Milwaukee Police Department Announces New Traffic Safety Initiatives

MILWAUKEE, WI – The City of Milwaukee has seen an increase in the amount of reckless driving and stolen vehicles on its city streets. This has lead to an increase in the amount of fatal accidents, injury accidents, and has created an overall sense of fear on the part of law-abiding citizens using community roadways. This effects a multitude of community stake-holders from citizens to insurance companies.

In an effort to combat reckless driving in the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is partnering with the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP). WSP has offered to provide additional squads as a force multiplier to increase visibility and enhance enforcement efforts. The MPD Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) and WSP will deploy once per week through September 1, 2022, in a targeted area developed by crash data, citizen complaints, aldermanic requests and district concerns.

“Wisconsin State Patrol is ready to help the Milwaukee Police Department with this important partnership to serve and protect the public,” Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “State Patrol officers will help with traffic safety so Milwaukee PD can focus on community safety. We want all of Wisconsin to be safe, and this is one strategy to achieve that.”

“These initiatives aim to increase safety and reduce crime.  They reflect my public safety priorities,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “I appreciate the work of the police department, the support from the Wisconsin State Patrol, and all the efforts from partners throughout Milwaukee who are working to build a safer city.”

In addition, MPD is launching Combat Auto Theft (C.A.T) and bait car programs. C.A.T. allows officers to stop vehicles displaying the C.A.T. decal between the hours of 11:00 p.m., and 5:00 a.m. The officer making the stop needs no other reason to stop the vehicle during these hours if it has the C.A.T. decal displayed. Most vehicles are stolen during the early morning hours without the owner’s knowledge. C.A.T gives MPD the edge in recovering stolen vehicles and and assists in apprehending criminals.

MPD is deploying one or more bait cars that can be safely and remotely disabled by law enforcement in the event an individual attempts to steal it. Nearby officers will then take that individual into custody and pursue criminal charges for auto theft. At least one of the vehicles is a KIA or Hyundai, which has disproportionately been the most commonly stolen vehicle in Milwaukee over the past two years. Potential car thieves should think twice before attempting to steal a vehicle in the City of Milwaukee.

“Through public safety partnerships and innovative programs, the Milwaukee Police Department will continue to combat reckless driving and vehicle thefts in the City of Milwaukee and create a safe environment all Milwaukeans can enjoy.” said Police Chief Jeffrey Norman

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.