David Crowley hosts 'Coffee with the County Executive' to talk deep issues in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- County Executive David Crowley hosts "Coffee with the County Executive" once every month, where he dives into Milwaukee's most important matters with community leaders. This month, the conversation is about domestic abuse and violence against the LGBTQ community in the city.

"At the end of the day, when we're talking about domestic violence, whether we're talking about women, women of color or trans community, it's really about one having the conversation and understanding what resources are really out there for individuals," said Crowley.

Crowley and some recognizable faces like Carmen Pitre of Sojourner Family Peace Center, Antonia Drew-Norton of the Asha Project and Kevin Turner-Espinoza of the MKE LGBTQ Community Center were among the few who joined the discussion at Pilcrow Coffee.

"You could throw a rock and find a drink anywhere in the city, but you cannot find a place if you're suffering."

Last year, Milwaukee police reported 23 domestic violence-related homicides. This year so far, there've been seven. The city deeming itself in a state of emergency with domestic violence.

In the last 10 months, we've reported a number of trans women homicides.

"We had, I think it's five now, four homicides of transgender, all Black, in the city," said Turner Espinoza, who is the executive director of the MKE LGBT Community Center.

Crowley said the point of these conversations is to brainstorm solutions and tighten partnerships with the community so that folks get the help they need. He shared what solutions the group came up with Tuesday morning in regard to violence against women.

"One is really creating a domestic violence fund, right, how do we start to work with our businesses and getting our businesses to really fund different kinds of services that are happening in our community -- whether they are affecting women or the LGBTQ community," said Crowley.

He adds that these coffee dates with city and community leaders are vital for Milwaukee.

"Continuously having these kinds of conversations with people on the ground, with policymakers and those who are in positions to actually help change the outcomes."