Missing Boys Are Hot Topic at Forum: Residents Also Quiz Candidates on Police Inquests, Incarceration
By Felicia Thomas-Lynn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Mar. 26–At a candidates’ forum in Milwaukee’s central city Saturday two missing boys were on the minds of those seeking political office, as well as residents who attended.
"Some of the toughest crimes we have are crimes against our children," Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said at the forum held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2207 N. 2nd St.
Lautenschlager, who is seeking re-election this fall, brought to mind Alexis Patterson, the missing 7-year-old who disappeared in May 2002, and the two missing boys — Purvis Virginia Parker, 11, and Quadrevion Henning, 12, who have been missing a week.
"There are between 500 and 800 children missing in the state," she said. "Ninety-eight percent return in 24 hours."
Along with Lautenschlager, other candidates stumping for votes included: Jane Carroll and J.D. Watts, who are running for Milwaukee County circuit judge in the April 4 election; Lautenschlager’s opponent Kathleen Falk; David A. Clarke Jr., Vince Bobot and Donald R. Holt, who are running for Milwaukee County sheriff; and Lee R. Jones and John T. Chisholm, both running for district attorney.
During the forum, a resident asked why pictures of the two missing children aren’t on public buses. Fliers showing their faces and descriptions are posted throughout Milwaukee but have apparently failed to reach the more than 400 public buses.
"I will contact the transit authority and make sure that that happens," said Clarke, who called for a moment of silence for the safe return of the boys.
Others at the forum, sponsored the Community Brainstorming Conference, pointed to faults within the state’s Amber Alert System that prevented information about the boys from being posted.
"The Amber Alert was designed for a particular kind of abduction," Holt said. "It needs to be revised to accommodate this."
Police inquests, incarceration
Most of the questions at the forum were aimed at the two district attorney candidates, with residents wanting to know how they would handle inquests into police-related shootings and the high incarceration rate for black men.
Jones said he is an advocate of deferring jail time for minor drug offenses, particularly if there is substance abuse involved. "There is a revolving door at the jail," he said. "Probationary needs are not addressed. We need to get them into treatment."
Chisholm agreed that the non-violent offenders have to be identified before their drug crimes become more serious offenses.
As for whether either would approve of having the attorney general’s office conduct inquests into police shootings, Jones said he would welcome the intervention, at least temporarily, in an effort to restore public trust to the office.
Chisholm said he would also support the attorney general getting involved. "I firmly believe the Department of Justice should include a dedicated team of investigators who investigate all police-related shootings and in-custody deaths," Chisholm said.
Prosecution, though, could be a different story, he said. "Prosecution in some cases would be appropriate for the attorney general or special prosecutor, but I don’t think you should remove all power from the district attorney, because they are the most accountable at the local level."
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Copyright (c) 2006, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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