October
2006
Sheriff Clarke Brought on Cuts to His Own Department
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, but Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker cut the budget of his political ally, Sheriff David Clarke.
Clarke's actions gave Walker the ammunition necessary to make the cut. Clarke's actions showed he had enough resources in his department, enough to even duplicate the efforts of the City of Milwaukee Police Department.
It was Clarke who made the decision to send out Deputy Schuh, a 50-something-year-old deputy, to walk foot patrol in one of the roughest parts of the city, and it was Clarke's orders that Schuh do it without a partner.
Patroling city streets is the responsibility of the City of Milwaukee Police Department — not the Sheriff's Department. There are always exceptions and times when different departments cross lines, often in emergency situations, but the case of Schuh was a case of discipline — not an emergency. Deputy Schuh made the mistake of publicly criticizing Clarke in his union newsletter — a crime punishable with an unpartnered street patrol.
Union officials may want to think twice about publishing the names of deputies who are critical of Clarke in their newsletter. Next time, Clarke could put them in life-threatening situations.
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An interesting add-on tidbit for union officials who might be reading this — you'll notice that the majority of the posts from pro-Clarke supporters who respond in the comment section of this blog don't use their real names. If they love him and won't publish their real names, then why should you take the extra risk to publish the names of deputies critical of Clarke when it is the ideas, not the author, which are important?
Jim McGuigan
Clarke Watch, Jim McGuigan
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Who says anyone has to use their real name? And how can you tell if it’s really the person they say they are?
And why would you be worried that Sheriff Clarke himself would be reading this lefty blogsite? I think he has more important things to do other than keeping up regularly with local lefty blogsites.
I’m sick about hearing about “Poor Deputy Schuh”. This is a well-trained, experienced law enforcement officer who is armed with a semi-automatic firearm. He is more than qualified to walk a beat in the central city. What about the people who live in those neighborhoods who don’t have the training, experience, and protection like Deputy Schuh had?
If I bitched out my boss the way that Schuh did, I would NOT have had a job the next day. Where’s the union/media to protect me?
I take that back - I just deleted your most recent one.
Look, nobody here asked for your name and we do appreciate our readers — which is why we’re enforcing the No Insult policy. We want discussion on this site to be productive.
As for Deputy Schuh - put yourself in the shoes of the people who live in the neighborhood he was assigned to patrol. Would you want a deputy patrolling your neighborhood if he was assigned there as punishment. It was childish and irresponsible of Clarke of no service to that neighborhood, and a reflection of Clarke’s incompetent manageent style. Would you respect your boss if he did that to you? Of course not.
Any MPD foot patrol in a high crime is a two-person patrol. On the hill, for example, it’s a two-man patrol and the cops are on bikes.
If you want a union, ya gotta organize one. If CWA won’t take your communications bargaining unit, I’m sure SEIU would be interested.
The Schuh thing IS unfortunate, but look at the danger the department and the city streets are in because people are undermining the Sheriff, and bashing him publicly. This can’t be good for any of the department, pro-Clarke or not. Once this next election is offer, this beef needs to be squashed by both sides.
sorry I meant “over” not “offer”
You’ve got to be kidding. You’re actually trying to blame crime on Milwaukee streets to people who disagree with Clarke publicly saying why he’s a disgrace?
Unfrigginbelievable.
That’s the same lame, sad sac argument that President Bush used when he implied that anybody who didn’t support his position was supporting terrorists.
BUNK !
I think the people who live in the neighborhood where Schuh was on foot patrol were happy just to have ANY law enforcement on their street whether it was an MPD cop or Sheriff’s deputy. Why would Schuh not protect the people in the neighborhood any differenly because he was placed their by his boss? Aren’t all patrols assigned by a superior? If Schuh is selective as to how he protects the citizens because of a personal beef with his boss, then Schuh is NOT a good deputy and needs to be fired. They have an oath to serve and protect…regardless of whether or not they like their boss.
Jim - Don’t friggin twist my words around! We usually agree on things, but history shows that if a leader is made to appear weaker than he is by his own, there is a negative fall out. I am not blaming crime on people who disagree with Clarke, but wake up man! I can’t believe even you buy into this nonsense. You sound like a stinking robot being programmed to say things negative about Clarke. Think for yourself brother! I ani’t voting for him, but this anti-Clarke crap is a bit much. Put Bobot in his position with the everything remaining the same, and you would be touting the success of the department. I see right through you, McGuigan!
Mike,
I won’t disagree with you that people are happy to be protected. The point is that tax dollars are used most efficiently when all parties do their tasks. The responsibility to police streets belongs to the MPD, not the Sheriff’s dept.
Don’t forget — Schuh was assigned to the non-deputy responsibility as a way to punish him. If Clarke wanted to show the community that he cared about it, he would have sent out his most valued and trusted people.
Monte,
Do you think that the fact that we bring Clarke’s shortcomings and abuses of his office to light that we are making Clarke look weaker than he is? Don’t you think that Clarke has a responsibility to look as strong as he can all by himself?
Nobody in the inner city wants an uncoordinated, rash and childish law enforcement strategy from the sheriff (who needs to coordinate if deputies are there because it’s not his jurisdiction) or from the police. And certainly not ANY law enforcement (Bartlett, Masarik, Spengler anyone?)
But, hey, we don’t have a policing strategy from Mayor Barrett or Chief Heggerdy, and only a few on our common council (D’Amato, Hines, Murphy, Wade) seem to think the city should have one before creating new police positions.
How about a coordinated law enforcement and community corrections strategy for Milwaukee? Mayor Barrett? Chief Heggerdy? Clarke? Holt?
The silence is deafening.
I agree that the silence is deafning. When Clarke put Schuh on foot patrol he touted it as a “Pilot Program.” It’s funny that Clarke talks about being there for the peoples protection, but when it’s time to produce it’s nothing. Let’s see G.R.I.P. to take guns off the street, now gone. Freeway patrols response time and serving the users of the freeway. Now less freeway patrols. Heck, I ran 95mph the other day without a freeway squad to be seen. Witness Protection, protection of threatened witnesses. 100% sucess rate.Nowadays some cases lose witnesses and the case.
Bottom line Clarke is all balloon juice and no action. On the script he’s great. His writers are outstanding. He’s all about the safety and protection of us citizens. Of course he’s a significant voice in the area (according to talk radio).
Of course when its crunch time he shuns the responsibility, does not take on any issues. And is nothing but a phony.
Yes our leaders stay in line with past practice of reactionary solutions to the problems. Sheriff Clarke claims to be a leader, why doesn’t he grab the bull by the horns and really do something. It’s time for Clarke to put up or shut up.
Lets get back to the Sheriffs Dept being the second largest law enforcement agency in the state. Let’s return the pride to the men and women of the MCSD and let them as a team assist the other municipalities in curbing crime.
Michael - 95mph? and you are worried about safety on the freeway?
Facts are facts folks… there are less squads on the freeway. I know. GRIP is NOW TEU. Targeted Enforcement UNit … which means he’s paying for it with patrol dollars now NOT federal funding. Don’t expect to see squads back on the freeway anytime soon. You see, TEU runs two man squads not the usual one person to a squad like patrol. So each TEU squad represents 2 patrol cars you won’t see. Argue that all you want, I’m Right. Pray for a light winter and pray you are NOT involved in an accident during a snow storm… you will wait and wait for help to arrive… More with Less is the motto of Clarke. That too is a FACT you can’t argue as it has been written and read to all roll calls. Also, SUPERVISORS DO NOT assign all patrols… in SCHUH’S case CLARKE himself assigned Schuh to his patrol. He only walked along for a day due to the PRESS coverage. You know, free press is the best press. Clarke will win, yes folks and I HATE that fact, simply because citizens have no idea as to what goes on behind the walls of the Sheriff’s office. Maybe a terrible winter is what we need, that seems to be the only way to get people to understand. When their way of life is altered, when their daily routine is interupted, when they freeze in a snow storm waiting for one fo the four deputies working the freeway to arrive to save them……maybe,maybe… but by then it will be too late to change the fact that clarke sucks as a sheriff. Folks swallow your prides and vote ABC
ABC ANYONE BUT CLARKE
David has made comments on his plans regarding there being more squads on the freeway during the bad weather months. As it gets closer to snow storm weather, I am sure you will see more squad cars on the freeway.
Bill-
Where are these squads coming from?? The 6 deputies assigned to each shift can only drive one car apiece. I fail to see HOW and WHERE these additional squads are coming from. Did his highness explain where these extra squads were coming from? Cudahy? Oak Creek? Milwaukee PD? State Patrol? I fail to see where he will get the bodies from in the MCSO. The TEU is too busy jacking up inner city drivers to have time to write accident reports on the Xway. So I fail to see the extra squads becoming a reality. Political promise - yup. Truth? … ah - nope.
Bill Stocks,
I’m just stating that there is a free for all with drivers on the freeway. No squads to enforce the law. You bet safety is a concern. The freeway patrol was one of the best services in Milw. County. You became disabled, a squad was there. Accident within 3 minutes squads on the scene. Speed kills and usually its the person speeding. No squads to enforce the law. Just making a point Bill.
As in the past, yes squads will be covering accidents and such during storms. Deputies from other places, such as TEU will be there assisting the citizens. But watch the non snow days, same o, same o.
Clarke has not reinvented the wheel. He has done nothing to enhance the safety of the citizens of Milwaukee County.
I don’t see what the problem is with not as many squads when there is less accidents vs. more squads when there are more accidents based on weather conditions. I don’t have a problem with him taking from TEU to make the freeway safer, or adding to TEU when the freeway is under safer conditions. (Seems kind of practical to me.)
Michael - I understand your point, but you have to admit 95mph is pretty unsafe with or without the squads there.
Bill,
When all is said in done that is great but I will tell you now. TEU Will not be out there when the snow is flying. That isn’t what the TEU is for. They simply patrol high crime area’s. And lets put it this way the TEU only works 8 hours a day. They don’t work all 3 shifts. Hope you don’t get stuck on your way home from work at 5 pm. Because TEU won’t even be at work yet.