Law makers push to make “eluding police” penalties harsher

Regular visitors to KFIZ.com know there are lots of police chases we report on, but this isn’t isolated to a Fond du Lac County problem. Police pursuits are up all over
the state and proposed legislation would toughen penalties against drivers who flee police in Wisconsin.

State Representative Bob Donovan of Greenfield testified last Thursday before the Assembly and highlighted the impacts caused by reckless drivers, particularly those fleeing law enforcement.

He said “It is sickening the devastation that they leave in their wake and the community that they leave in destruction.”

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee was also on hand to testify in favor of the bill. He said “this sends a message to the people who are committing these offenses or considering committing these offenses that we take this seriously.”

In Milwaukee, police were involved in over 1000 pursuits last year. Up from 50 in 2012.

In December, a chase in Waukesha County made national news when the driver of a pursued vehicle crashed, killing his two 10-year-old sons he had in the vehicle with him.

The measure would increase penalties and mandatory minimum sentences for offenses involving fleeing an officer.