of the location where the shot was fired. Once operational, the system will be able to alert the MPD when shots are fired, and indicate the number of shots and the location. This will also reduce false alarm responses. The entire system would be operation in less than one year.
$600,000 for the Safe & Sound Program – Safe & Sound is a community crime reduction strategy focusing on 21 high-crime neighborhoods in Milwaukee. This initiative works with local law enforcement, neighborhood organizations, churches, schools, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other organizations to provide safe after-school and evening programs. This funding will be used by Safe & Sound and the Community Prosecution Unit of the Milwaukee D.A.’s office, which works directly with police officers and communities. The funding would support three Community Prosecution Assistants – who receive complaints from residents, open and track cases, and focus on drug houses and prostitution rings – and four Safe & Sound Community Partners. The funds would also be used to support four after school “Safe Places.”
$350,000 for the Milwaukee Summer Stars Program – Administered by the Division of Community Recreation for Milwaukee Public Schools, Summer Stars collaborates with local law enforcement to operate eight-week recreational and educational sessions for at-risk teens ages 13 to 17. This program strives to reduce juvenile crime rates by promoting positive life choices and social development with counseling, guidance with drug/alcohol issues, and vocational planning.
