| By Big Radio News Staff |
The Janesville City Council unanimously approves an update to its anti-cruising ordinance aimed at curbing reckless driving police says has plagued the city’s Milton Avenue and Humes Road retail corridor.
The ordinance gives Janesville Police the authority to fine drivers seen passing the same control point more than twice in a any two hour period between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Janesville Police Chief Chad Pearson says in 2024, 32% of all traffic-related police calls along Milton Avenue came during the hours of 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.
He says about 50% of all traffic-related arrests and 73% of all traffic citations came during during peak cruising hours in 2024.
Last year, the city spent $30,000 in grant-funded overtime for extra patrol officers to focus on cruisers who misbehave on Milton Avenue.
The new anti-cruising fine structure would beef up police sanctions for people in cars, pickup trucks and sport motorcycle who try to use the Milton Avenue retail corridor as a race track.
For a first violation, the fine is between $50 to $250. If the person has a prior violation in the past 12 months, the fine is $100 to $500.
The anti-cruising rules also give the city the OK to tow and impound vehicles they spot driving recklessly or racing on Milton Avenue.
Pearson says police will use squad cars equipped with license plate scanning cameras to keep track of repeat cruisers who use the strip for reckless driving that puts others at risk.
Pearson says those repeat offenders will likely find they’re among the first ones who police will pulled over for reckless driving on Milton Avenue.
