This browser does not support the Video element.
Mayor Barrett presents State of the City address
Mayor Barrett presents State of the City address
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett laid out the city's challenges and progress Monday, March 11 during his annual "State of the City" address at Fiserv Forum.
"The State of our City continues to improve. Overall, our economy is stronger, our neighborhoods are safer, and our future is brighter," said Mayor Barrett. "Of course we have challenges, and we need people across Milwaukee, and beyond, to come together to address these challenges, and make sure Milwaukee is an inclusive, respectful, and fair city."
During the speech, Mayor Barrett highlighted key moments for the city -- citing declines in crime.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett gives State of the City address
"Last year, carjackings were down 7 percent, more guns were recovered, fewer Shot Spotter alerts were detected and both fatal and non-fatal shootings were down markedly," Barrett said.
The mayor said there were also gains in affordable housing.
"Since we launched the Strong Neighborhood program in 2014, we have put more than 2,200 properties back into the market and added close to $100 million to the tax base," Barrett said.
But for each step forward, a setback was also cited.
"Unfortunately, in a little over one year, five city employees gave their lives while doing their jobs," Barrett said.
Three Milwaukee police officers died in the line of duty in June 2018, July 2018 and February 2019. Mayor Barrett said he will encourage people to apply for jobs at MPD.
Officer Charles Irvine Jr., Officer Michael Michalski, Officer Matthew RIttner
"Each of these individuals arrived at work believing, as we all do, that they would return home when their work was done. And, I can tell you, the families of all of these individuals feel crushing sadness and loss. Milwaukee feels crushing sadness and loss. We remember them with deep appreciation," said Mayor Barrett.
2018 brought a change at the Milwaukee Health Department after state officials found the law was broken and officials failed to protect children whose blood tested high for lead.
City of Milwaukee
"When I took office, almost 35 percent of the children tested had lead levels above the CDC’s safety thresholds. We have made continual progress in reducing the number of children with high lead levels. Milwaukee remains a leader in the number of children tested for lead. This is good news and progress," said Mayor Barrett. "So, when people ask me, 'How's Milwaukee doing?' I tell them we are fighting back."
Below is a complete transcript of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s State of the City address, delivered Monday, March 11: