Riots Over Food Vouchers In Milwaukee

Milwaukee police said they have restored order but will remain outside of the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center after a crowd awaiting free food vouchers became unruly this morning.

Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Vliet St., between N. 12th and N. 13th streets, is blocked and barricades have been installed so people are able to line up around the block of the building at 1220 W. Vliet St.

“That line is pretty huge,” Schwartz said. “We are going to be here for the duration. We have a pretty good number.”

Police responded to the building about 7 a.m. after 2,500 people lined up on the sidewalk and eventually began to block traffic in the street. A number of people had rushed the door, and some people became caught in the crush; however, there were no serious injuries, according to Schwartz.

She did not believe that police had made any arrests, nor were people being asked to leave.

“We want to make sure people stay here in an orderly fashion so they can get what they came to get,” she said. “We’re still trying to figure out why so many people showed up.”

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=6/23/2008&id=42044