Common Ground announced this week an initiative to hold leaders accountable for safety on the South Side and the creation of a nonprofit to support tenants across the city.
More than 850 people gathered Sunday to hear about the organization’s plans. Common Ground is a nonpartisan coalition that addresses community issues.
Most recently, the coalition has worked to reform the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, or HACM, and to provide free driver’s education for teens throughout Wisconsin.
Common Ground leaders said the coalition spent 10 months speaking with community members before launching the new efforts.
Safety campaign
At the assembly, South Siders discussed their personal experiences with violence. Common Ground leaders shared some quotes from surveying residents.
People said:
- “I do not let my kids outside unless I’m with them.”
- “I like to walk but I don’t want to be robbed. I want to be free to walk where I want.”
- “Police only come for emergencies.”
- “We shouldn’t have to wait 6 hours for a cop to come when we report an incident.”
- “I want to see the police more. I want to feel safe. I want better for my community.”
South Side resident Anne Rachwal said she was beaten up and had bleach poured over her head in broad daylight.
“The police’s response, or should I say lack of response, was embarrassing,” she said.
St. Hyacinth parishioner Jose González shared his experiences.
“I used to live on 14th and Roger,” said González. “We moved after five gunshots from the drug house across the street went through our porch, two walls and entered my 11-year-old son’s room. I’ve never felt so powerless and scared as a father.”
Common Ground leaders said the City Attorney’s Office, representatives from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, the Fire and Police Commission and the Common Council have committed to working with residents.
“We must do and demand better,” Common Council President José Pérez said. “We have a steadfast commitment to call out injustice when it occurs.”
Common Ground plans to release a safety plan in the coming months.
Tenants United
During its HACM Campaign, Common Ground helped tenants of public housing organize themselves into a tenants union.
On Sunday, Common Ground also launched Tenants United, a nonprofit organization of tenants and homeowner allies dedicated to representing tenant interests and holding corporate landlords accountable.
“Despite more than a decade of public discussion about our city’s housing problems, things are worse today, not better,” said Kiante Shields, a Tenants Union member,. “Rentership is up. Rent prices have soared while income has declined. Out-of-state investors own more and more. Health hazards are widespread. What’s missing from the public discussion is the need to hold landlords accountable! We are going to do that.”
For more information
To keep up with all that Common Ground is doing , you can go to its website.
To join the safety campaign or learn more about it, you can visit the Common Ground website.
To join Tenants United or find more information, you can go to the Tenant’s United website.
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