we're here today to send a message the message we're sending is that we're here now the neighborhoods in districts three five and seven have seen a 60% increase in shootings in just three months that's 179 shootings that's too many we had a great half year we are on Pace to have the lowest number of shootings in at least six years not anymore there's too much violence and too many kids that would be using this playground don't because they have to live in fear too many people that should be walking up and down these streets don't because they're living in fear they don't because there's bullies and hoodlums and punks that think because they have a gun they might actually win a fight for once in their life well they're wrong they don't get to terrorize these people while we're here now we can't fix everything in a day we can't fix it all in a week but we can be smart we can analyze our data and make sure that we focus you on the times the places and the people most likely to use violence on their neighborhood that's what you're going to do tonight we've got District three District 5 district 7 the neighborhood task force the major incident response team the criminal investigations Bureau we've got the motorcycles the horses and the dogs we've got everybody out here and each of you has a defined mission tonight tonight is not just about generating numbers tonight is about having an impact on crime fear and disorder in our most troubled neighborhoods the people that live there are Americans who deserve the right free Americans have everywhere which is the walk in peace and not be troubled by those with guns your job is to turn this neighborhood back to its residents it's not going to happen in a day or a week but we're going to stay focused we manage our overtime so we have it to spend when we need it and we're going to do that now now you know we've got a lot of stuff on our plate tonight we've got the code red downtown we've got the Cubs about to lose another game to the Brewers we've got the National Guard convention here we've got the usual activities on Water Street and downtown all of those are going to be covered no district is being affected by this deployment but this deployment is smart it's focused and it's about the people who live here now when you're out and about tonight I expect to see you duke traffic stops I expect field interviews I expect you to stop the right people cuz you know the number one accomplishment of this Police Department in these last few years has been the reduction of crime coupled with the maintenance of community support this community is on your side and it's on your side because you know how to behave you know how to treat people with respect when they deserve it now when you're out there talk to people explain what we're doing some of you will be on foot and B IES you'll have more time to do just that but keep your eyes open remember your officer safety tactics you've been briefed on the groups we looking to dismantle and disrupt you've been briefed on the individuals who are looking to lock up if we can and those we can't lock up we're going to make sure they know we're here and the words are going to be not tonight you've done fine work so far this year I'm very impressed with your commitment with your f focus with your energy and your drive and tonight some neighborhoods that have had a real hard time of it these last couple of months are going to be the beneficiaries of your commitment and your courage so on their behalf I thank you now we're going to take a moment because I think we're going to need all the help we can get and Reverend David BLS has asked if he might say a prayer over you before you go out there and confront those people that need to be confronted It's been a already reported in the press that so far this year we've had a dramatic upsurge in the numbers of assaults on police officers with Firearms here in Milwaukee we've seen an increase in shootings involving our officers and those same increases are being reported across the country we're not the only city that's had a spike in shootings this summer Philadelphia Chicago Detroit Toledo a number of other cities are reporting the same thing and those same cities are reporting increases and armed encounters with offenders so look to yourselves remember your tactics keep your body armor on and back each other up Reverend BLS speaking of backup we're going to ask for some really big time backup right now Lord Our God we call upon thy holy name right now asking you if you would just please hear us as we call your name we realize and know that you have all power and all good is only what you can do I pray from the chief to all those that are under his Direction a special blessing God would you watch over them and protect them in ways that they would never thought could occur because I know you can do this teach us all to love one another and to reach out to those that know anything about it bless and touch everyone and as I Ask of your blessings hear us while we say in the name of God Almighty we say thank you in God's name we do pray amen amen mayor would you like to say a few words thank you Chief and I just want to thank the men and women who work for the Milwaukee Police Department on behalf of the citizens of the city of Milwaukee I want to thank you for what you do you obviously put your lives on the line every single day for the people of this community and the people appreciate it as I walked around the neighborhood here they're happy to see you here the people in this neighborhood are happy you are here because you are here to give them a safe place to live and those are the that's the main message we're sending is the people who live on 28th and Clark deserve a safe neighborhood just as everyone in the state of Wisconsin deserves a state a safe neighborhood the other message is obviously for the bad guys the punks the hoodlums those who are trying to disrupt this community standing here we are sending the message that if you are going to disrupt our neighborhoods we're coming after you and that's what this is all about so again I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the citizens of this city for making this a safer city thank you very very much [Music]