Menomonee Falls State Rep. Blames Milwaukee for Area Crime

MENOMONEE FALLS - State Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) criticized Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, Tuesday, saying she would support funding cuts to the city unless they take action to reduce their crime rate.

Brandjen went public with her comments after five juveniles suspected in a Milwaukee carjacking were arrested Thursday after a chase that ended in Washington County.

According to a Journal Sentinel report, Brandtjen issued the following statement:

"If you do not fill the hundreds of vacant police officer positions, apprehend and arrest car thieves, demand prison for repeat criminals and start standing up to the judges who let repeat offenders off easy, you will be in my opinion 'assisting and enabling' the very criminals who are responsible for the record number of shootings, carjackings and murders."

While Brandtjen says she would push for funding cuts to the city - as some sort of punishment for crime spilling into the suburbs - it turns out the state is beating her to it. According to the Journal Sentinel article, state funding has dropped by $12 million a year. Despite this, city funding for the Police Department has increased by $91 million.