Republican lawmaker calls on Gov. Evers to activate National Guard to 'restore safety' in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- A Republican lawmaker is calling on Gov. Tony Evers to activate the Wisconsin National Guard to help "restore safety" in the City of Milwaukee after a string of multiple shootings over the weekend. 

Republican Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) weighed in on the ongoing gun violence in Milwaukee on Tuesday, June 15 after a violent weekend left 11 injured and three dead in 13 confirmed shootings.

In a statement, Sanfellippo called on Gov. Evers to activate the Wisconsin National Guard to help "restore safety in Milwaukee neighborhoods."

"Providing public safety is one of the fundamental responsibilities of government," Sanfelippo said. "The local elected officials in Milwaukee are failing to live up to this obligation which is why I am calling on Governor Evers to activate the Wisconsin National Guard to help restore safety in Milwaukee neighborhoods. The vast majority of citizens living in Milwaukee are peace-loving, law-abiding citizens who deserve better than to live and work in a warzone-like setting." 

Sanfelippo further stated the necessary changes are falling on deaf ears.

"Until we take real action to prioritize the safety of the innocent people in our neighborhoods and begin to address the many fundamental problems in our criminal justice system, we are resigning ourselves and our communities to further never-ending cycles of violence," Sanfelippo said.

.@RepSanfelippo weighs in on the ongoing gun violence in the City of Milwaukee. A violent weekend in left 11 injured, 3 dead in 13 confirmed shootings.https://t.co/1TMjcE7orppic.twitter.com/vRF8Ry5zSL

— Emilee Fannon (@Emilee_Fannon) June 15, 2021

Evers dismissed Sanfelippo's request.

"We respond when people ask us to do that," Evers said. "It's not the state's job to force the National Guard into a situation."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said sending the National Guard is unnecessary, but said he would welcome funding from the state for more law enforcement.

"I am concerned about the long-term viability for the city to provide for the police department," Barrett said. "And that's where he is in a key position to help us."

Evers welcomed Sanfelippo to work with him on other methods of violence prevention. State Rep David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, wants the state to match millions in funding for community-oriented violence prevention in cities across Wisconsin.

"We can't afford not to make these contributions in our community, in our neighborhoods, in these community-driven approaches that will reduce violence," Bowen said.