POLICE UNION, NORQUIST SPAR OVER MARIJUANA

The Two Sides Argue Over A 1997 Ordinance Slashing Penalty For Small Amounts

In a letter to thousands of likely primary voters, the Milwaukee Police
Association blames Mayor John O. Norquist and the 1997 decriminalization of
possession of small amounts of marijuana for an increase in killings and
drug violence.

Norquist aides on Wednesday slammed the letter, which suggests George Watts
as a better alternative to Norquist in Tuesday's primary election, even
though the MPA has not endorsed Watts.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann said
statements attributed to him in the letter were taken out of context and
that the letter wrongly attributes street violence to the marijuana change,
which was aimed at creating equal penalties between the city and suburbs.

"The killings in Milwaukee - very few, if any, are related to marijuana,"
said McCann. "If it was marijuana, you'd see it elsewhere, too. The
violence is primarily a result of crack cocaine."

The MPA spent $2,590 on the mailing, according to a filing Monday with the
state Elections Board. The letter first came to light Wednesday in a news
release from the Norquist campaign, saying it explains Watts' "flip-flop"
on support for Police Chief Arthur Jones.

Watts initially said he supported Jones and his quality-of-life policing
approach, but has since said he wants to get rid of Jones and scrap the
approach.

Bill Christofferson, Norquist's campaign head, said Watts had "sold out his
beliefs" to get the support of the MPA and its president, Bradley DeBraska.
"Watts is saying the words, but DeBraska is writing the script," he said.

Told of the criticism, DeBraska said: "It sounds to me like a full
admission to the content of the letter we sent out."

It wasn't clear how many letters were mailed, but if 33-cent postage is
used as a gauge, it would have to be less than 8,000.

The letter cites a 1997 ordinance change that, in effect, decriminalized
the possession of 25 grams (.875 ounce) or less of marijuana. The move,
which was passed by the Common Council on a 9-8 vote, was backed by
Norquist, Jones and McCann, among others.

Supporters said the change put Milwaukee on par with the suburbs. Opponents
saw it as a retreat in the drug war.

The MPA letter links the 1997 change to last year's increase in city
homicides. It cites a federal grant to fight drug trafficking - Milwaukee
was one of nine cities to get the money - that followed the change.

It also cites a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article in which McCann says the
city's homicide increase from 117 in 1998 to 124 last year can be
attributed in part to turf battles among drug dealers. The letter skips
over McCann's other reasons: More people killed for no apparent reason
other than spite and more killed in domestic violence disputes.

"Norquist and Chief Jones have the blood of innocent victims on their
beat," says the letter, signed by DeBraska on behalf of his executive
board. It asks voters who they'll choose Feb. 15: "Norquist/Jones or
Watts."

The MPA recently called for Jones to be removed, after the city lost a
federal lawsuit filed by two police officers who said Jones and former
Chief Philip Arreola retaliated against them for exercising their rights to
free speech. The two were awarded $380,000 in damages. The city is likely
to appeal.

The MPA has long been at odds with Norquist and Jones. While it has not
endorsed Watts in the race, which also includes Wendell Harris, the union
was required to report the mailing as an independent expenditure.

Norquist spokesman Jeff Fleming said the change wasn't a softening on
crime. He noted penalties remain for other drugs, for those who sell
marijuana and those who possess more than 25 grams. "Brad DeBraska is so
preoccupied with undermining the Police Department's leadership, he's lost
track of reality," he said.

Watts couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday evening.