MPD joins nonprofit to clean up neighborhood

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hometown nonprofits and the Milwaukee Police Department joined forces to clean up the Amani neighborhood. 

The partnership came as Milwaukee Public Schools touted their new Operation Summer Guardian program. The cleanup began July 26. on Burleigh Street, an area called an active street, where kids run and play. The street is also known for its reckless driving, and according to police, heavy gunfire.

"We need to keep this area clean, it’s a health issue, it's a wellness issue," said Jerusa Johnson, Community Organizer, with the Dominican Center for Women.

Johnson, worked alongside Amani United, both community non-profits, picking up trash with a purpose.

"We live, we work, and we play in this neighborhood, and we all have to be a part of it, we want back to that old saying, it takes a village, and it really does," said Johnson.

The two groups, not alone, worked hand in hand with some of Milwaukee's finest.

"I know a lot of people, we have a lot of issues with building trust in the community, we want them to know, we are out here to help and work with our community partners as well," said Officer Keith Garland with the Milwaukee Police Department, District 5.

Garland went on to say, MPD wants people to know they are more than just a badge.

"I know a lot of people might fear, a fear of retaliation, we want to let them know we are here to help, and to get the message out that we need everyone to get involved to detour a lot of this gunfire in the neighborhood," said Garland.

The groups hung door decals on neighborhood doors offering resources and support.

"They have programs for youth, programs for adults, if they don’t have food in the home, providing shelters for individuals that might be homeless," said Garland.

The decals served as a seed of hope.

"We hope that they keep overflowing to other people throughout the neighborhood, and it becomes a vibrant neighborhood back again, it once was a vibrant neighborhood, and we are working to revitalize it," said Johnson.

For more information on Dominican Center for Women, click here

From more information on Operation Summer Guardian, click here.