Photos Provided By the Mayor’s Office
Mayor Tom Barrett spoke out about Milwaukee’s various social issues within the community and seeks solutions. Issues include education, crime, employment, human trafficking and environment.
Education in Milwaukee has staggered, especially among those below the poverty line. According to the Milwaukee Public School Report Card released in 2013, poverty levels in MPS have increased by 11 percent in the past ten years.
“This is mostly because of the recent economic issues facing our country,” Mayor Barrett said. Mayor Barrett aims to rectify poverty by making public appearances at MPS and speaking to children on why staying in school can lead to success.
“The city has started a summer reading program for younger kids.
The program is called Super Readers. It is designed to help kids continue their learning over spring break, Mayor Barrett said.
For the older kids, Mayor Barrett created the “Earn and Learn” program which provides teens with summer jobs through schools to help them associate money with learning.
“This program puts thousands of students into summer jobs,” Mayor Barrett said.
Although Mayor Barrett would like a bigger part in helping MPS schools reach success by being more hands on. His attempts of gaining some control within MPS have been turned down by the MPS School Board and the people of Milwaukee who simply do not want the Mayor in charge of MPS. Despite failures, Mayor Barrett still believes there is a better future for MPS. “I still believe very strongly that the future of the city is directly intertwined with the future of Milwaukee Public Schools,” Mayor Barrett said.
To further protect the future of the city, Mayor Barrett addresses issues in regards to the criminal justice system, the increasing crime rate and human trafficking.
According to a study shown on the Urban Milwaukee news site, no state comes close to Milwaukee imprisoning black males. The study found that 12.8 percent or 1 in 8 African American working males were incarcerated.
Drug offenses are among the highest of crimes committed by African American males according to the study.
40 percent of black Males from Milwaukee County incarcerated since 1990 were drug offenders. In the early 1990s, African Americans had 4 times as many annual admissions for drug related offenses as white men. A noticeable difference being in how crack cocaine was handled versus powder cocaine.
80 percent of those arrested for crack were black, according to a report provided by the UW Milwaukee Employment & Training Institute.
Photos Provided By the Mayor’s Office
Mayor Barrett’s solution is not to prolong incarceration periods but rather provide the offenders with rehabilitation methods and seasonal employment. In regards to criminals who do drugs, “It makes more sense to get them treatment for their addiction,” Mayor Barrett said.
Human trafficking in Milwaukee has seemingly gone under the radar but to Mayor Barrett, it is an issue that he and the Human Trafficking Task Force for the Greater Milwaukee are working hard to spread awareness.
Through an assessment of studies, surveys and legislation, Barrett is finding the noticeable success with campaigns.
“We have a task force here on sexual assault and domestic violence. It has focused on human trafficking because we know that’s an issue,” Mayor Barrett said.
Earlier this year, Barrett held an event with Congresswoman Gwen Moore to discuss issues involving human trafficking and was involved in the “Unlucky Thirteen” campaign during the first week of summer. The number 13 refers to the average age of when children become involved with human trafficking.
Along with finding solutions to human trafficking, the Mayor’s office is currently working on a program to help people who have a criminal background transition to employment life.
Early this spring, Barrett recruited 25 “transition workers” to fill potholes on Milwaukee’s streets that have been damaged by harsh weather conditions.
Milwaukee’s current employment rate is 6.4 percent which is lower than last year’s rate, 7.1 percent.
Mayor Barrett points out that Wisconsin’s once thriving manufacturing industry is now fading away and loss opportunities are becoming more apparent. “The city has a role to play,” Mayor Barrett said. “The state of Wisconsin has lagged behind on job creation,” Professions such as cashiering and food prep work are at the top of the list for job openings and Barrett believes this turnover is due to the workers’ tendency to move up.
To ensure a healthy atmosphere for everyone, Mayor Barrett has taken positive steps toward providing a clean environment for Milwaukee.
The City of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental and the Port of Milwaukee became partners to create the first, and now successful, wind turbine for Milwaukee in 2012. Port of Milwaukee has generated 300,000 kwh of energy, prevented 380,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and saved Milwaukee over $35,000.
Since the success of the wind turbine, Mayor Barrett is expanding his efforts in the ReFresh Milwaukee initiative established in 2013.
The initiative brings together businesses, residential and industry areas to create an environmentally and economically sustainable community.