Milwaukee Police coming up with plan to reduce hit-and-run crashes

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hit-and-run crashes are up across Milwaukee and the entire country. Milwaukee's Public Safety and Health Committee took up this issue at their committee meeting Thursday morning and the Milwaukee Police Department is optimistic they can reduce the number of hit-and-runs here.

One out of every four crashes in Milwaukee is a hit-and-run. Last year nearly 30 percent of all crashes in Milwaukee were hit-and-run crashes.

On Monday, Milwaukee Police is expected to release a traffic plan that will help reduce hit and runs. The plan will involve working together with local, state and county law enforcement and trying to cut down on the length of police pursuits.

"We need to stop that. We need to reduce that to what it used to be and that what’s going to stop the hit-and-runs and that is what’s going to drop some of the crime that is affecting the city and county of Milwaukee," said Chief Alfonso Morales.

The committee also talked about wanting to increase penalties for hit-and-run crashes.

Right now in Wisconsin if you are involved in a deadly hit and run crash you can face up to 25 years in prison.