Sen. Lena Taylor
Senator Taylor Calls for Smart Justice Reform
(MADISON) –State Sen. Lena Taylor attended a public hearing in Madison as a member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. There she listened to public testimony and spoke on the importance for smart justice reform, alternatives to incarceration, and corrections budgets that are dwarfing other critically needed state agencies.
Following the Committee Hearing, Senator Taylor released the following statement:
“There are currently 70,000 residents in the state’s correction’s system which includes those in incarceration, probation, monitoring, or some form of community corrections. The State GOP believes it is best to increase these numbers, which is outrageous.
Now more than ever, we need to implement smart justice reform to cut off the pipeline to prison. This means fighting for fair wages, quality education and stable communities. Instead of spending time, energy, and taxpayers’ hard-earned money on bills that would only increase incarceration and pull us further into a criminal justice hole we must reallocate that spending to reform the system entirely.”
Event to mark placing of plaque to remember fallen officer
Alderman Cavalier Johnson will join Milwaukee Police Department members and others during a news conference on Friday, June 7 to mark the placing of a plaque on the N. 76th St. bridge over W. Silver Spring Dr. in honor of late Police Officer Charles Irvine Jr.
The news conference will take place on the N. 76th St. bridge in the 2nd District at 1 p.m. Friday – the location where Officer Irvine was gravely injured during a vehicle pursuit last June.
“Officer Irvine was killed in the line of duty while working to protect the citizens of the City of Milwaukee, and we look forward to further honoring his service and his memory with the placement of this memorial plaque,” Alderman Johnson said.
Sen. Lena Taylor, whose district also touches the location where the plaque will be placed, said: “We are forever indebted to Officer Irvine, Jr. and his family.”
“Understanding the incredible risk that law enforcement faces every day, Officer Charles Irvine Jr.’s death touched our community in a very visceral way. His short career will long be remembered for the degree of humanity shown to the residents of this district. A visible landmark honoring his life and contributions is warranted and deserved,” Sen. Taylor said.
Officer Irvine, 23, died on June 7, 2018 after a violent crash near 76th and Silver Spring Dr. Ladell Harrison, the driver of the vehicle that was fleeing from Officer Irvine and his partner at the time of the crash, was convicted of causing the death of Officer Irvine and was sentenced in April to 30 years in prison and another 20 years extended supervision.