Drake Bentley|Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
It's one of the final scenes of the Netflix series "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." Neighbor Glenda Cleveland, portrayed by actress Niecy Nash, visits a city office to inquire about a park memorial to be built at the former site of the Oxford Apartments, where Dahmer committed most of his crimes.
The scene closes with Nash standing outside her former home and cuts to a screen that states "no park or memorial to Jeffrey Dahmer's victims was ever built on the site of the Oxford Apartments."
That is true — and it's a topic that's been controversial in the city for the past 30 years.
More: The building where Jeffrey Dahmer committed gruesome murders was torn down in 1992, and the lot at 924 N. 25th St. still sits empty today
More: Jeffrey Dahmer killed 17 people before his crimes were discovered. These are the victims and what we knew about them
There was a push for a memorial to Dahmer's victims in the 1990s, but nothing moved forward
There was a conversation in the 1990s about a memorial for the victims, but the plan was nixed out of fear that it would attract people with bad intentions, according toMayor Cavalier Johnson'sspokesperson Jeff Fleming.
Fleming was aWTMJ-TV reporter in 1991 andwas one of the reporters who entered Dahmer's apartment. He followed the case from Dahmer's arrest through his trial.
Many shared the opinion that a memorial wasn't appropriate, including June Moberly, executive director of the Avenues West Association, in 1998.
"It was a horrendous, horrendous thing, but keeping a reminder there is not going to help this particular geographical neighborhood to heal either," she said.
Milwaukee mayor, alderman wary of a physical memorial today
With the popularity of the Netflix series, some are pushing for a physical memorial in Milwaukee to the victims.
Fleming now serves as communications directorfor the mayor, and his boss has some of the same concerns raised in the '90s.
"It is entirely appropriate to remember the victims of this horrific episode in Milwaukee’s history.They deserve our respect," Johnson said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel. "I am cautious, however, about a physical memorial.That would have an unfortunate potential to attract people who have a morbid fascination with the killer.That is something I would prefer to avoid."
The 49-unit Oxford Apartmentswas razed in 1992. Located at924 N. 25th St., the lot still sitsunused.The land is privately owned by Ogden Homes, according to the Milwaukee Assessor's Office.
The Marquette Wire in 2012 reported that Ogden was prohibited from developing on the land as part of its agreement to purchase it for $500.
The alderman for the area, Robert Bauman, says a memorial for Dahmer's victims is a "terrible idea," adding, "especially on that site which is private property."
Bauman questions the use of the series to restart a conversation about a memorial in Milwaukee for Dahmer's victims.
"I suspect the families and friends of these victims could all make a case for a memorial," Bauman said.
"I don’t know how a memorial process would start or stop, or what criteria would be used unless everyone would get a public, permanent memorial. I hope the criteria is not incidents which make national news or merit TV shows because that would undervalue all the other victims who also suffered from often horrific violence.
"If there were such a process, I could envision some very angry families and friends whose loved one was denied a memorial," he said."I could envision distraught families crying out 'you approved a memorial for this person, why not for my daughter.'
"Since 1991, Milwaukee has experienced over 3,000 homicides. Most victims were people of color, many were members of the LGBTQ community and many were children. Each homicide was tragic and senseless."
Milwaukee LGBTQ advocacy group says they support whatever the victims' families want
Dahmer confessed to killing 17 people.They were:
- Steven Hicks
- Steven Tuomi
- James Doxtator
- Richard Guerrero
- Anthony Sears
- Eddie Smith
- Ricky Beeks
- Ernest Miller
- David Thomas
- Curtis Straughter
- Errol Lindsey
- Anthony Hughes
- Konerak Sinthasomphone
- Matt Turner
- Jeremiah Weinberger
- Oliver Lacy
- Joseph Bradehoft
The majority of his victims were people of color and gay men and boys fromthe Milwaukee area.
A LGBTQ advocacy group in Milwaukee, Diverse & Resilient, said it supports whatever the victims' families want.
"Diverse & Resilient sends its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims depicted in this horrific historical situation," said one of the organization's spokespersons, Justin Roby. "Each time this situation is elevated, we are forced to relive the trauma of missing our loved ones and wondering where they would be here and now."
The group also pushes back on people wanting to move on from the days of Dahmer's crimes.
Many remember the case as a lesson about racism andhom*ophobia among police and the Milwaukee community at large — which likely helped Dahmer avoid scrutiny as he targeted and killed so many victims.
"It is infuriating to be reminded that Milwaukee, much like the greater society, devalues Black and Brown LGBTQ+ lives," Roby said. "While we are sure previous city leadership would love to wipe this stain from our history, its continued attention gives evidence of a true need for healing.
"To the family and loved ones of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people, we encourage you to love them fearlessly. To Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people, you deserve safety, love, and respect. Here at D&R we envision a future where you thrive, living healthy, satisfying lives in safe, supportive communities and work every day to achieve that across Wisconsin, especially here in Milwaukee."
Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 orDBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.
