Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks - Fights

For the second year in a row, mobs of young people caused problems on the night of the July 3rd fireworks at Milwaukee's lakefront.

Last year, thugs engaged in mob violence after the fireworks.

This year, law enforcement were prepared for trouble and they apparently managed to control the thugs.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Two people were arrested and four others given county citations in connection with fights that broke out between large groups of youths Tuesday night during the lakefront fireworks, Milwaukee County Sheriff's spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin said Wednesday.

The fighting broke out in areas between the McKinley and Bradford Beach parking lots and deputies responded to try to stop the fighting among youths who had congregated, she said.

One bystander, who was attending the fireworks, called the Journal Sentinel Wednesday to say he saw a crowd of possibly l00 youth screaming and running in the area. He said he also saw about 20 Milwaukee police officers in squads, bicycles and on horseback. A police helicopter was also circling above, he said.

Milwaukee police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz issued a statement Wednesday that said: "Milwaukee police kept everyone safe - even when large crowds briefly amassed after the fireworks."

She said there were "many officers in the area on foot, bicycle, motorcycle and squads" and that a roll call had been held in the area "to maintain order and deter potential troublemakers."

The police helicopter, which was also used on Juneteenth Day to keep order, was in the air to assist with maintaining order, she said.

It's not cool when officers "on foot, bicycle, motorcycle and squads" and a police helicopter are required to maintain order.

According to the bystander, the large police presence was needed to regain order, to get the "crowd of possibly l00 youth screaming and running in the area" under control.

A helicopter?

That's extreme.

It's not good that the utilization of such resources are necessary at a family-friendly event like the fireworks.

Juneteenth Day and the lakefront fireworks demand massive law enforcement efforts to keep people safe.

Not good. That's a poor reflection on some of Milwaukee's youth.

"All these combined efforts resulted in a safe event at the lakefront. As of today, there were no reports of any batteries or assaults associated with the egress from the fireworks," the statement concluded.

After last year's July 3 fireworks at the lakefront, groups of people looted a convenience store near the Kilbourn Reservoir Park and beat a number of people, who said initially that police officers were not attentive to their complaints.

Wow.

Isn't that wonderful?

No reports of batteries or assaults this year. Woo hoo!

The thugs didn't gain the upper hand.

The thugs didn't loot stores or beat random people. Yay!

Sure, there were fights, but we can live with that, right?

Keep all those officers on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and squads around. Keep the helicopter up there to monitor the mob.

Sorry, taxpayers. Order comes at a high price.