'Things will get worse:' Police union president speaks on proposed cuts at public hearing on city budget

MILWAUKEE -- FOX6 News on Monday, Oct. 7 asked Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales about cuts to his department in the 2020 budget proposal, ahead of the first opportunity for the public to weigh in on the proposal Monday evening.

"When you reduce, or your response times drop, when your community interaction drops and the businesses aren't able to see law enforcement, they don't feel safe," said Chief Morales. "They shut down."

The Milwaukee Common Council chambers at City Hall were packed, with representatives from community organizations explaining to city leaders what changes they'd like to see in the budget -- namely the Milwaukee Police Association.

"Crimes will go unsolved," said Shawn Lauda, MPA president. "Criminals will be emboldened, as there's less law enforcement. That will equal more opportunity for criminals."

Lauda stood before city leaders and expressed opposition to parts of the proposed budget which includes cuts to the Milwaukee Police Department -- as many as 60 positions that would be eliminated through attrition in 2020. This, as Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the city faces challenges related to rising pension and public safety costs, with MPD's budget larger than the property tax levy for the city.

"A serious degradation of police and community relations will occur," said Lauda. "Things we've worked on for so long and care about will get worse."

Others said the budget proposal doesn't include enough cuts to MPD.

"By spending almost 50 cents out of every dollar in this budget on the Milwaukee Police Department, this budget will undermine street repair and clean drinking water," said Paul Spink, AFSCME president.

Spink said money needs to be spread out across city services.

"The police, for all of the valuable work they do, cannot fix the violence, prevent the crime, and address poverty in this city alone," said Spink.

Alderwoman Milele Coggs issued this statement on the budget proposal on Friday, Oct. 4, ahead of the start of public hearings:

The Common Council is scheduled to adopt the budget Nov. 8.

CLICK HERE to access the budget hearing schedule.