Brady Street is one of Milwaukee’s most vibrant, festive, and beloved neighborhoods. It is a place where people from every walk of life grab dinner at diverse restaurants, support local businesses, enjoy fantastic bars, and soak in that unmistakable East Side energy. Just walking the street, one can soak up sights, sounds, and smells that are absolutely amazing. There is nothing like that unique Brady Street experience!
But in recent years, disorder has grown all around Brady Street. The situation has escalated into something far more dangerous and deadly. There have been shootings and gunfire, reckless driving, all out brawls, and teen takeovers that have pushed the community to a breaking point. Just last night three people were shot with one of the victims having died from their injuries.
Looting of local businesses, like Walgreens, is costing thousands of dollars in added security, theft, and damage. Small ships cannot afford the extra safety measures putting them out of business. People are asking the question will another Walgreens that the neighborhood depends on close its doors for good?
This is not “rowdy nightlife.” This is not “kids being kids.” This is wild, out of control, dangerous behavior and the city has allowed it to fester. Once again, Milwaukee is reactive instead of proactive.
May 18th, a 17-year-old boy was shot and injured near Farwell and Cambridge, right off Brady Street.
On June 8th, neighbors living just off Brady Street woke up to bullets lodged in their cars and homes.
Then last night’s deadly shooting off of Brady and Van Buren.
After dark, people are crossing the street to avoid mobs of teens who are openly defiant, disruptive, and intimidating. People are leaving the area earlier than they used to. They are not being dramatic or overreacting, they are being realistic and safe.
Brady Street residents, community leaders, and businesses demanded action from the city. The Brady Street Improvement District (BID), working with local businesses, MPD, and Alderman Alex Brower’s office, created a six week “Summer Safety Pilot Program” beginning June 25th. It focuses on underage drinking, reckless driving, and “late night disruptive behaviors.”
But we have seen these temporary initiatives before. As soon as the police presence fades, the problems return. Brady Street does not need cleanup duty, it needs consistent, visible, ongoing police presence until the city decides to take crime and teen takeovers seriously.
The takeovers are driving much of the violence we are seeing across Milwaukee. Groups of mostly Black teens are acting out. They are overrunning yet another neighborhood with chaos and disorder. Their behavior is a problem, and the city refuses to confront it head‑on.
Common Sense Solutions the City Needs to Implement
• Proactive policing with officers posted throughout the neighborhood BEFORE crowds gather
• Serious charges from the DA and meaningful penalties from judges
• Ongoing partnerships between BID, businesses, residents, and MPD — not one‑off meetings
• Clear expectations for youth behavior and accountability for parents
• Transparent communication from MPD, Alderman Brower, and Mayor Cavalier Johnson
The mayor’s absence from the problems plaguing Brady Street is unsettling. Brady Street is one of Milwaukee’s crown jewels; a premier place where students, families, artists, workers, elders, newcomers, and lifelong residents come together in a neighborhood full of history, character, and soul.
Brady Street deserves safety and peacefulness. Milwaukee deserves leadership that treats this crisis with urgency. Sadly, one person has already lost their life. With Brady Street preparing for summer events this issue must be addressed immediately. The Summer Safety Pilot Program should be a permanent fixture not a six-week project.
