MILWAUKEE -- One week after one of Milwaukee's most violent years, the Milwaukee Police Department's top brass vowed to go on offense in 2016.
"We know their methods of operation, we know their network of associates," Inspector William Jessep told the Public Safety Committee Thursday, referring to the city's violent criminals. "We know quite a bit about them."
Jessep announced The U.S. Department of Justice awarded nearly $300,000 to the Milwaukee Police Department and claimed investigators have identified the 20 most dangerous criminals still on the streets.
"The hierarchy of the gangs has changed somewhat and in many cases they're much more mobile," Jessep explained.
The grant, subject to the approval of the full Common Council, requires MPD partner with professional researchers from Medical College of Wisconsin and other institutions of higher learning.
Aldermen on the committee challenged MPD to use the money wisely.
"You need to show us we're spending money, no matter whose money it is. We're spending time and personnel for a reason. We're doing this to improve Milwaukee," Alderman Terry Witkowski said.
Also discussed at the meeting was a grant to sponsor the sensitive crime unit to fight human trafficking. That also required Common Council's approval.
