Ald. Donovan urges release of crime reports requested by Journal Sentinel
-
Alderman Bob Donovan. | Photo: TODAY'S TMJ4 HD
MILWAUKEE - An often-outspoken alderman is asking the Milwaukee Police Department to release about 800 crime records which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has asked for in an open records request.
"I am urging Chief Flynn to release the 800 or so reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is seeking as soon as possible," said Alderman Bob Donovan in a statement.
"It does our city a disservice to have this back-and-forth fighting between the newspaper and the MPD, and with all due respect to Chief Flynn, the longer he withholds those reports the more it appears to some outside observers that he has something to hide."
Police Chief Edward Flynn has asked for at least $10,000 from the paper for the cost of processing that request..
Donovan also urged Mayor Tom Barrett to get involved in the matter.
The Journal Sentinel has made numerous news reports about incorrect crime reporting.
Their investigation revealed 500 assaults first logged as violent, but were downgraded to simple, less serious crimes in the reporting system.
Chief Flynn stormed out of a news conference on Wednesday when a Journal Sentinel reporter brought up the open records request.
"When it costs us thousands of dollars to feed you, we don't think your allegedly for profit enterprise should get that for free," said an angry Flynn before leaving the conference.
"For the sake of our citizens and our city, let’s get the records released, and let the chips fall where they may so we can all move on," added Donovan.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.