David Crowley backs nonprofit’s plan for sex‑offender housing community in Milwaukee
David Crowley, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor and Milwaukee County executive, voiced support on Oct. 12, 2026 for It Takes a Village Foundation’s plan to build a housing community for released sex offenders in Milwaukee. Speaking at the nonprofit’s annual gala, Crowley said, "Milwaukee County, we share in your vision," endorsing the group’s effort to create a dedicated residential enclave for the population.
The foundation, founded in 2020 by Shawna Whitehead, claims to have helped nearly 4,000 former inmates reenter society through job training, online classes, and housing assistance. Whitehead has long advocated for a “whole community” for sex offenders, describing them as “leprosy” without a place to live in a 2022 podcast interview.
Crowley’s endorsement arrives as he faces a close gubernatorial contest against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has centered his campaign on public safety. Tiffany accused Crowley of supporting policies that “weaken criminal penalties,” noting the Democrat’s past votes on bail‑jumping legislation and his opposition to allowing judges to consider a defendant’s record when setting bail.
It Takes a Village’s website features a video testimonial from Kevin Pettis, who was convicted of first‑degree sexual assault of a child in 2002. State records list Pettis as “non‑compliant” with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, indicating missed registration requirements and repeat violations in 2017 and 2024.
The nonprofit did not respond to inquiries about Pettis’s compliance status. Whitehead’s 2023 co‑authored book, A Successful Way to Entrepreneurship and Obtaining Wealth, advises readers to open offshore accounts for asset protection, a detail highlighted by critics of the organization’s approach.
While the housing proposal aims to address a shortage of transitional homes for a vulnerable population, opponents argue that concentrating sex offenders in a single community could pose safety concerns. Crowley’s supporters counter that providing stable housing reduces recidivism and aligns with broader efforts to foster equitable, compassionate public policy.
As the election nears, the controversy is likely to intensify, with both candidates expected to use the issue to underscore their positions on criminal‑justice reform and public safety.
