MILWAUKEE — City leaders say reckless driving has become a crisis in Milwaukee.
Community members came together Saturday at the corner of 22nd and Center where a six-year-old girl was killed and two other children were badly injured when they were hit by a car just two days ago. The driver took off.
The incident hits close to home for Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton, who had a similar experience less than two miles away.
“I had to go through it. I felt it. I know,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton knows firsthand, the impact of reckless driving.
“The violation that you feel when you experience a situation like that, it completely throws your life off track,” Hamilton said.
Two weeks ago he was hit by a driver running a red light at 20th and Capitol.
“They misjudged that gap and broadsided me on the passenger side,” Hamilton said.
The driver kept going, leaving Hamilton behind to pick up the pieces. Thankfully, he was able to walk away from the crash with just a few bruises, and police were able to track down the man responsible. Others aren’t as lucky as him.
“We have children that are dying because of this reckless behavior,” Hamilton said during a press conference with other city leaders to address the problem of reckless driving.
He and the rest of the common council are united when it comes to the issue.
"This is not a video game. This is life and death,” District 11, Alderman Mark Borkowski said.
“The community is tired of this,” District 15, Alderman Russell Stamper said. “Now is the time for strict enforcement.”
Not one district is immune. The issue is impacting everyone and city leaders said they’re not going to let it continue. Officials sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers and state lawmakers asking for any resources they can offer, because they’re at the point where education and awareness initiatives aren’t enough.
“Having these types of press conferences is growing numb on the conscience of the community,” Hamilton said.
The aldermen are looking into ways to help fund overtime for traffic patrol officers, and restore 30 of the 60 officer positions that would be eliminated under the proposed 2020 budget.
“You’re going to see a bunch of recommendations, a bunch of accountability and a bunch of enforcement because we have no alternative,” Stamper said.
As for Hamilton, he’s now motivated more than ever to make change. The council also plans to expand the Take It EZ campaign with officers stepping up patrols at the most dangerous intersections in the city.
