Borkowski: Crack down on violent crime

With all the positives happening in Milwaukee, especially downtown, there is one thing that could bring it all to a screeching halt: the reality and perception of violent juvenile crime.

Thanks to state Sen. Leah Vukmir and state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, legislation providing greater consequences to young offenders has been introduced in the Legislature.

It is neither normal nor acceptable for a youth to have and carry a sawed-off shotgun. Quite frankly, why should a young person be in possession of a firearm unless out hunting with his or her family? The only reason is mayhem.

In some cases, the court system and prosecutors want to rehabilitate and provide seemingly endless second chances to youths in the hope of changing their ways. How many chances does someone get? The answer is not as many as it takes.

It is fair to ask: By the time a youth is 15, and has an extensive criminal record already, can he or she be saved? This may sound harsh, but so is the trauma suffered by victims. Who is “saveable”? How about the 10- or 11-year old who has already started to steal cars? Maybe there can be some services for that child who is still young enough?

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More services are not the answer. This community ought to thank taxpayers for the millions of dollars already being invested. Part of the problem is that there is no “clearing house” of what services are available and for whom. How many of these services are duplicated? How about audits of these programs to determine their effectiveness? What is really needed?

We hear excuses as to why this is taking place. And, yes, there are rough situations and backgrounds. But none of that provides a license to act violently. People of all ages know right from wrong — and they surely know that violence is wrong — yet it continues to happen. Why? Because there are not enough significant consequences and the behavior is repeated.

It is time for boot camp and some discipline. How many wayward people have joined the military and been positively changed? Call it tough love or whatever, but the philosophy that has been going on in this community is to make excuses or to look the other way. This does not work in a civilized society. You cannot save everyone.

This is why legislators such as Vukmir and Sanfelippo have started the process: Enough is enough. Some will say this legislation isn’t tough enough. Well, it is a starting point and I thank them.

Mark A. Borkowski is a Milwaukee alderman, representing the 11th District.