MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police say they will begin impounding the vehicles of reckless drivers who break state law.
They are taking this suggestion by the county's Reckless Driving Task Force to tow or boot vehicles driven illegally by reckless drivers. Their cars will end up at Milwaukee's tow lot with expenses adding up each day.
Milwaukee police want reckless drivers to know that there's now a new consequence for breaking state law: having their car taken away until they can afford to pay off traffic citations and towing fees.
"You have individuals who are driving without a license, driving without a registered vehicle, they have no insurance, they're driving under the influence…. arrests such as these may result in the towing of your vehicle," said Chief Alfonso Morales.
Lavonte Davis of Milwaukee just found out how expensive that consequence can be. Each day cost him an additional $20 to keep his car at Milwaukee's tow lot and living paycheck to paycheck, it took him two weeks to round up the funds.
"I paid $312 to register it today and I just paid them $310 in there to get it out of tow," he said.
Davis said he was busted for an unregistered vehicle without a parking permit. Milwaukee police are changing their policy as allowed by state law to do the same to reckless drivers caught in the act without a license and registration.
"I'm pretty sure a lot of people are going to lose their cars, I'm almost sure," Davis said.
In the past two weeks, Milwaukee police have stopped 539 drivers. Morales said 136 were cited for driving more than 20 miles over the speed limit.
Mayor Tom Barrett says the drastic measure in towing and booting vehicles is needed to keep our neighborhoods safe.
"I think it's important for us to send a very strong message if you're going to put others' lives in danger, there are going to be consequences," Barrett said.
Barrett said drivers could see this implemented very soon.
