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Brown Deer adopts ordinance allowing impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving
Summary
The board unanimously adopted an ordinance enabling the village to impound vehicles used in reckless driving, following staff explanation of the statutory reckless-driving standard and procedures for towing, citation and release.
The Brown Deer Village Board voted unanimously on Nov. 17 to adopt an ordinance authorizing officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving. Staff explained the ordinance implements a change at the state-legislature level that permits municipalities to adopt local rules to impound vehicles when an operator's conduct "endangers the safety of another person or property" through negligent operation, the statutory standard for reckless driving referenced in the meeting.
Staff described operational details: vehicles would be towed and stored with a contracted towing company (Leader Towing was identified as the village's current service), and vehicle release would require satisfying the citation and paying impound fees. Trustees asked about exceptions when a vehicle is later determined to be stolen; staff said stolen-vehicle findings would require the vehicle to be released.
Board members also asked how supervisors would review a determination that driving was reckless; staff said internal procedures and supervisor approval will be developed. After discussion, trustees voted by roll call and adopted the ordinance; the transcript records the adoption as unanimous.
