Alders Phair and Cheeks Issue Commitment to Curb Gang Influence and Gun Violence in Madison

Announce Plans to Focus Resources on Several Specific Initiatives

In light of recent gang violence, Alders Matt Phair and Maurice Cheeks are calling on the community to heed Chief Koval’s warning that Madison has to “get a grip on this.”  As alders representing neighborhoods in Madison’s southwest side, they are chiefly aware of these persistent safety concerns. Alders Phair and Cheeks are committed to leading a broad community effort to directly address issues related to gang influence on young people as well as gun violence.

To begin to address the complexities of these serious issues, they are specifically committed to:

• Supporting the police department’s gang task force and violent crimes unit with a willingness to consider increasing one or both in future budgets.
• Strengthening youth mentorship initiatives aimed at steering young people to positive outcomes, with a focus on middle and high school youth.
• Working with community partners to initiate and promote a gun buy-back program.
• Accelerating the work between the City and the Madison Metropolitan School District to increase access to out-of-school-time programming for at-risk youth.
• Working with city staff to get a strategic neighborhood center plan in place.

“Gang and gun violence is and has been a serious creeping issue in our community.  It is past time that all Madisonians acknowledge it and take action to address it,” said Ald. Phair.  “We are committed to working with our Council colleagues, the Mayor’s office, neighborhood leaders and anyone else who steps up, to get this done.”

“The existence of violent crime impacts all Madison residents, but it particularly plagues families in our low income neighborhoods and communities of color,” said Ald. Cheeks.  “We know that all young people in Madison need to see hope for their future and want to feel safe in their communities.  We look forward to working with the community to ensure that this is true for all of our residents as we continue to grow as a constructive and prosperous city.