Milwaukee police add new community prosecutor to help address crime proactively

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Just one day after Milwaukee released last year's crime numbers, law enforcement officials are expanding efforts to address problems proactively through partnerships.

Milwaukee police and the county district attorney’s office are announcing the addition of a Community Prosecutor for the District 6 Police Station.

"This is a hopeful day for us where we get to start becoming proactive again," said John Chisholm, Milwaukee County D-A during a Friday morning press conference.

District 6 has been without a community prosecutor for more than five years. The position was able to be filled after $100,00 was raised through community partners.

Through partnerships, community prosecutors focus on tackling chronic crime concerns.

"The former chief of the municipal court, Derek Mosely he started the first community prosecution program back in 2000," said Chrisholm.

Community prosecutors come with years of experience the courtroom and DA's office.

"We want to have somebody that has a really deep appreciation for the harms that can occur and understanding that we would rather address those problems before the harm occurs," Chisholm said.

Francesco Mineo is the new district 6 community prosecutor and has more than a decade of experience.

"A lot of the goals are going to be to focus on issues that the community has, whether it be concerns with prostitution, drug dealing and things of those issues…the chronic retail thieves that's effecting some of the businesses on the 27th Street corridor," said Mineo.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said this will allow the department to continue expanding on proactive measure to address crime.

"This is a great addition to the team as I always say public safety is a team activity," said Norman.

Officials say police district 7 is the only one without a community prosecutor at this time. The DA's office said they expect that position to be filled within the next month.