State Legislature approves bill allowing police to tow cars used for reckless driving, regardless of owner
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bill allowing law enforcement to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses, regardless of the car's owner.
It's a penalty that Milwaukee leaders have wanted on the books for years.
"By taking away the tools they use to inflict injury on the public, we're taking a major step forward in arresting the problem," said City of Milwaukee Alderman Scott Spiker.
The bill was passed by Wisconsin's state Assembly in March. The state Senate passed it Tuesday, sending the bill to the governor's desk.
It stems from a resolution introduced by Milwaukee Alderman Lamont Westmoreland two years ago.
"We're always looking for ways to improve, and a lot of things that we want to do, we need to change state law," Westmoreland said Wednesday.
Current Wisconsin law allows police to only tow reckless drivers' cars if the driver owns the vehicle and is a repeat offender.
The newly-approved bill allows them to impound any cars used for reckless driving.
"If you choose to put the community, and you choose to put lives at risk, we're taking the car, we're going to impound the car," said Assistant Chief Craig Sarnow with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Drivers will have 90 days to pay all city tow lot fees, citations, and any license or registration costs in order to get their car back, or it will be destroyed.
If the car was stolen, the owner will be contacted and fees will be waived, and the reckless driver will be arrested.
"The hope is that we can make some examples out of a few people," Westmoreland said. "When they're behind the wheel, they're thinking of the consequence of their vehicle being impounded, especially if they don't have the means to get it back."
Milwaukee's tow lot has 300 spots prepared for when the law goes into effect.
"I do anticipate it to be an influx right off the bat. The hope, though, is the message is sent, and over time we see less and less tows," explained Peter Knox, Milwaukee's parking services manager.
Governor Tony Evers is expected to sign the bill into law.
After that, municipalities like the city of Milwaukee have to enact an ordinance to put it into effect.
Westmoreland said he already has an ordinance drafted for the next Common Council meeting and they plan to look at other solutions to the ongoing issue.
"This is not a magic wand that we wave over reckless driving and it ends," Westmoreland explained. "It's a puzzle that's ever evolving, and this is just a piece to it."