Milwaukee and state politicians are searching for ways to pump the brakes on high-profile events where large crowds shut down intersections while cars and other vehicles drive recklessly to onlookers’ delight.
Those possible answers include penalizing both the drivers and the spectators of the events known as “street takeovers.” But those plans are stuck, as local policymakers clash over a path forward and state legislation awaits votes.
State Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, believes legislation he’s pushing could help address the problem. His legislation would allow the city to tow vehicles of reckless drivers on their first offense or if they are not the owner.
“These street takeovers are unbelievable,” Donovan told the Journal Sentinel. “It’s concerning.”
Donovan’s legislation — which has support from local council members — passed the state Assembly on March 13, but is awaiting a vote by the State Senate. That’s an effort advocated for by Ald. Lamont Westmoreland since 2023 and he pushed for the legislation to move forward in a statement.
“Months later, I am increasingly frustrated that we are stalled and no closer to passing this legislation while we continue to see upticks in reckless driving,” he said. “Time is of the essence, and we need remedies like the ones this legislation allows right now.”
Meanwhile, in Milwaukee’s Common Council, legislation was drafted that would allow citations between $500 and $1,000 to be issued to those who congregate to watch the events. However, that legislation is now being re-assessed by Common Council President José G. Pérez, who is sponsoring the bill.
He requested it be pulled from the June 12 agenda of the council’s Public Safety and Health Committee after he said it was rushed.
“I pulled it in order to, frankly, get it right,” Pérez said.
The proposed legislation was highlighted by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman in a June 3 news release announcing it.
“Street takeovers are a reckless and dangerous activity for everyone in our community,” Norman said in the release. “This new ordinance will give our officers an additional tool to keep our community safe from harm and hold the individuals participating or spectating in street takeovers accountable.”
Perez felt there could be pitfalls in the proposal to ticket spectators, including the potential for people who aren’t part of the crowd to be caught up and cited.
Perez did not consult the mayor’s office on pulling the legislation, said Jeff Fleming, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office. He pushed back against the idea it was rushed, saying the mayor had been involved on the issue for months and consulted with the mayor of Kansas City, a city that has dealt with the problem for years, according to The Kansas City Star.
The legislation’s pause likely pushes its implementation back to August, barring any unexpected action by the full council at its next meeting, Fleming said.
“It’s the feeling of the mayor’s office that we need action sooner rather than later,” he said. “Particularly as we enter summer.”
Council member Westmoreland said he wasn’t hopeful the legislation would put a stop to takeovers, but that it would be another tool to help deterrence. Ultimately, he believed more enforcement was needed to curtail the events.
A police department spokesperson declined comment on the legislation being pulled from the agenda.
Street takeovers have become a priority for the area’s lawmakers, as the events continue to draw large crowds and attention. Milwaukee police said there have been at least 59 known street takeovers since the start of the year.
On June 8, a street takeover was held at 14th and Burnham streets following a Puerto Rican Day Festival and Parade at Mitchell Park.
Hundreds congregated at the intersection to watch cars enter the intersection to squeal their tires or do donuts. Food trucks were nearby as those there listened to music and enjoyed the evening. Some shot off fireworks. It was largely a festive atmosphere with attendees’ moods high and most said they felt safe.
Police began dispersing the event, which had filled over a block’s worth of streets, around 8 p.m.
Pérez went to the event and said he was angered by it. He got close to where the vehicles were doing “stunts” and said he felt unsafe. He recalled a shooting occurred at one of these events in the past and he worried it could happen again.
“It’s fun until someone can be hurt,” Pérez said.
On June 9, Mayor Johnson said he attended the cultural festival earlier in the day. The street takeover was “unacceptable” and becomes a quality-of-life issue for those who live in the area near where they happened.
“There’s a time and place for celebration,” he said. “But what happened afterwards is unacceptable.”
Street takeovers, also known as car meets, have happened all across the city and can often be more chaotic than the June 8 incident.
In late May, street takeovers were addressed by Milwaukee police during a city committee meeting. There police officials said drivers often use license plate flippers, which flip between a real and fake plate, and drivers will wear masks. At some, attendees have fired fireworks at responding authorities, said Milwaukee Police Captain Phillip Simmert II during the meeting.
Organizers arrange these via encrypted messaging apps and will scout out if law enforcement is at a possible location for one before arriving, he said.
Takeovers have occurred at 37th and Wells, Cesar Chavez and Greenfield, Oakland and Locust, 61st and Florist, among other locations.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee politicians attempt to pump the brakes on street takeovers
Reporting by David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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