Alderman says south side crime on the rise

A Milwaukee alderman says he blames the criminal justice system for an attempted strong armed robbery -- and the rise of crime in his district. 

"This is getting to be ridiculous," Alderman Mark Borkowski said. 

Police say the suspect, a 20-something white or Hispanic male, attacked a 51-year-old Milwaukee man outside his home on S. 60th Street Monday night. 

The victim was carrying a gun - he shot at the suspect, who quickly drove off, getting away with nothing. 

"We were watching TV," said neighbor Katie Steinbrecher. "My fiancee was saying 'there's a lot of commotion out there with the sirens. I'm not ignorant to the fact that there might be crime here."

Steinbrecher says she generally feels safe in her neighborhood. Alderman Borkowski says it's one of the safer areas in Milwaukee, but it might not be for long.

"The police are doing a great job," Borkowski said. "Our criminal justice system is letting us down. We have these soft judges where they basically say, 'Ya know what? We're gonna give them another chance."

Borkowski says he's interested to see if the suspect in this crime is a repeat offender. 

"Enough is enough as far as the bad guys seeming to win," he said. 

The man wanted in this case made off in a car that is a white or silver, 4-door sedan, with black rims. It is believed the vehicle is an early 2000’s Toyota with a possible Wisconsin plate 524-KZN.

Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360.