Near West Side Safety and Security

Last year the intersection of North 35th Street and West Wisconsin Avenue had many issues with panhandling; consequently a few of our residents and businesses began to make their complaints known to Near West Side Partners staff, Milwaukee Police Department and the local alderman.

“Activity was getting so bad we received calls from business and organizations several blocks to the west about the activity”, remembers Keith Stanley, executive director of NWSP.

Many of our businesses and organizations had seen the negative side effects of the panhandling with a number panhandlers deterring customers and attracting other unwanted illegal activity.

Through collaboration with the Community Prosecution Unit and Milwaukee Police Department NWSP had seen success with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) surveys with other businesses like the Department of Children and Families at the intersection of north 27th Street and West Wisconsin Avenue. CPTED surveys identify areas of weakness that the environment presents that lead to an increase in crime and provide simple strategies to deter such activity.

NWSP Security Ambassadors completed a CPTED survey to highlight issues at the Walgreens location near the 35th and Wisconsin Avenue location. In addition, top-level management of Walgreens were open to addressing the issues and were committed to following the CPTED principles. The Milwaukee Police Department increased their active patrols and even placed squad cars for extended periods of time in the area to address the illegal activity. Business Improvement District #10 provided their support by funding the NWSP Security Ambassadors. NWSP supported Alderman Terry Witkowski's program "Keep the Change" and installed signs associated with the program in most of our retail businesses including Walgreens. Walgreens actually went further with additional signage.

The CPTED survey conducted encouraged increased signage, proactive management, security patrols, and several improved security features for the store. Signage like the "A" frame in the picture and well trained security guards have decreased the panhandling and also have improved the intersection with a 80% decrease in police calls for service.

"What a difference a year makes!", Ryan Harris of Walgreens and NWSP board member exclaimed as he recalled the major issues that affected Walgreens last summer. "NWSP has shown a partnership that has proven to be positive for businesses in the area."