Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

06/11/2020

Dear Neighbors,

The events of the last couple weeks, and months, have been challenging. I recognize the protests that have been occuring are in response to a pandemic. Not the COVID-19 pandemic, but the longstanding pandemic of systemic racism and oppression that has hurt Milwaukee unlike any other place in our nation. As marches have continued across Milwaukee I have been inspired by your activism and dedication to help combat these systemic issues, and I welcome continued peaceful protests to Bay View.

I want you to know I share your concerns and we are taking action. As chair of the Public Safety and Health Committee I called a special meeting last week to convene the Mayor’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department and Fire and Police Commission to discuss the issuing of curfews, their enforcement and enforcement of “civil unrest” during protests. While my colleagues and I didn’t always receive the answers we were hoping for, the conversation was productive. If you couldn't tune in live, I would encourage you to view the meeting replay on the City Channel website.

After reading many of the hundreds of public comments submitted before and since our committee meeting I will also be pushing for the following action items:

• Officer Mattioli must be immediately terminated and the Fire and Police Commission should review and update the use of force standard operating procedure.

• The Fire and Police Commission should perform an audit every six months of officer personnel files to review misconduct.

• The Fire and Police Commission must work to increase officer training hours to include diversity and inclusion and implicit bias training.

• The Fire and Police Commission must require ethics training with a focus on ensuring that each sworn member, uniformed or not, is trained on their duty to intervene when they see police misconduct, and ensuring that officers who do not comply face formal discipline.

• We must use our city’s federal CARES money to support the community by investing more in public health and housing for all.

This is the beginning of a long road ahead as we work to rebuild Milwaukee stronger than it was pre-pandemic, but I love our city and we will get through this together. Please continue to reach out to my office with your ideas for bettering Milwaukee for all of us.

Sincerely,

Marina Dimitrijevic
Alderwoman | 14th District
p: (414) 286-3769
e: [email protected]
200 E Wells Street, Room 205
Milwaukee, WI 53202
milwaukee.gov/district14

06/09/2020

Today’s Joint Message from Common Council to Our Police Chief

“Chief Morales, Say Their Names!”

Joel Acevedo. Sylville Smith. Dontre Hamilton. Derek Williams. Tony Bean. Frank Jude, Jr. Ernest Lacy.

On Friday, during an afternoon press conference you chided protesters in Milwaukee by saying:

“Something happens in another city, another state, and it’s very very easy to jump on the bandwagon and say Milwaukee can do better. Shame on those. That’s an easy narrative. It’s a very easy narrative to jump on.”

Chief, you are right that it was something in another city, in a neighboring state, that was the immediate cause of last week’s protests. But the people you are sworn to protect in Milwaukee did not take to the streets only to protest the Minneapolis Police Department. Yes, George Floyd’s name was often said in response to chants of “Say His Name” and Breonna Taylor’s name was often said in response to “Say Her Name” - and they were both killed by police in other states.

But if you had read the signs many were carrying, or if you had reviewed the record of your own department, you would know that the names and lives of Joel, Sylville, Dontre, Derek, Tony, Frank, and Ernest were also on our minds, in our hearts, and on our lips.

Those seven names are only a partial list of those who have died or been seriously injured while in the custody - or sometimes literally in the hands - of the Milwaukee Police.

And after a week of protests in our city, we are not just protesting the past: we are protesting the present and your police department’s response to these protests. Had you been present at Friday’s hearing of the Public Safety and Health Committee instead of at a press conference, you would have known that it is not “another city, another state” that is at stake here.

Your very next comment, after calling our protests a “bandwagon” at that press conference, was this:

“Two thousand years ago, an angry mob came before people to say 'Crucify that man.' That man being Jesus Christ. What are angry mobs doing today? We say we’re civilized, but are we really? Let’s think about that.”

Two minutes later, when asked to clarify who you meant was being crucified today, you replied:

“Law enforcement throughout our nation. Law enforcement is being crucified. That’s what they want. That’s what these angry mobs are doing.”

There are many angry people right now, but that is not what they want. Listen to the demands. Many of them were offered at the hearing you missed, and instead were communicated directly to your Assistant Chief Michael Brunson and your Chief of Staff Nick DeSiato. We want a police force that de-escalates, that respects, and that humanizes.

In our nation today, there are too many martyrs. There is too much violence and too much death. This was true before these protests started and it is still true.

There are many names to say.

Matthew Rittner. Michael Michalski. Charles Irvine, Jr. Wendolyn Tanner. Michael Niehoff. William Robertson. Michael Tourmo.

They are Milwaukee Police officers who have died in the line of duty in the past three decades.

We say all of these names, we celebrate their lives, and we mourn their violent deaths.

The current historical moment - in Milwaukee and throughout the nation - is not a competition to claim the right to religious analogies. It is a demand for justice, something for which too many have already died. It is a demand for significant and immediate structural reform of all police departments - including ours - to make sure George Floyd’s name is the last.

Let’s stop dying for justice and start achieving it.


Joint statement from Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

06/08/2020

FYI from the Mayor’s Office-please share.

Mayor Barrett will host 2 webinars for bar and restaurant owners and managers tomorrow with the Health Department, DPW, and DNS. As the City moved forward last week to Phase 3 of the Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely plan, the hospitality sector had many questions, and these webinars will be one chance to provide more information as well as answer questions about current health orders, enforcement, and the proposed Active Streets for Businesses program.

The link to register is here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7940954858210715404?source=Council

The Health Department will generate an invitation to all licensees in the city with email addresses on file. Please feel free to join, and to share the invitation.

A sample invitation message is below:

Milwaukee bar and restaurant owners are invited to join Mayor Tom Barrett and officials from the Health Department, Neighborhood Services, and Public Works for a webinar on safety and guidance for re-opening your business.

Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely Phase III For Bars & Restaurants will be offered twice on Tuesday, June 9, at 9am and 1pm.

Register now via GoToWebinar. Capacity is limited.

Bars and restaurants in Milwaukee will hear the Health Department’s outlook and expectations for safe operations in the City of Milwaukee.

We all share the commitment to keeping employees and customers safe as we re-open.

06/05/2020

Milwaukee Public Schools

This was such an honor as an MPS graduate and mother to MPS students. Congrats! We need your work now more than ever.

A message to the class of 2020 from Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic for the 14th District. #MPSClass2020 #MPSProud

06/05/2020

My statement prior to today’s Emergency Committee on Public Safety and Health. The meeting begins at 2:30. You can watch here http://milwaukee.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=2

Link in letter:

https://milwaukee.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4552127&GUID=8E8A5A4C-C8B1-4BC7-A0AF-FD8C5AEA4DAE&Options=&Search=

06/04/2020

Photos from Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic's post

06/04/2020

Milwaukee bars, restaurants can open for indoor service Friday at 25 percent capacity, Mayor Barrett says

https://www.tmj4.com/news/coronavirus/milwaukee-bars-restaurants-can-open-for-indoor-service-friday-at-25-percent-capacity-mayor-barrett-says

Milwaukee bars and restaurants can officially open for indoor service beginning Friday, June 5, Mayor Tom Barrett announced Thursday.

06/04/2020

Exciting news for the Crisol Corridor!

06/03/2020

As Chairwoman of our Public Safety and Health Committee and in partnership with the Common Council, we have called a special Committee Meeting this Friday at 2:30pm.

We will hear from the Offices of the Mayor, Police Department, and the Fire and Police Commission relating to circumstances under which a curfew is declared, the policies used to enforce it, and the operational definition of the phrase "civil unrest" and the manner in which it is enforced.

Please send your public comments and feedback to the City Clerk by 12:00pm June 5 to be considered by the committee.

City Clerk email : [email protected]

06/03/2020

Alderwoman Dimitrijevic, who testified in support of the program at today’s meeting, sees this as a win-win for the City and local businesses. “We have heard from many local bars and restaurants wanting to reopen and do so as safely as possible, and that inspired me to act on this issue and build off of the success of the Active Streets program,” said the Alderwoman.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the committee for their support. Having more outdoor opportunities will be safer for patrons this summer and help re-stimulate the economy. Creating these public gathering spaces also serves as another way for a neighborhood to come together and reduce our reliance on cars and parking to create a healthier city.”

https://milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccCouncil/PPTs/ActiveStreetsforBusinesses2020Final.pdf

06/03/2020

I testified today at the City’s Public Works Committee about our Active Streets plan for businesses I sponsored when health indicators in Milwaukee suggest a safe reopening.

This exciting plan makes it faster, easier and free of charge for businesses in Milwaukee to expand sidewalk dining and add parklets for all to enjoy safely. It potentially allows for more walking and bike activities as well. A sidewalk stimulus!

Would you enjoy more outdoor restaurant and bar services when we reopen?

06/03/2020

Filing a Complaint

To all those reaching out with concerns about how today’s march was dispersed, I am listening. If you had an issue that needs to be formally addressed, you can let the Fire and Police Commission know here.

A main goal of the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) is to ensure that members of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments carry out their duties in a professional and respectful manner. The FPC is the civilian oversight agency of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments and has full authority t.....

06/02/2020

Today, Bay View welcomed a peaceful protest with businesses handing out water, hand sanitizer and sunscreen. In this time of darkness, seeing so many young people march for justice brought us light.
🌈D14 Strong!

06/02/2020

06/01/2020

The City of Milwaukee now has a mobile app available for residents looking to make a request, file a complaint or receive access to important news and alerts from the City.

The MKE Mobile Action app is available for download for both iPhone and Android users, and will automatically download in the language to which a user’s phone is set. Learn more at city.milwaukee.gov/mkemobile.

Residents will still have the ability to call 286-CITY to request services and information, or make a submission online through the City website at milwaukee.gov/click4action.

Shared from Mayor Tom Barrett

06/01/2020

Bay View Bash

We have made the painful decision to not host this year’s Bay View Bash. Our mission is to support our community, and right now we feel the best way we can support one another is by not putting each other at risk for a potential wave two of Covid-19.

The Bash is run entirely by volunteers and all the money we raise is given back to local non-profits, schools, and hardworking groups that do so much for our community. We encourage you all if you have the ability to, please consider donating to Bay View restaurants, bars, shops, venues, salons, and gyms to help keep us strong.

Keep your eyes peeled to our page as we come up with different ideas to help raise funds for the neighborhood.

Photo by Brianna Griepentrog

05/31/2020

From the Mayor’s proclamation:

“Pursuant to the authority granted me by Wisconsin Statute § 323.14(4)(b), and Milwaukee Code of Ordinance § 6-07-3 I hereby proclaim and declare a state of emergency in the City of Milwaukee and order an emergency curfew in the entire City of Milwaukee for all persons from 9:00 p.m. May 30th, 2020, until 07:00 a.m. on May 31st , 2020.

All persons shall cease vehicular and pedestrian travel on the public way, streets, sidewalks and highways and return to their homes, places of work or other convenient place. Government, social services, and credentialed press acting in their official capacity are exempt from this order.”

05/27/2020

Milwaukee Police Department - District 6

Check out our District 6 neighborhood safety meeting !

Any questions or inquired regarding the Milwaukee Police Department’s actions, policies and practices in regards to traffic stops, field interviews, no-action encounters frisks and searches can be referred to the District Six Community Liaison Officers Garcia or Ward at 414-935-7198.

05/26/2020

This morning’s city meetings started with a powerful presentation about our Port of Milwaukee.
Did you know the city acquired Jones Island in 1913?
Our Port is our connection to the global market 💪

05/23/2020

Double local business support! Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant and mask by Blest by campuzano ✌️

05/23/2020

05/22/2020

Stay tuned for more details about WRAP.

05/21/2020

It’s our anniversary!

Today marks one month since we have officially been in office as Alderwoman for District 14!

What a busy month it has been. We have worked to ensure a safe vote for everyone this fall, fought to extend the deadline for assessment appeals and chaired our first Public Safety and Health Committee.

We plan to provide monthly e-newsletter updates going forward.

Here are the links in this e-news:

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V6VXPVL

BOR testimony: https://youtu.be/Rr4zJZyJLP8

Info on appealing assessment: milwaukee.gov/AppealsandAssistance674.htm

05/19/2020

MPL Offers Contactless Materials Pickup -
Patrons can request materials by calling 414-286-3011. Pickup can be arranged for Central Library Drive-Up, or at the Milwaukee Public Library Tippecanoe or Milwaukee Public Library Washington Park Branches. For more information, please visit mpl.org/stayconnected.

05/19/2020

My first city Zoning, Neighborhood and Development Committee.

Our city is on the move!

https://milwaukee.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=723543&GUID=D1A3B6BE-A5E3-459E-B48A-F40CC9B07A45

05/19/2020

Be counted.

05/18/2020

Took a quick lunch break from our zoom meetings to support one of the many great businesses in D14, we usually go to Cafe India Bar & Grill with our family and we did so today -curbside!

05/18/2020

🛎 Assessment appeal update 🔑

The deadline has been extended to June 8th
If you are still looking to appeal please check out the link below

https://city.milwaukee.gov/AppealsandAssistance674.htm#.XsKdwvc1glQ

05/16/2020

Milwaukee Launching Business Restart Cash Grant Program

https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2020/05/15/milwaukee-launching-business-restart-cash-grant-program/

Businesses with $2 million or less in revenue can apply for $20 million grant program.

05/16/2020

Mask Up MKE is preparing to distribute quantities of disposable non-medical masks to organizations in the district that need them. If your organization needs masks, please email [email protected] with your name, your organization name, and how many (in quantities of
700) masks you will need for a 21-day period. We will make sure that MCW delivers you a supply. Thanks, everyone! Please stay healthy.

05/16/2020

Please share.

05/15/2020

8 am to 8 pm every day but Sunday. Drive up, free, no appointment needed!