MILWAUKEE -- The complaint isn't that Milwaukee Police are doing a bad job, residents and businesses are concerned that officers are too far away.
"It can be accidents, it can be armed robberies, everything can happen," business owner Kristie Goben laments to TODAY'S TMJ4. "If there is a hub of the city that is not well policed and young kids are running crazy it can affect the entire city."
Goben owns and manages the Greater Milwaukee Auto Auction at 87th and Brown Deer, Road, which is under the jurisdiction of MPD's District 4. The station, however, is 10-15 minutes away without traffic.
Geographically, District 4 is the largest of MPD's seven districts, covering an area of 28.8 square miles. It's also home to 70,000 residents.
"The city needs to put a police presence here," Goben says "We're willing to invest in it."
Specifically, Goben is offering one her properties at 8801 W. Brown Deer to MPD for a substation, which Goben says would provide the coverage needed to improve safety and cut down on crime.
The city's northwest side, in particular the Granville neighborhood, has been hit hard by car thefts, retail thefts, and other robberies. The latest occurred Monday, when seven cars were stolen from John Amato Hyundai at 76th and Dean Rd.
Gobel says she's in contact with Alderwoman Chantia Lewis about her offer, as well as District 4 personnel.
District 3 (west side) is the only district that currently has a substation.
