“This behavior will not be tolerated:" Alderman announces enforcement strategy for 'Miltown Throwdown'

MILWAUKEE -- Following a meeting Monday, September 28th with officials from the Milwaukee Police Department, Alderman Tony Zielinski has announced a new strategy for curbing the dangerous nuisance behavior associated with the summer’s “Miltown Throwdown” motorcycle gathering in Milwaukee.

During the event, Zielinski said riders blocked traffic, drove recklessly, damaged property and created a public nuisance.

Hundreds of motorcycles traveled through Milwaukee on Saturday, August 8th -- and there was a collision between a bike and a Milwaukee Police Department squad car near 6th and McKinley. But before that, 911 calls indicated motorcycles were speeding down the street, riding on sidewalks and running red lights.

The motorcycles were taking part in the "Miltown Throwdown" event -- an unsanctioned motorcycle rally where a massive group of sport bikes took over the roads.

At least one person was hurt in that collision involving the bike and the MPD squad. It was captured on camera.

Warning: This video contains strong language and may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.




Prior to the collision near 6th and McKinley -- dispatchers were flooded with dozens of 911 calls. Callers reported motorcycles driving erratically and causing havoc on the roads.

“Milwaukee’s rich motorcycle heritage was sullied by a handful of bad actors and poor behavior,” Alderman Zielinski said. “But with some proactive policing and the targeted enforcement of our existing ordinances, we have a plan to prevent a repeat of what happened in August.”

Warning: This video contains strong language and may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.




Using news footage and videos taken during the event, Zielinski said MPD has identified participants who served as spokespersons for the event. MPD will hold these individuals responsible, as de facto organizers, for obtaining a permit to host any future events, as well as any traffic violations they may incur.

Failure to obtain a permit would make each organizer subject to a $500 citation for hosting an unpermitted event under city ordinance 105-55.5, as well as a $500 citation for unlawful assembly.

“The organizers of Miltown Throwdown, and anyone else who would disrupt the safe flow of traffic and the peaceful character of our neighborhoods, are on notice,” Alderman Zielinski said. “This kind of behavior simply will not be tolerated.”

Event permitting information is available at milwaukee.gov/SpecialEvents.gov