Dana World-Patterson gets committee approval to serve on Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
Dana World-Patterson, a prominent local advocate for victims of human trafficking, on Thursday gained the approval of a Common Council committee to become the newest member of the city's once-troubled Fire and Police Commission.
"You're such an impressive person," said Ald. Mark Borkowski, who chaired the meeting of the Public Safety and Health Committee that recommended the full council approve her nomination at its Dec. 14 meeting.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett nominated World-Patterson to serve on the powerful civilian commission that has oversight responsibility over the police and fire departments.
She would replace Ann Wilson, one of two remaining members whose vote to oust former Police Chief Alfonso Morales last year cost city taxpayers $627,000 in a settlement plus just under $60,000 for an outside attorney hired to represent the city in the matter.
The term of the other remaining member, Fred Crouther, ends in 2024.
Vice-Chair Everett Cocroft resigned from the commission in November, leaving the commission with six members.
Some council members saw in World-Patterson's nomination a move away from the dysfunction that plagued the commission under previous membership.
"I think we're finally starting to turn the tide on the Fire and Police Commission, so I think this nominee makes so much sense," Ald. Chantia Lewis told the committee.
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In particular, she spoke to World-Patterson's community connections — an element that the nominee also highlighted.
World-Patterson said she grew up and currently lives in the city's challenged 53206 ZIP code. Foundations for Freedom, her business that focuses on preventing human trafficking and supporting victims, is also based there, she told a community member who raised concerns about policing in the city.
"That's the only reason I'm here is to advance the needle so that we can indeed get things done," she said. "I'm a part of a team, but it's about accountability, so you don't have to worry about me forgetting where I come from. I have to drive those streets."
She said her father was a police officer, and she recalled as a child wanting him to come home safely every day.
World-Patterson also said she supports community policing, and she committed to taking additional steps to hear from community members outside the specific responsibilities of serving on the commission.
Among the attributes, she said she would bring to the commission was a particular interest in training.
"I believe the more you know, the more you'll see," she said. "Over the past 14 years, we've worked with police officers that really didn't believe that (human trafficking) existed, and they were so tunnel-minded in their endeavor that they missed a lot."
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the November resignation of Vice-Chair Everett Cocroft.
Journal Sentinel reporter Elliot Hughes contributed.
Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dana World-Patterson gets nod for Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
