Milwaukee's Neighborhood Safety Initiative

So how's that highly touted Neighborhood Safety Initiative working out in Milwaukee?

Do you think Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty, Mayor Tom Barrett, and Governor Jim Doyle are planning a news conference to give the public an update?

I doubt it.

Allow me.

SEVEN SHOT IN MILWAUKEE IN 12 HOURS

A 14-year-old boy became the youngest of seven shooting victims in a day of gunfire in Milwaukee that started about noon on Sunday with the homicide of a man on the city's northwest side.

The latest shooting occurred about 12:02 a.m. today in the 3600 block of W. Clarke St. The 14-year-old teen was walking home from a party with a friend when he heard gunshots and felt pain in his right leg, according to Milwaukee police. The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment of his wound.

A short while earlier, a 41-year-old man was shot in the stomach in the 2400 block of N. 21st St. about 11:45 p.m. He went into surgery and was in critical condition but is expected to live, police said.

The shootings were among a total of six that occurred in the city throughout Sunday, including the death of a 27-year-old man about 12:15 p.m. in the 2600 block of W. Victory Lane. The man suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police continue to investigate that case as well as the other shootings. Those involved:

* A 22-year-old man who suffered gunshot wounds to the left calf and left arm in the 6900 block of N. Teutonia Ave. about 3:30 p.m. He is in stable condition. Police have identified a 22-year-old suspect but do not have him in custody yet.

* Two 18-year-old men who suffered wounds to the left forearm about 4:08 p.m. in the 2900 block of N. 28th St. They are not telling police what happened.

* A 15-year-old boy shot in the right side while walking through the neighborhood in the 500 block of E. Meinecke Ave. about 10:22 p.m. He was listed in critical condition but is expected to live, police said.

There have been no arrests in any of the shootings, police said today.

Is the Neighborhood Safety Initiative helping to squelch violence in Milwaukee?

If it is, what would the numbers of shootings be without it?

Would there be 12 SHOOTINGS IN 12 HOURS?

Would there be 18? 24?

A man was gunned down about 12:15 PM on Sunday. That's known as broad daylight. Three others were shot later on Sunday afternoon.

Keep holy the Sabbath.

Of course, in some of the cases, the victims aren't cooperating with police. That's typical. It's reminiscent of the Jasmine Owens murder.

To Tom Barrett:

Has violence in Milwaukee reached a crisis level yet?