MILWAUKEE — With reckless driving becoming the norm in Milwaukee, there is a debate brewing in Madison over whether the city needs more tools to deal with the problem.

For several years, some lawmakers have pushed for more cameras in the state's biggest city. However, the efforts have yet to make it across the finish line.

Under the proposal, the cameras would be used only in Milwaukee to crack down on those who recklessly speed over 20 miles per hour and run red lights. The effort would be targeted to the worst spots in the city.

What You Need To Know

  • The proposal would allow red light cameras only in the City of Milwaukee

  • Cameras would be used to target those who recklessly speed over 20 MPH or run red lights

  • Under the proposal, the use of cameras would be a part of a temporary 5-year pilot project

  • If passed, the City of Milwaukee would be responsible for implementing the cameras

State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, said the city needs help from the state. She cited the nearly 29,000 reckless driving while speeding tickets that were issued in 2021 alone.

“What we are seeing is a 65% increase in traffic-related deaths, and that's extremely alarming,” Johnson explained. “It's not just going to catch, you know, your regular citizen that is maybe rushing to work and going maybe six or seven miles over. This is designed to catch those offenders that are really using our streets as race tracks.”

The idea is hardly a new one. Milwaukee Co. Executive David Crowley tried to get the bill passed when he was a lawmaker in the Assembly.

“This is not going to solve all of our problems when it comes down to reckless driving and speeding,” Crowley said. “This is really about how do we make sure our law enforcement actually have the tools within their tool belt in order to deter this type of action happening in our community.”

Though concerns about automatically issuing tickets have been raised, Crowley said it is not that simple.

“It isn't necessarily an automatic ticket,” Crowley explained. “Because you have a live police officer, a real police officer, reviewing any infraction that is caught on any of these cameras.”

Some lawmakers are still skeptical. However, the proposal has bipartisan support, including from State Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, who serves as both a mayor and a state representative.

“This is the question I am getting: Why is a rural legislator from Southwest Wisconsin working with Milwaukee? But Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsinm and it is important that we help Milwaukee and give them the tools they need,” Novak explained.

It is a tool that cannot come fast enough for those who live in Milwaukee, like Sen. Johnson.

“We hear you. We understand your issues because we live in these communities too,” Johnson said.

If the bill does ultimately pass, it would not be a permanent change, and the City of Milwaukee would be responsible for buying and implementing the cameras. 

The program would be a five-year pilot project to find out how much of an impact the cameras have, after which lawmakers could decide to continue their support or scrap it altogether.