A Milwaukee woman is speaking out after the father of her children became one of the many innocent bystanders to die in crashes after a police chase.
On Aug. 23, officers said a vehicle wanted in connection to a shooting refused to stop near North 60th Street and West Meinecke Avenue, and the driver led police on a chase, before crashing into Has’an Harris and his brother, Demari Straham, on Center Street as the siblings drove to get tacos.
Harris, 30, died in the crash, while Straham, 31, was hospitalized for two weeks with serious injuries. Harris became one of nine people to die in crashes after police pursuits this year in Milwaukee.
A month since the crash and police also have not arrested the fleeing driver.
Harris’ family attended a Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting on Sept. 18, where they shared their frustration with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Janasia Rhodes provided public comments while holding the final gift that Harris ever gave his son, Jai’San, on his 2nd birthday — a photo of Harris and Jai’San with a happy birthday message.
“His 2-year-old birthday, unfortunately, that’s the last time that he will ever be able to spend with his dad,” Rhodes said at the hearing.
Janasia Rhodes speaks before the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission
Police chase policy has renewed attention
Rhodes believes something needs to be done about the police chase policy in Milwaukee, which has long been debated.
As of Sept. 21, the majority of the fatal victims in this year’s crashes after police chases were innocent bystanders.
Police chases are common in Milwaukee, with 800 to 1,000 taking place each year. What’s different this year is how much more dangerous they’ve become — especially for people not involved in the pursuit.
So far, at least six innocent bystanders and two passengers in fleeing vehicles have been killed. Typically, about 30% of pursuits end in a crash, according to a city audit of police chases.
Right now, police can only initiate pursuits under specific circumstances, such as reckless driving or when the driver is suspected of a violent felony.
Rhodes says the loss of innocent lives requires change
Rhodes said to the commission that police are responsible for these recent deaths.
“You’re looking at a victim right now, a person’s family,” she said. “(Harris) was the only child and he left his son behind. And it’s hard because now I’m in a situation I never thought would happen, not off of his choices, but because he was an innocent bystander.
“You understand what I’m saying? He wasn’t committing a crime. He wasn’t doing anything wrong and his life was (taken) because of reckless driving, police chasing people.
“When are the limitations going to start? You just had three people literally die at the hands of the Milwaukee Police Department what a day or two ago.”
Rhodes was referring to police pursuit crash on Sept. 16, where a 17-year-old Milwaukee girl being held at gunpoint by a 19-year-old man, fled a traffic stop, reaching speeds up to 80 mph, before crashing into and killing a mother and her two sons, according to police.
That same day, Milwaukee police announced an officer killed a woman when the officer ran over her with his squad car as she lay in an alley.
“It’s to the point where it’s like, who’s in charge?” Rhodes said. “Is this being talked about in rooms to a point where a change is gonna happen? (Because) now it’s not just me anymore, it’s other people.
“You guys are supposed to be serving and protecting us, but you’re the ones doing a lot of the damage.”
Harris’ family says police have not been transparent; MPD says it’s an active investigation
Rhodes said she would like a police report and video from that evening, but she was told the reports aren’t ready. Milwaukee police said no video or reports will be released while the investigation is ongoing.
The police chase crash didn’t qualify as a “critical incident” at the department, typically reserved for when an officer is shot or fired his weapon, which would have required a public video release.
Erica Hunt is Harris’ second cousin and also a local activist. “We want hardcore evidence and facts about what happened that night,” Hunt said. “There are multiple stories that are being put out there and we don’t know what the truth is and we want the truth.”
The department declined a Journal Sentinel interview request about police chases and instead issued a statement.
“Police pursuits present significant challenges due to the physical, emotional, and financial impact on officers, the public, and fleeing suspects,” the statement said. “Recognizing these complexities, MPD is committed to ensuring its training, policies, and risk mitigation strategies reflect national best practices.”
Mayor Cavalier Johnson and elected officials on the Common Council have not signaled an intention to begin a process of changing the police chase policy.
Johnson often places blame on the fleeing suspect and reckless driving. Harris’ family said they also have anger reserved for the driver, but it’s the responsibility of the police department to make an arrest.
“And to the little criminal that sent the police on this chase, we’re angry at both parties,” Hunt said. “But the police are the professionals that should be making judgment calls and having strategic plans.”
Hasan Harris was rapper, helped register people to vote, family says
Hunt said Harris was music artist and helped residents get registered to vote by canvassing. “He was a loving son, a loving spouse and a loving father,” she said.
The final gift that Hasan Harris gave his 2-year-old son.
Rhodes said the Harris family took some time to grieve Harris, but have since found their voice.
“I never had to do anything like this,” Rhodes said about speaking in front of the commission. “But if I were in his shoes, … I would want him to try and do something for me.”
Rhodes said she plans to continue to bring attention to the loss of life that happened and the deaths of mothers, sons, daughters and fathers in Milwaukee.
“I now have to raise another young man alone,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A Milwaukee woman’s fight to limit victims in police chases