MILWAUKEE -- A local organization and pastor are upset about comments Chief Ed Flynn made at a recent Ceasefire Sabbath breakfast on Thursday.
After presenting several statistics on Milwaukee's gun violence, Flynn suggested four simple rules to avoid being shot in Milwaukee.
- Don't be part of a crime gang or crew
- Don't be a drug dealer
- Don't illegally carry a gun
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If you are in an argument with a stranger – ask them how often they’ve been arrested, and if they have been arrested more often than you’ve been arrested concede the point.
While Pastor Steve Jerbi at All People's Church said there may be some truth to what Flynn said, the chief's comments are being called disrespectful and insensitive.
"When he makes statements like this, he actually puts further division between the community and the police and he makes it harder for the officers to do their job," Jerbi said.
Jerbi said Flynn is missing the reality of what is causing gun violence in the city.
"I'm just appalled at the lack of insensitivity," he said. "We have innocent victims of gun violence that have followed those four simple rules and still find themselves being victims."
Recently, in Milwaukee, a nine-year-old girl was shot in the face while watching TV in her home. She is the latest young victim of a gun battle that took place near her home on 15th Street and Meinecke and continues to fight for her life.
The Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) also called out Flynn in an open letter written by president Mike Crivello, where he demands an apology to the community.
"If we really want to talk about violence then we need to talk about economic opportunity, we need to talk about educational investment, we need to change the dynamics of community relations, we need to repair the brokenness and that includes the department of justice pattern and practice investigation," Jerbi said. "We need to heal some long festering wounds between residents and the police department."
Jerbi said he agrees with MPA and would like an apology.
