Law enforcement agencies launch unified plan to decrease reckless driving in SE Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol and several surrounding law enforcement agencies revealed on Wednesday, May 1 a unified plan to decrease reckless driving in the City of Milwaukee and adjacent areas.

Officials say so far in 2019, there have been 16 fatalities as a result of reckless driving in the City of Milwaukee. This is a reduction from 2018 -- and officials say they do not want to see a repeat of 2017 when the city had a record number of fatalities.

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales

"This is a team effort amongst our law enforcement partners here in the Milwaukee County area and the state of Wisconsin," said Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales.

The police chief added this plan to unify against reckless driving came after comments made at a town hall meeting. People wanted to know if the police department and Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office were working collaboratively when they saw deputies patrolling some areas of the city.

"We weren't. We were just doing it in our own way, in our own jurisdiction. Why not do it together, why not use data, why not use technology, and why not use the community and messaging that we are doing this together," Morales said.

Morales indicated in the months ahead, the public will be seeing messaging from multiple law enforcement agencies that talks about the dangers of driving recklessly.