Two Milwaukee Safety Measures on Hold as Alderman Questions City’s Authority

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin — Two proposals aimed at curbing violence in downtown Milwaukee’s entertainment districts have been stalled, leaving local leaders questioning how much power the city actually holds over the area.

Alderman Robert Bauman has put a hold on a measure that would have directed multiple city agencies to draft a plan for security perimeters around downtown entertainment districts, including potential fences or weapon checkpoints near busy areas like Water Street. The proposal was introduced last month in response to two deadly shootings near downtown bars this spring.

“There’s that question as to what authority the city actually has to police these entertainment districts and to set regulations for these entertainment districts,” Bauman said.

The security zone idea was sidelined as another effort to reduce violence also remains on ice. A curfew that would have forced downtown food trucks to close at 10 p.m. instead of 1 a.m. is stalled by an ongoing lawsuit. A judge put a hold on the curfew change, asking the city for more evidence.

“There’s no litigation pending over the food truck regulation, and this is in the same neighborhood in terms of regulatory authority,” Bauman noted.

Bauman now wants downtown business improvement districts to take a more active role. “For many months, they’ve been urging us to take action and take action,” he said. “They head for the hills. So at this point, you know, they have to step up or we’re going to step back.”

A reporter reached out to both the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Westown Business Improvement District for comment on what they would like to see done about downtown violence but did not receive a response.

One downtown visitor described the weekend atmosphere on Water Street as “sketchy.” Another observer expressed skepticism about the proposed food truck curfew, saying, “I don’t think it will do much for safety. I think it more so… this is unfortunate for the owners.”

With both measures now stalled, no immediate timeline exists for advancing either proposal.