MPD stepping up security to prevent violence after lakefront fireworks
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Charles Benson reports Video by wtmj.com
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MILWAUKEE- Milwaukee police stepped up patrols to avoid a repeat of last year's violence in the Riverwest neighborhood after the lakefront fireworks.
Police admit they learned some lessons from last year's chaos. This year they've got more brass and more boots on the ground.
"We have 60 plus officers and supervisors assigned specifically to this mission," said District Five Police Captain Terrence Gordon.
He says that's more than last year.
It's all to make sure there are no problems this year. Out of control teenagers looted the BP gas station at North and Humboldt after the fireworks and nearly a dozen people were attacked in the nearby Kilbourn Reservoir Park.
The plan this year is to have 24-hour BP gas station on Humboldt to close down as the crowd makes its way from the lakefront up North Street and then reopen a little later when it's safe.
"Obviously we did learn some lessons from last year," said Captain Gordon.
He told TODAY'S TMJ4's Charles Benson the goal is to keep the crowd moving and there's a reason why.
"There's less of an opportunity for them to congregate in groups and get group think going," said Gordon.
Riverwest resident Tim Salmon biked to the fireworks this year and has no worries about biking home after what happened last year.
"I knew the police would have a strong presence, it was just one of those quirk things," said Salmon. "It was just a bunch of stupid teenagers out being stupid."
Police Chief Edward Flynn was also out on patrol during the lakefront fireworks.
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