Within the first two months of a new state law, the Milwaukee Police Department has towed away 31 vehicles used by reckless drivers.
That’s according to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, who cited the figure at a Thursday, Jan. 8 news conference on the city’s crime statistics. The new law appears to be creating the intended effect – allowing police to more readily tow cars involved in reckless driving.
“That’s … 31 vehicles off the street,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “We don’t have those cars being used as weapons against our fellow citizens.”
In 2025, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers worked to strengthen an existing law that allows police to impound a vehicle after arresting a reckless driver or issuing a citation.
Under the new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in late October, police can now send a vehicle that’s driven recklessly to the city’s tow lot, whether or not the driver has a reckless driving record.
To get their car back, drivers must pay any outstanding fines and towing costs – at least $150, plus $25 daily storage fees.
The expanded law also applies to stolen or borrowed cars, though police must attempt to track down the owner, who doesn’t have to pay for the costs of towing and storage.
The law also authorizes Milwaukee to get rid of the vehicle, similar to abandoned cars, if it remains unclaimed for 90 days.
More: Milwaukee police warn reckless drivers they could have cars towed under new law
Over 33,000 people per year were involved in car crashes in Milwaukee in 2024 and 2025. Of those, 67 died in 2024 and 60 died in 2025, according to data from MPD’s Traffic Safety Unit. One person has died this year.
While deaths have declined, police data shows that car crashes and hit-and-run crashes have remained consistent across both years. Johnson described the city’s reckless driving as “out of control” when he took office in 2021.
For years, the city has worked beyond just policing tactics to address it. Street construction projects with measures meant to deter speeding have shown effectiveness early on.
Reckless driving has been the city’s most glaring public safety issue in the eyes of residents.
Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission, an oversight body, found in a 2024 survey that 88% of residents were “very concerned” with reckless driving. That survey was done before the new law was passed.
The state law doesn’t automatically give every public safety agency the authority to tow away recklessly driven vehicles. Communities must first pass a local ordinance that gives police officers the discretion to use it.
While the expanded law came at the Milwaukee Common Council’s request, several suburbs also have passed an ordinance to give their police departments the option.
A handful of suburban police departments that spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said they haven’t towed any vehicles yet but are working to put procedures in place.
West Allis adopted the ordinance Oct. 21 – before Milwaukee’s passed Nov. 4 – based on the pending state law. The West Allis ordinance notes that it was the first community in Milwaukee County to implement the original law, which police found too restrictive.
The West Allis Police Department is in the final stages of developing policies to “ensure the correct decisions are made regarding the towing of vehicles,” Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher said in an email.
“Once this policy is completed, the WAPD intends on using the ordinance when the situation applies.”
Shorewood enacted its ordinance Dec. 1. The Shorewood Police Department is “still in the community education phase of enacting this ordinance with intent to fully execute its discretionary application within a few weeks,” Chief of Police Heather Wurth wrote in an email.
The village posted about the ordinance on Facebook, explaining that police may decide to tow a vehicle based on the severity of behavior, immediate safety risks, whether the driver can legally operate the vehicle and if the vehicle’s condition poses a hazard.
Brown Deer approved its ordinance Nov. 17 but hasn’t towed any vehicles yet, its police department said.
More: Wisconsin lawmakers’ latest idea to tackle reckless driving uses new tech to limit speed
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@gannett.com.

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