Milwaukee Common Council discusses safety measures ahead of RNC

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – City leaders discussed safety measures brought forth with hopes they would pass before the Republican National Convention.

"I think we need more dialogue than right now," District 2 Milwaukee Alderman Mark Chambers said.

Chambers was among the Milwaukee Common Council members to vote to hold an ordinance on penalties relating to disorderly conduct while possessing, using, or threatening to use a dangerous weapon.

District 13 Milwaukee Alderman Scott Spiker sponsored the ordinance to allow police officers to fine people up to $5,000.

"If you don't pass this ordinance, then a police officer can charge for disorderly conduct as a criminal act, and guess what, there's a state statute that allows for an enhancer for the gun. If you don't have this ordinance, you don't have a civil version of that. It has to be a crime," Spiker said.

"This merely allows the officer to lower temperature and use a mere civil penalty and not involve somebody in the criminal system."

The 8-3 vote to hold the ordinance came after alders like Russell Stamper expressed concern it was not well thought out.

"We have to bring in the police department, the city attorney, and we need a broader community discussion," the district 15 alderman said during the meeting.

Stamper was willing to allow the ordinance to stand until the end of the Republican National Convention, but not for good, at least not right now.

"Does the community feel that this is better legislation or a better tool for the police department to hold them accountable for something they have done or something they may not have the intent of doing?" Stamper said to CBS 58.

While several council members expressed they are worried this ordinance could disproportionately impact minority residents, Spiker said it is a tool police can use instead of criminal charges.

"I would think if you wanted to stop somebody from entering the criminal pipeline, you might want to give police another option for what to do if you have somebody with a weapon," Spiker said.

At this special Common Council meeting, the council was also supposed to discuss a ban on bump stocks brought forth by Spiker to prohibit them ahead of RNC.

However, because the city attorney's office ruled it was overreaching and unenforceable, the council could not hear it. That ordinance will return to the Public Safety and Health Committee for further review.