The recent police killing of Samuel Sharpe in Milwaukee has reignited concerns over safety and disinvestment in Black communities, particularly in the context of the Republican National Convention (RNC). Even before the RNC began, Milwaukee residents expressed fears about community safety and the potential for over-policing, fears that sadly materialized when several out-of-town police officers killed Sharpe this week.
The increase in policing and the heightened risk of violent encounters have been major concerns for many local organizers and residents. A collective of Black and Southeast Asian social justice organizations released a statement in response to Sharpe’s killing, criticizing the increased police presence as “an imposition made without our consent.”
“We knew that bringing the RNC, without community input, would heighten the risks and make our city less safe,” read the statement. “Elected officials chose policing over the well-being of our community, placing Black and Brown residents directly in harm’s way.”
Maya Neal, executive director of the Wisconsin Civic Power Table, discussed community safety concerns and the increased reliance on policing in an interview with NewsOne ahead of the RNC. “When you see large events like this, you see an increase in police presence,” she said. “A lot of quality-of-life policing, which is like harassing homeless people, harassing sex workers…setting up imaginary borders, those kinds of things. And that often has a very negative impact on people of color and poor folks.”
Despite Milwaukee’s significant Black population, Neal pointed out that Black residents are disproportionately impacted by over-policing, the criminal legal system, and economic struggles. Reporting by Wisconsin Watch in late 2023 highlighted that driving-age Black Milwaukee residents were eight times more likely to experience stop-and-frisk and 4.5 times more likely to be stopped while driving than their white counterparts.
Sharpe’s killing occurred about a mile from the RNC’s security perimeter, involving five officers from Columbus, Ohio, who intervened in an alleged altercation unrelated to the RNC. During a press conference, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson expressed sadness over the events and extended thoughts to Sharpe’s family and the officers involved. However, his remarks seemed to absolve the officers.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley released a statement calling for “full accountability and transparency” in the investigation. Yet, these calls for accountability often ring hollow, echoing the sentiment of “thoughts and prayers” without leading to substantial change.
The community’s concerns about safety and over-policing were not unfounded, and Sharpe’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the need for genuine community input and protection in policing practices.
