Milwaukee's Violent Crime Crisis

The FBI's Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report for 2006 doesn't paint a very pretty picture of Milwaukee.

While violent crime saw a 1.3% increase nationwide, Milwaukee's violent crime rate rose by a whopping 27.7% from 2005 to 2006.

From The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee faced one of the highest increases nationwide, according to the report, joining cities such as Oakland, Calif.; Jackson, Miss.; and Las Vegas with violent crime increases over 25%.

"Cities all over the country are grappling with an increase in violent crime," Mayor Tom Barrett said. "As far as I'm concerned, one homicide, one robbery is too much in our city. While we need to continue to focus on homeland security, at the same time we must focus on hometown security."

Violent crimes - classified as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault - rose 1.3% nationwide. In the Midwest, the increase was 2.1%. Madison had a 14.2% increase, and Green Bay 12.3%.

...Barrett attributed the rise in crime to a decline in funds for the community-oriented policing service program and the need for responsible gun legislation. Barrett recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to call for restoration of funding to the program.

Barrett's excuses for the situation in Milwaukee are just that -- excuses.

If the "decline in funds for the community-oriented policing service program" was to blame, then why didn't the rest of the nation see comparable increases in violence?

Why would less funds cause a 27.7% increase in Milwaukee but only a 1.3% increase nationwide and a 2.1% increase in the Midwest?

Clearly, there are other factors in Milwaukee that account for the increase.

Only two states, Wisconsin and Illinois, prohibit citizens from carrying guns, offering NO right-to-carry laws.

Barrett can't claim that Wisconsin is lacking in responsible gun legislation when compared with other states. From a national perspective, Wisconsin isn't lenient in its gun laws.

Blaming a lack of federal funds and irresponsible gun legislation for Milwaukee's crime problems is a convenient diversion for Barrett.

Those excuses don't hold up. Look at the numbers.