Butt-out bad signage

The members and participants of the Operation Storefront program would like to thank you for shedding light on the problem of excessive tobacco signage in storefronts in Milwaukee communities. This is an issue that has been plaguing the city of Milwaukee and its neighborhoods for a long time. We appreciate that the storefront signage matter was covered in your article “Holton Street: Where East Meets West” in the March issue of Riverwest Currents.

The tobacco industry works very hard to attract new smokers and unfortunately one of their best tactics is to create elaborate campaigns that appeal to and target youth. They pay storeowners to place these ads, some of them-the size of billboards in their windows. In addition, they place their deadly ads by the candy isles to ensure that children will see it. We are glad to see that the information about these practices is being spread throughout neighborhoods in our community. It will allow residents, who actually live in these neighborhoods, to take a stand and help improve where they live and their children play.

As result of your coverage, we have worked with the Milwaukee Health Department and the Department of Neighborhood Services to pursue possible sign code violations. So far, two of the four stores mentioned in your article have been found to be in violation of Milwaukee’s sign code ordinance and they are expected to make the appropriate signage changes. The other two stores are in the process of making changes.

This really shows that people working together can help to bring about change! Again, we thank you and we encourage other Milwaukee neighborhoods and community members to do the right thing and stay involved in what’s happening in their neighborhoods.

Sincerely,
Operation Storefront Team