Nearly four years into the Milwaukee Mayor’s job, Cavalier Johnson, at only 38, wears the mayor’s mantle like a favorite pullover. When I walked into his office, the mayor was watching on screen as members of Milwaukee’s Common Council debated his zoning proposals. As I was to find out, zoning is a priority on his agenda.
I’ve known Mayor Johnson for over five years since he was the 2nd District Alderman. Nearly four years as mayor has not changed his appearance—still that boyish face with the magnetic smile. But now, at 38, he was dressed in a sharp slate suit, white dress shirt and a timeless-style necktie. We sat in wing chairs, a table between us. He leaned forward in his chair and focused his attention on me through stable eye contact.
Crime is a big issue. According to the MPD crime maps, in the past two years, almost every category of crime is down, the total being down more than 20%. To what do you attribute the decline?…