Mackenzie Savin, “Heavy is the Crown: The Vaun Mayes Documentary”
Mentor: Sean Kafer, Film, Video, Animation, & New Genres
Oral Presentation Block 2

For the third year in a row, Milwaukee has beaten its own homicide record. It is believed heavy policing is the answer to these societal problems, but many Milwaukee activists say that its investment in community programs would lower crime rates. With the guided help of Program the Parks director and activist, Vaun Mayes, we have been able to identify, investigate, and interpret these Milwaukee and Wisconsin racial-based issues in our documentary. It is with insight from these community leaders we have documented them creating events for youth, such as lock-ins, basketball tournaments, and park clean-ups. Through Vaun’s conversation with former Milwaukee police officers, Pamela Holmes and Ricky Burems, they discussed the need for police to form trust with the community itself. These solutions have come specifically from black police officers and have already been thought of, just not implemented. Some of the main topics we have chosen to focus on include urban crime being covered in the media while ignoring black success stories, the importance of leading youth with the help of community programs and leaders, and pushing local community members to run for office. The main solutions we have discovered and have encouraged are violence prevention, violence interruption, suicide prevention, incident de-escalation, social justice, and community building. Throughout our research, and now through the documentary we’ve created, we’ve been able to highlight community members who have their boots on the ground and are spreading awareness about these topics. By all of us continuing to put the work in, we can create a greater impact through unifying when trying to support these communities. These solutions can be beneficial for all.