Lawmakers again propose allowing Milwaukee to install red light cameras to target reckless driving

By Lynn Sommers On Feb 1, 2023

MATT: TODAY AT 27TH AND VLIET IN MILWAUKEE, POLICE WITH RADAR GUNS IN HAND, JUST DAYS AFTER A DRIVER, POLICE SAY IN A STOLEN CAR, BLEW A RED LIGHT KILLING A 64-YEAR-OLD IN TAXI. NOW A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS IS AGAIN PUSHING TO ALLOW MILWAUKEE TO INSTALL RED LIGHT CAMERAS. THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW MILWAUKEE POLICE TO CAPTURE AND TICKET DRIVERS CAUGHT SPEEDING MORE THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS MILWAUKEE’S RECKLESS DRIVING EPIDEMIC. >> LOOK, IT IS 2023. WE KNOW THAT POLICE OFFICERS CAN’T BE IN EVERY INTERSECTION OR EVERY HOME SO IF WE CAN USE TECHNOLOGY TO HELP POLICE DO THEIR JOB THEN I THINK IT’S ALL FOR THE BETTER. MATT: THE ATTEMPTS AT THE CAPITOL HAVE PREVIOUSLY FAILED, AND OPPOSITION FROM SOME KEY LAWMAKERS IS STILL STRONG. IS THERE ANY SCENARIO WHERE YOU WOULD FOR THIS THIS SESSION? >> ABSOLUTELY NOT. I DON’T KNOW WHAT WORLD THEY’RE IN, BUT I’VE GOT TO TELL YOU INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OPERATING RECKLESSLY AT HIGH RATES OF SPEEDS, BLOWING THROUGH AUTOMATIC SIGNALS ARE NOT YOUR REGULAR, AVERAGE DRIVER. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE RECKLESSLY UNTIL YOU HAVE ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET TO AFFECT TRAFFIC STOPS. MATT: DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE THIS CAN ACTUALLY WORK AND DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THIS? MAYOR JOHNSON THE BENEFIT FOR US : IS WE’RE ABLE TO LEARN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES AND BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES TO HELP REDUCE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THOSE OTHER COMMUNITIES. JOYCE: MATT JOINING US LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM. MATT, WALK THROUGH THE NEXT STEP AND WHY THE CITY NEEDS PERMISSION FOR CAMERAS. MATT: STATE LAW CURRENTLY PROHIBITS ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FROM INSTALLING CAMERAS TO CATCH DRIVERS RUNNING RED LIGHTS OR SPEEDING. THIS BILL WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE. LAST SESSION A HEARING WASN’T EVEN HELD. AT THIS POINT, IT IS HARD TO TELL IF THERE’S MORE MOVEMEN

The proposal has failed to gain traction in previous legislative sessions

Updated: 7:00 PM CST Feb 1, 2023

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers is again proposing legislation that would allow Milwaukee to install red light cameras in an effort to curb reckless driving. The legislation would allow Milwaukee police to capture and ticket drivers caught speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit. “We know that police officers can’t be in every intersection or every home,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who supports the measure. “So if we can use technology to help police do their job, then I think it’s all for the better.” A bill was circulated Tuesday sponsored by Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Todd Novak (D-Dodgeville) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee). Previous attempts at the State Capitol have failed, and opposition from some key lawmakers is still strong. “I don’t know what world they’re in, but I’ve got to tell you individuals who are operating recklessly at high rates of speed, blowing through automatic signals are not your regular, average driver,” State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said. “They will continue to operate recklessly until you have enough police officers on the street to stop traffic stops.”The legislation, as written, would only apply to the city of Milwaukee. State law currently prohibits law enforcement agencies from installing cameras to catch drivers running red lights or speeding. TOP STORIES:Jury finds Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicideFamily: baby’s mother gave woman a ride before deadly stolen car crash We Energies customers experiencing a heating bill hike this winter

MILWAUKEE —

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers is again proposing legislation that would allow Milwaukee to install red light cameras in an effort to curb reckless driving.

The legislation would allow Milwaukee police to capture and ticket drivers caught speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit.

“We know that police officers can’t be in every intersection or every home,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who supports the measure. “So if we can use technology to help police do their job, then I think it’s all for the better.”

A bill was circulated Tuesday sponsored by Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee).

Previous attempts at the State Capitol have failed, and opposition from some key lawmakers is still strong.

“I don’t know what world they’re in, but I’ve got to tell you individuals who are operating recklessly at high rates of speed, blowing through automatic signals are not your regular, average driver,” State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said. “They will continue to operate recklessly until you have enough police officers on the street to stop traffic stops.”

The legislation, as written, would only apply to the city of Milwaukee. State law currently prohibits law enforcement agencies from installing cameras to catch drivers running red lights or speeding.