Milwaukee sees increase in violent crime.

• Author: Zemlicka, Jack

Byline: Jack Zemlicka

Milwaukee has seen a dramatic increase in violent crime during the past year. A study by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), comparing violent crime rates from the first six months of 2006 to the same period in 2005, revealed a 32.72 percent overall increase in violent crime in Milwaukee this year. Of the 55 cities studied, Milwaukee was second only to Minneapolis (33.76 percent). Numbers indicate the impact has been reported by local law enforcement agencies, but how has the crime crunch affected the county court system? According to Milwaukee County Circuit Court officials, the alleged spike in violent crime has not necessarily produced an overall increase in caseload, though specific courts are equipped for increases. Milwaukee County Clerks of Courts John Barrett pointed to the county's specialty courts and their ability to absorb fluctuating case loads. In terms of violent crime, the county has three domestic violence courts, which handle felony assault cases, three homicide courts and three drug courts. "The courts certainly have enough to handle as it is, but in some areas, the caseloads may fluctuate year to year," said Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts John Barrett. "I think it varies over time, but ultimately is relatively consistent." Timothy G. Dugan, presiding judge of the Felony Division in Milwaukee noted that the drug courts have been overwhelmed to the point that cases needed to be filtered into general felony court. "Delegation of caseload to each division, along with cases handled in the general felony court allows for some level of flexibility, but each division has a full plate, regardless of statistics," said Sarah Gunn, Criminal Division Administrator. Milwaukee County court data revealed that for violent crimes cases, only substantial battery filings increased during the first six months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. The courts witnessed a 37 percent increase with 173 cases handled the first half of this year, compared to 126 cases in 2005. Filings for armed and unarmed robbery decreased during the six-month span from 140 to 126 and 204 to 193, respectively. That data is contrary to PERF findings which claimed a 36 percent...