'Take Our Community Back Week' kicks off by highlighting crime prevention

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) -- Multiple organizations here in Milwaukee County are coming together for Wisconsin Voices' Take Our Community Back Week to fight for a safer community in and around Milwaukee.

"This is how we take back our community. This is how we stop violence. This is how we start talking to each other," said Wisconsin Voices Co-Executive Director of Organizational Empowerment Tomika Vukovic.

Vukovic says it took months to make Take Back Our Community Week a reality, by partnering with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Milwaukee Fire, Glendale city officials, 4th District State Senator Lena Taylor, Crime Stoppers and more, to make it all happen.

Vukovic says as an alderwoman in Glendale, she wants to show violence isn't just one municipality's problem.

"We have the same problems as Milwaukee does, as Wauwatosa, as West Allis, and if we can come together, together, and not keep saying it's one or the other, that is how we're going to solve things," said Vukovic.

Senator Taylor spoke at the Monday Crime Stoppers kickoff, which featured a donation of gun locks to local law enforcement and 600 Crime Stoppers yard signs made available to anyone who wants one.

"Bringing the sheriff and municipalities like Glendale to be a partner, it was huge to see the financial donation they did, but also the donation of yard signs. In order to be able to spread the message was huge," said Senator Taylor.

Senator Taylor says she's excited for the rest of the week, too. For Gun Safety Awareness Tuesday, there will be a free concealed carry class.

"I'm coming back for the free CCW class. Right?" said Senator Taylor.

The theme for Wednesday will be Taking Care of Our Community, Thursday will be Advocacy Day, Friday is for youths with We Locked-In, and Saturday will be focused on mental health.

All events are open to the public.

"Come and participate in your own fate, you know, take part in your community," said Vukovic.

The events will be taking place at 5055 Lydell Avenue.

For more information click here.