You see a fatal car crash like the picture to the left and think to yourself, I see too many crashes. And then later in the day you are watching a TV newscast or listening to the radio or catching news on your mobile device only to hear about more crashes. The number of car crashes in the City of Milwaukee is an epidemic and creates a significant public health crisis.

Recent statistics from the Wisconsin DOT showed the number of crashes went down in the first couple months during the lockdown, but in June and July the number of deaths jumped dramatically. Through November we have had 64 fatal crashes with 72 fatalities this year. Last year, for example, we had 45 fatal crashes with 49 deaths.

This is startling news when one drives on our streets. As we continue to review the numbers, we are astonished by the fact that in the last five years the City averages fifty-five deaths each year. In 2019, speed accounted for 66% of the crashes.

The Coalition for Safe Driving MKE, a group of community leaders and engaged residents, are working to draw attention to this epidemic in our City. The same DOT report quoted above focuses on “ten hot-spots” in the City of Milwaukee. These ten areas are responsible for an average of 735 crashes each year with 243 of them being injury crashes. This is an average from the last five years. These ten speed zones are responsible for 25% of the crashes in Milwaukee.

It is hard to pinpoint why drivers are speeding, but one factor seems to be the increase in police pursuits. We reviewed a published 2019 Fire and Police Commission report on vehicle pursuits. It highlights the years up to 2018. We learned that pursuits escalated from 369 in 2017 to 940 in 2018.

A more extensive DOT study (Jan. 2018-Dec. 2019) shows that in that period there were 481 pursuits with 502 crashes.

The same report raises an even more important fact—98% of the chases are at speeds over 40-60 MPH. Most startling is the fact that 33% of those chases average over 80 MPH.

This year there have been 505 chases with 434 of taking place on City streets. Two individuals have been killed in chases while 8 officers involved in chases have been injured. Most disconcerting is the fact that 12 bystanders have been injured in these chases.

With all this in mind, is it time to revisit the policy of vehicle chases on City Streets? Chief Flynn’s Standard Operating Policy (SOP), before he was mandated to change the policy by the Fire and Police Commission, stated that officers could only initiate a vehicle chase if an officer had reason to believe that someone in the car had committed a felony.

The new SOP adopted in 2019 opened with a comprehensive statement. MPD adopted Wis. Stat. § 346.03(6) from the International Association of Chiefs of Police Model Policy Guidelines which states: “Pursuit is authorized only if the officer has a reasonable belief that the suspect, if allowed to flee, would present a danger to human life or cause serious injury. In general, pursuits for minor violations are discouraged.” With the huge increase in the number of chases, it is arguable that this dramatic change in pursuit numbers is caused by officers chasing drivers who may have committed a minor offense rather than a felony.

We are concerned that officers make the decision to pull over someone who is breaking a municipal traffic law, turn on the light bar and the driver bolts. A chase ensues! Sometimes, officers decide to stop the pursuit, but the car keeps speeding away creating a very dangerous scenario on the streets and endangering all in its path.

Fear, irreparable harm and damage are being caused by the reckless driving involved with these police pursuits. Maybe it’s time for the Fire and Police Commission to revisit their policies and review their Standard Operating Procedures. Too many lives are being endangered by these chases. With the upcoming transition of a new police administration, maybe the community can work with the new Police Chief and the Commission to work toward a safer environment on our City streets. We could certainly benefit from a new strategy on how to address this public health crisis!

To learn more about us and support our efforts, please go to: www.coalitionforsafedrivingmke.com.

2018 Fire and Police Commission Vehicle Pursuit Report, Dave Gelting, Research and Policy Analyst

WI DOT/BOTS Crash Data Analysis—Milwaukee Police Department January 2018-December 2019, and January-November 2020 Pursuit with Crashes

Wis. Stat. § 346.03(6) and International Association of Chiefs of Police Model Policy Guidelines

Milwaukee Police Department—Standard Operating Procedure 660—Vehilce Pursuits and Emergency Vehicle Operations; General Order 2019-19, Effective May 17, 2019. Issued: May 17, 2019. ACTION: Amends General Order 2017-50; WILEAG STANDARD(s) 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.2.11.