The Sconi

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson recently announced that Alderman Ashanti Hamilton will replace Arnitta Holliman as the city’s new director of the Office of Violence Prevention.

"I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running," Hamilton told Fox6Now.com. "There's been some concern about whether or not there is a continued commitment to understanding that violence is a public health issue -- and our approaches to solving violence in our community has to continue with that approach -- that there are strategies out there that work, that we have to continue to invest in those strategies."

Holliman has openly alleged that her Aug. 3 termination was “unprofessional” and added that she received no performance reviews, warnings, or indications that it might be forthcoming.

"OVP should never be solely held accountable for a rise in homicide numbers,” Hamilton said. “OVP is one office. The mayor has repeatedly said that this takes a multi-pronged – or an approach that is not just MPD. It’s OVP but also, the community."

The change in leadership comes as homicides across the city are reported to be up 33% and on pace to break the record set last year. In 2022, 141 homicides have been recorded, compared with 106 at the same time last year.

And while categories of violent crime are down, including rape by 41% and robberies by 9%, there have been 537 non-fatal shootings and 251 carjackings in 2022.

"He understands the need for results -- tangible metrics that show we’re making Milwaukee safer," Johnson said of Hamilton, who plans to build upon the partnership with the community to address violence in the city. He told reporters that once he has been officially installed, he will resign as alderman for the 1st District.

"My hope is that the new director will have the full support of the health commissioner and the mayor and his administration – things that I did not receive as the leader of OVP," Holliman said.