The Milwaukee Post

By ARTHUR THOMAS Conley News Service WAUKESHA — Republican attorney gen- eral candidate Brad Schimel last week unveiled a plan aimed at combating human trafficking, but his opponent's campaign questioned how it would be funded. The plan calls for increased awareness, training for local law enforcement, monitor- ing the need for legislative changes and increased efforts to rehabilitate victims. "The key is recognition that this is differ- ent from most other kinds of victim cases we deal with," said Schimel, Waukesha County's district attorney. "If we don't take such a comprehensive approach, we run the risk that these victims go right back to what they were doing," he continued, describing human trafficking as "a completely different animal" from tradi- tional prostitution. "These women and girls who get involved in human trafficking are virtually stripped of their will," he said. Josh Lease, campaign manager for Democratic AG candidate Susan Happ, ques- tioned whether Schimel has a plan to pay for the program. "I think it's always a problem to propose new programs without a funding mecha- nism," Lease said in an email, asking if Schimel planned to get additional money through the budget process or cut other pro- grams to make the plan a reality. "If so, what is he cutting?" Lease asked. Schimel said current Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen had requested addi- tional money to fight human trafficking and he plans to do the same if elected. He also said there is grant money available to help with funding. Lease said it would be hard to plan a pro- gram "based on grants you might not get." Schimel also acknowledged it would take an increase in funding at some point to sup- port his plan, but he didn't have an exact fig- ure. "We can't just shift resources from place to place — there will have to be an increase in resources," he said, later adding it is difficult to have the exact figure without being in the Department of Justice. He then argued Happ, the Jefferson County district attorney, had not been cam- paigning on public safety issues and he was doing just that. "My opponent is dead silent," he said. "She isn't talking about public safety at all." The plan Schimel proposed includes increased public awareness efforts, similar to those the DOJ has undertaken on heroin. He said it should be a legitimate worry for par- ents that children could fall victim to traffick- ers. He recounted how in a recent high-profile runaway case, law enforcement was con- cerned about that possibility while the girl was out of state. "That was the worry going through our heads," he said. He acknowledged it isn't an issue at the forefront for most people. "Sure, it doesn't affect most of our lives directly, but we should be outraged," Schimel said. He also said it hasn't been a high priority for many in law enforcement: "Right now there are very few law enforcement officers who've been to any kind of training on it and even fewer prosecutors." 12 • Milwaukee County Post • September 12, 2014 If elected AG, Schimel plans to target human trafficking Happ campaign questions funding plans By JOSH PERTTUNEN Conley News Service AND DWAYNE BUTLER Post Editor MILWAUKEE — The resounding cry after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, was that Americans would "never forget" them, perpetually using the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on that day to reflect on the lives and innocence lost in New York City, Washington D.C. and the skies over Pennsylvania. It remains a moment when everyone remembers where he or she was and what he or she was doing. It remains an infa- mous date that needs no further explana- tion. State, city and county officials were scheduled to gather Thursday morning at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center to honor the victims of 9/11 in a special 13th anniversary ceremony Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, County Executive Chris Abele, Gov. Scott Walker, British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott and the Rev. Don Darius Butler of Tabernacle Community Baptist Church were to offer their reflections. A group of police and city leaders from around the Midwest, including Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, also were scheduled to be in attendance. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing, U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink (retired), Milwaukee County Interim Fire Chief Kevin Doyne, Franklin Fire Chief Adam Remington, and Reuben and Mildred Harpole were to participate in the wreath ceremony. Wreaths were to be placed in the reflect- ing pool at the War Memorial's Veterans Plaza. The Milwaukee High School of the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble was to perform "God Bless America." After the program, attendees were invited to ring the bell of the USS Milwaukee in memory of the victims. 'Never forget' Special ceremony honors 9/11 victims Happ Schimel Church Directory Bay View St. Lukes Episcopal Church 3200 S. Herman St. 414-744-3736 Sunday Worship: 9 am New Berlin First Church of the Nazarene 13535 W. Beloit Road Sunday Worship: 10am www.Firstnazinfo.org 414-425-6430 Oak Creek St. Stephen Catholic Church 1441 W. Oakwood Rd. Masses: Tues 7pm, Wed-Fri 8am, Sat 4:30pm, Sun 8:30 & 10:30am Reconciliation: Tues 6:30pm, Sat 3:30pm For info call: 414-762-0552 www.saintstephenmil.org To advertise in this section, contact Julia at 414-744-6370 ext. 17

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