both milwaukee mayor tom barrett and my walk police chief edward flynn did not respond to multiple interview requests by "america tonight" to talk about the surge of gun violence. however, older woman malayla cox gave up her lunch break to speak with us. kogz is part of a political dynasty in wisconsin that includes the first black women elected to the state legislature in the 1970s. talk to me about milwaukee. it's making headlines for all the wrong reasons, yet yourself have managed to see the glass is half full. why? >> in a very personal way because of my family, my children, a community that i care about is right here in milwaukee. >> this is home? >> right. so when i look at the statistics, i don't see all of the bad. i see the possibilities and the work that needs to be done. >> despite her optimism, the spike is taking a toll on the city's 600,000 residents. >> it's sad because, you know, i was born and raised here. i know the greatness milwaukee holds and how great it can be. every time i get a call. every time the police give me a calm. every time i see the yellow tape or hear from