Milwaukee police entered the Fourth of July weekend roughly 200 officers short, stretching resources thin as violence and chaos erupted in the city’s entertainment districts. The Milwaukee Police Association confirmed to Today’s TMJ 4 that staffing shortages left fewer officers available for patrol amid large crowds celebrating the holiday. Incidents included multiple fights and shootings, an officer injured by illegal fireworks, and another hurt when a suspect struck her with his vehicle.
“There’s not enough officers out there. We’re about 170 officers short and about 30 detectives. So MPD is about 200 officers, total, short-staffed,” Ayala told TMJ 4 reporter Ryan Jenkins.
A Milwaukee police officer was injured when a firework exploded near her as she chased a suspect in a Walgreens parking lot oduring a chaotic mob takeover on Brady Street early Sunday. Video footage showed the officer on the ground receiving aid from fellow officers. MPD says only that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In a separate incident on Water Street, an officer was struck and injured by a suspect’s vehicle. She and other officers who ran to her aid fired on the suspect, who drove off. When he was arrested a short time later, it was discovered that he was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. All officers involved have been placed on administrative duty while an investigation is conducted.
Large brawls also marred the final night of Summerfest on Milwaukee’s lakefront, as large groups on teenagers and young adults converged on the festival in large numbers and became violent just before closing time at midnight.
The chaotic Fourth of July renewed calls for crackdowns on the takeover events that have roiled the city since Summer began and have again highlighted broader strains on Milwaukee Police staffing levels. Last Summer, extreme shortages were a major concern; on July 27th and 28th, 2025, for instance, there were only three officers assigned to the District 1 late shift from midnight to 8:00 am.
City officials promised changes after the shortages were made public, but this weekend’s violence demonstrates how insufficient their efforts have been.
