Committee recommends local ordinance to allow impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving; council action to await governor—s signature

A substitute ordinance that would authorize impounding vehicles used in reckless driving cleared the Public Safety and Health Committee on Oct. 23, with members urging the Common Council to hold final action until the governor signs the state enabling legislation.

Alderman Russell Westmoreland introduced file 251072, saying the state—s recent passage of Assembly Bill 78/Senate Bill 65 creates authority for municipalities to permit towing and impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving. "This will allow vehicles to be impounded at the officer's discretion for a first offense," Westmoreland said, adding the change closes what he described as prior statutory "loopholes" that limited towing to repeat offenders who owned the vehicle.

The Milwaukee Police Department described the ordinance as a tool to remove dangerous vehicles from roadways. Assistant Chief Craig Sarno told the committee, "Driving is not in the constitution. It is not a right. It's…