New Milwaukee Ordinance Leads to 17 Cars Towed

Milwaukee’s new crackdown on reckless driving is already showing results, with police towing 17 vehicles in the first two weeks of a city ordinance that allows officers to impound cars after a single offense. The measure, enacted less than a month ago, replaces a previous law that limited towing to repeat offenders with unpaid fines. Under that old rule, Milwaukee police managed to tow just 11 cars in two years — a number surpassed in only 16 days under the new policy.

Before November 5, most reckless drivers were cited and allowed to continue on their way. Now, they must surrender their keys and pay nearly $500 to retrieve their vehicle, including a $313 citation, a $150 tow fee, and daily storage costs. The rules apply even if the driver doesn’t own the car, although victims of stolen vehicles can reclaim them without charge.

Despite the inconvenience, some drivers support the tougher enforcement. “I’ve seen people die because of reckless drivers,” said Bashir Salan, whose car was recently towed. Fellow driver Mohamed Abdisamed agrees: “It teaches them a lesson.” Impounded vehicles must be recovered within 90 days before they are sold by the city. Source: https://www.tmj4.com