Common Council Debates, Then Tables Lowering Milwaukee Pot Fines

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Tuesday’s meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council started with business as usual, but ended with a bang when Alderman Nik Kovac brought before the Council a proposed ordinance to lower Milwaukee pot fines dramatically.

Supporters said that while studies have shown drug use is consistent across racial demographics, there is a disproportionate number of young, black males being targeted.

“This isn’t going to end all structural racism in the criminal justice system, but it reduces the impact,” said Kovac.

The ordinance would change the fee schedule for possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana from $250-500 down to $5-50.  According to Kovac, the average fine issued would be $26.19 so that with court costs it would become an even $94.

Alderman Willie Wade speaks at the Council meeting. Photo by Sarah DeGeorge.
Alderman Willie Wade speaks at the Council meeting. Photo by Sarah DeGeorge.

A heated debate ensued, lasting longer than one hour. The debate ended when Alderman Robert Puente moved to hold the matter until the next meeting of the Common Council on June 2.  Joe Davis, Robert Donovan, Joe Dudzik, and Terry Witkowski supported the hold, which only required three votes to succeed.

No one was more passionate than Alderman Willie Wade.

“What we’re talking about here is doing something very minute to deal with the national crisis which is the perception – no, the reality – that it is okay to treat black males unfairly,” Wade said. “If tomorrow morning, this was white, suburban kids or white males that this was happening to and black police officers were enforcing it, all of a sudden everyone gets 20/20 vision.”

Ald. Joe Davis at this week's Council meeting. Photo by Sarah DeGeorge.
Ald. Joe Davis at this week’s Council meeting. Photo by Sarah DeGeorge.

Alderman and mayoral hopeful Davis challenged Wade’s assertion that this fee reduction would solve anything.

“Are we trying to solve the problem or are we trying to get brownie points,” Davis asked.

Davis added that possession would remain illegal.

The Council’s other mayoral candidate, Donovan, stayed largely on the sideline during the debate, but when he did speak he made his position clear.

“Without a doubt, it sends the absolute wrong message to our community and young people,” Donovan said. “We’ve seen the devastating impact that drugs are having on individuals, our society, and our families.”