Wisconsin Right Now

Milwaukee Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district covers part of Water Street , wrote a constituent that "it appears no one wants to see strong enforcement" to stop the violence and chaos in the key entertainment district, even though he admitted its "viability" is "at risk." In the messages obtained by Wisconsin Right Now , Bauman blamed Mayor Tom Barrett, saying that Barrett is "calling the shots" and his plan is "not working." Bauman passed the buck and said there are "few options" and his own input was not requested. We asked for a sit-down interview with Barrett about the Water Street violence, but he declined an interview. His spokesman Jeff Fleming gave us this statement instead, "Multiple city departments are adapting their strategies to address unruly crowds downtown and elsewhere in Milwaukee.  Public works, the health department and the police department have coordinated new approaches aimed at maintaining safet