Traffic Stops are going to change slightly so be patient with the officers.  Wisconsin Act 28; S.S. 16.964 and S.S. 349.027  from the Office of Justice Assistance have made it Mandatory that starting Jan 1, 2011 Law Enforcement must collect Traffic Stop Data Collection on every traffic stop they make.  When do they do it – ALL STOPS – Citations, Arrests, Warnings (written and oral) and No Action Taken.  This means with every traffic stop they have to do additional paperwork.  This additional paperwork includes identifying every person in the vehicle at the time of the stop.  Then they have to turn the paperwork into the police department and we have to do paperwork and then submit it to the state.  Why is the state of Wisconsin doing this – because legislators and community groups are concerned that the new primary seatbelt enforcement law would unfairly target racial minorities; community concerns and national reports about Wisconsin over representation of minorities in the criminal justice system and recommendation made by the governor’s Task Force on Racial Profiling.  An annual report will be done.

We have entered into an agreement with DOCVIEW,LLC to place our accident reports On-Line.  We no longer service mailed requests for accident reports at the police department.  To request an accident report you must go to www.docview.us.com .  This is an Internet based application. Reports are now available 24 hours a day via internet, you no longer have to come to the police department.  Reports are in a PDF format making them easy to view, save, print and email.  At the scene of an accident the officers will give you a card that gives you the information that you need to give to your insurance company for obtaining the report or for your use.

Starting Dec 1, 2010 TEXTING WHILE DRIVING is against the law.  Under this new law, first time offenses will be punished with fines of $20 to $400, along with having four points assessed on their driving records.  Second-time violators will see fines ranging from $200 to $800.  The law is primary, meaning police can stop someone for texting instead of first having to pull them over for another offense, like speeding.