Council approves licensing changes to enhance security at downtown parking facilities

The Common Council today unanimously approved sweeping changes in the way the city licenses downtown parking facilities – a move aimed at significantly increasing security for those using the popular downtown ramps and lots.

Sponsored by Alderman Robert J. Bauman the legislation (Council File #171671) will require that parking lot license applications be signed by property owners as well as parking lot operators, and stipulates that no license application will be considered without a completed security plan. Additionally, new and renewal license applications possibly subject to non-renewal must be reviewed by the Milwaukee Police Department to evaluate the suitability of security measures to be implemented.

Break-ins at the Intermodal Station in recent months – as well as incidents downtown and in the Third Ward – showed glaringly insufficient security on the part of parking facility operators. “Protecting health and safety is a benchmark duty of the city and requiring stricter measures (through licensing) to substantially increase security for the protection of customers and the public is sound policy,” Alderman Bauman said.

Additionally the substitute ordinance approved by the Council:

• Requires that each new and each renewal application possibly subject to non-renewal, suspension or revocation be referred to the Licenses Committee for a hearing.
• Stipulates that additional security measures, as directed by MPD (video surveillance, attendant staffing, lighting, etc.) shall be implemented on a parking lot where two or more security incidents occur in a month. A security incident is defined as any incident on the premises of a parking place that results in criminal harm to parking patrons, vandalism of vehicles, theft of vehicles or property inside vehicles, or any other incidents that threaten patron health, safety and welfare.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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