Alderman Says He's Cautious About Milwaukee Red Light Cameras

MILWAUKEE, WI — Days after Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he's open to the idea of adding red light cameras to some of Milwaukee's poorest neighborhoods in an effort to curb reckless driving, another city official has come forward — albeit more cautiously on the subject.

Milwaukee alderman Bob Donovan says Milwaukee officials have been "asking the State of Wisconsin for permission to install these cameras for years. It makes me wonder where the Mayor’s been all this time."

When it came to affirming or opposing the Mayor's position on red light cameras, Donovan's statement stopped short of a clear 'yes' or 'no', calling himself a "reluctant convert to the case for red light cameras," and that they're not an effective substitute for criminal justice reforms or police staffing increases.

"Until district attorneys and judges start treating reckless driving in all forms as a serious offense – potentially even resulting in imprisonment – there will be no real change. Until there are enough police officers assigned to patrol our streets and enforce our laws there will, similarly, be no real change," Donovan wrote Tuesday.

Barrett Supports Red Light Bills

Under current law in Wisconsin, law enforcement officers may not use any radar device combined with photographic identification of a vehicle to determine compliance with
motor vehicle speed limits.

According to JSOnline, there are two red light bills currently circulating through the capitol.
Under the 2019 Assembly Bill 365, a five-year program would be set up that would allow local law enforcement agencies to use red light cameras for speed limit enforcement.

Under the bill, with exceptions, the vehicle owner is subject to a forfeiture for a speed limit violation detected by the red light camera. However, no traffic citation may be issued for a speed limit violation that's less than 20 miles per hour over the limit.

In a WTMJ interview, Barrett said he's ready for red light cameras in Milwaukee, but wanted to make sure their installation helps curb reckless driving.

"That's happened in some cities where it becomes a cash cow. I want this for public safety. I want us to make sure that the reckless driving that's occurring, that we're able to zero in on that."

Report Also Recommends Red Light Cameras

"I invite all of you to read the report of the Carjacking and Reckless Driving Task Force ably chaired by my colleague, Ald. Michael Murphy. It is a difficult read. It tells a story of a community that seems to know where the problems really are but too often lacks the political will to do the heavy lifting, favoring instead shiny objects like red light cameras which, if nothing else, seem easy," Donovan wrote, referring to a 2019 report.

"It took a long time to create the dangerous environment in which we find ourselves. It will take time and effort to find our way out. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something."

Under that report, which can be found here, officials have made a raft of recommendations to improve traffic safety based on a variety of factors, including law changes, traffic engineering changes and prevention campaigns.

Under the section of the report authored by members of the Accountability and Enforcement subcommittee, installation of red light cameras was one recommendation named in the report. "Red light cameras have proven an effective deterrent and enforcement tool in other jurisdictions," the report stated.