Police chief opposes temporary overnight parking permits for intoxicated patrons, cites public-safety and maintenance concerns

Chief Mark Moyler, chief of the West Bend Police Department, told the City of West Bend board on Nov. 12 that he opposes a proposal to allow bars and restaurants to loan temporary overnight parking permits to patrons who are too intoxicated to drive.

The proposal, brought to the board by member Jeremy Hahn, would let licensed establishments issue one-time parking permits so patrons’ cars would not be towed overnight. "I'm very much against this proposal for three basic reasons," Chief Moyler said. He cited the city's downtown parking ordinance, which he described as a three-hour clearing window (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), the risk of appearing to sanction over-serving at licensed premises, and operational complications for street-clearing and special events.

Moyler said the ordinance exists to allow public works to maintain downtown streets and to preserve customer access. "By giving them a basically get-out-of-jail-free card, we're saying don't over-serve but if you do here then let them park," he said, adding that the police and licensed-premise owners currently work together to limit over-serving and respond to incidents. He encouraged planning alternatives such as parking in public lots, ride services or having someone move a vehicle.

Board members and downtown representatives discussed existing options for patrons, including use of permitted public lots after 5 p.m. and Water Street parking, and said the city already posts guidance about overnight parking in permanent lots. No formal motion to change the ordinance was made; instead, the board reached a procedural outcome.

Direction: Chief Moyler agreed to follow up with board member Jeremy Hahn to continue the conversation and to coordinate messaging to licensed premises and downtown businesses.

Why it matters: The exchange clarifies the police department's position that the city should not create an administrative exception that could undercut enforcement of the downtown parking ordinance or encourage over-serving at licensed establishments. The board did not take binding action to create a permit program during the Nov. 12 meeting.

Ending: Board members said they will continue outreach to licensed premises and patrons about existing parking options; Chief Moyler and Jeremy Hahn planned a follow-up discussion to explore any workable operational solutions without changing the ordinance.