Overview
- County Executive David Crowley signed the ordinance on Wednesday allowing the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to tow vehicles involved in reckless driving, effective immediately.
- The rule lets deputies impound cars at first offense across all MCSO patrol areas, including freeways, city streets, and county parks.
- Drivers cited for reckless driving face a reported $1,000 citation and must pay towing and storage fees to reclaim their vehicles.
- County officials framed the change as following the Milwaukee Police Department’s November first‑offense towing policy, which has resulted in about 115 tows, and noted deputies investigated 153 reckless‑driving incidents countywide over the past two years.
- Officials say the measure aims to curb street takeovers and dangerous driving as part of Vision Zero for 2037, but critics warn it could impose heavy costs on crash victims and require expanded towing and impound logistics.