Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee downtown food truck operators show up at City Hall to protest curfew
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee food truck operators are fearing for their livelihoods after city leaders voted to limit their hours of operation in the name of public safety.
The Common Council unanimously passed a rule that will force food trucks downtown to close by 10 p.m.
It goes into effect May 9. Aldermen argue it will help prevent people from gathering after bars close.
Food truck owners showed up at City Hall on Thursday morning to say they’re not the problem.
Abdallah Ismail runs the Fatty Patty food truck. He said closing his truck at 10 p.m. will be devastating for his business.
“Most of our sales happen during that time,” said Ismail. “It’s the core of our business at 10 p.m. We need the city to let us talk. We need them to listen to us and find a better solution for us if they can.”
Ismail confronted Ald. Robert Bauman at the city hall demonstration.
Bauman represents downtown, and he said the curfew was put in place at the request of the Milwaukee Police.
He also said the police department believes late-night gatherings at food trucks are a contributing factor to the downtown violence.
Bauman said safety is a top priority.
“If the causation issue is correct that they are a part of the problem then we need to act and if there is collateral damage, that’s unfortunate,” said Bauman. “We regret that but the bigger issue here is economic viability of an entire downtown.”
Ismail said the curfew is unnecessary. He said that’s because the food truck operators have always been willing to cooperate with the police.
“When the police came to us and say close it because there is a problem, we close right away even if it’s a busy day, even if we have a line of people,” said Ismail. “We are already helping the city.”
Bauman said the curfew will move forward as planned, and if it doesn’t work, the Common Council could reconsider the measure.
In the meantime, the food truck operators just hope they can protect their financial livelihood.
The City of Milwaukee announced June 10 that police and the District Attorney’s Office achieved an 84% conviction rate actively litigated first-offense reckless driving charges in 2025, up from 15% in 2023.
Milwaukee City Attorney Evan Goyke said the city’s coordinated reckless driving enforcement policies announced in October 2024 have drastically improved prosecution outcomes for first-offense reckless driving cases in Milwaukee Municipal Court.
In addition, the rate at which reckless driving charges were reduced or amended dropped from 65% in 2023 to zero in 2025.
Goyke said he made a commitment when he took office in April 2024 to make the City Attorney’s Office a more effective prosecutor of reckless driving.
“These numbers are the proof,” Goyke said in the news release. “We stopped plea bargaining reckless driving charges. We are taking cases to trial. We are achieving convictions, and now repeat reckless drivers in Milwaukee know that a second offense can mean criminal prosecution. That is a real consequence, and it is working.”
The city pointed to a decline in traffic fatalities, which fell from 74 in 2023 to 55 in 2025.
Before the new policy was put in place, 65% of actively litigated reckless driving cases in Milwaukee Municipal Court ended in a reduced or amended charge in 2023. Only 15% resulted in a conviction on the original reckless driving charge.
Repeat offenders faced limited consequences because penalty enhancements required prior convictions rather than citations. In 2023, the Wisconsin Legislature amended state statutes to create criminal penalties for second and subsequent reckless driving violations. These penalties include fines of up to $1,000 and up to one year in county jail.
In October 2024, the City Attorney’s Office formalized a coordinated enforcement agreement with the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Under the agreement, MPD issues citations for all provable reckless driving behavior, the City Attorney’s Office does not reduce or dismiss charges in provable cases, and the District Attorney’s Office takes on second and subsequent offenses as criminal matters under the amended statute.
The City Attorney’s Office also invested in training and worked with MPD officers on the evidentiary standards required to make reckless driving cases provable in court. According to Goyke, the approach ensures every reckless driving case receives enhanced review before prosecution.
Goyke said the progress would not be possible without the partnership of prosecutors, police officers and staff working in Milwaukee Municipal Court every day to hold those cited for reckless driving violations accountable.
“Reckless driving is a complex problem. Road design matters. Education matters. Community investment matters. But enforcement and prosecution are the piece of this puzzle that belongs to us, and we are committed to doing that piece at the highest level.”
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
Every week, the Milwaukee Music Premiere sponsored by Density Studios connects the city’s artists with our listening audience. If you’re an artist with a track you’d like us to debut exclusively on Radio Milwaukee, head over to our Music Submission page to learn how.
Today’s premiere provides a great lesson for bands looking to grab someone’s attention about a new track before they even get a chance to listen. In short, it never hurts to include a line like the one supplied to us by Wisconsin Space Program:
“This song was inspired by Austin Powers cutscenes.”
Brilliant.
Befitting the International Man of Mystery, Wisconsin Space Program provided no further explanation or context, leaving us listeners to make our own connection while enjoying “Time Machine” as it debuts here.
The title of the track jives nicely with a band that jumps around the musical timeline, from sunny to psych to stoner. This particular song leans a little heavier, both in the bold guitar riffs and the major frustration bursting from the lyrics:
I don’t wanna hear any of that noise
That cookie-cutter dopamine
I don’t wanna see your pretty face
I need a break from the fake routine
And I don’t wanna think about anything
I just want my time machine
I don’t wanna stare at a little screen
I just want my time machine
The group’s bassist/vocalist Sean Anderson explained further:
“I feel like, growing up, we were fed the idea that the future would be this utopia where technology would be fun and exciting and improve our lives. Now, we’re living in the future, and it sucks. We were promised hoverboards and jet packs when we were kids, and instead we have AI data centers and the ‘doom scroll.’ I just want my time machine. I want to drift silently through the cosmos and block out the noise — maybe go back and ride a dinosaur.’
The song “Time Machine” is a bit of a time machine in and of itself, in that the track was originally supposed to land on Wisconsin Space Program’s debut album, Sun in Your Hands, last June. But the physical limitations of vinyl forced the group to back-pocket it until right now.
Enjoy the delayed gratification by hitting the “Listen” button at the top of the page, or you can catch “Time Machine” playing on 88Nine throughout today (6:30 and 10:30 am.; 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.). Wisconsin Space Program will also be live and in person at Humboldt Park’s Chill on the Hill on June 23.
As temperatures rise and the cold fades away, a whole new Milwaukee comes alive from June to August. From farmers markets to baseball games, the City of Festivals has something to offer everyone this summer.
Enjoy the Weather
Now that the freezing weather has finally gone away, consider checking out some of Milwaukee’s beautiful scenery. Head to one of Lake Michigan’s shorelines. Take a stroll on McKinley Beach or explore the waterways on one of Milwaukee’s many boat tours. Or, if the water isn’t your vibe, slide on your walking shoes and take a hike at one of Milwaukee’s various trails. Explore Three Bridges Park or Seven Bridges for some remarkable views. No matter what you choose, the summer scenery is hard to beat.
Grab a Bite to Eat
Milwaukee is known for some great grub. Head to The Bridgewater Modern Grill to enjoy lakeside dining and delicious seafood. Snack on fresh food and sip on fruity drinks at Estabrook Beer Garden. Or, for a more budget friendly option, head to one of the many food trucks sprinkled around Milwaukee and surround yourself with the sounds of the city while you bite into a scrumptious meal.
Head to A Ball Game
There’s no better place to spend a summer night than at American-Family Field (formerly Miller Park) watching a Brewers Game. Bring a group of friends and grab a hot dog as you enjoy countless baseball traditions at one of the many Brewers games this summer. Select games offer up to a 50% discount for Wisconsin residents.
Explore one of Milwaukee’s many farmers markets
There’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful weather than at a community farmers market. Enjoy all the agriculture the city has to offer at one of the various markets this summer. Whether you’re in the mood for fruit, dairy or flowers, Milwaukee has got you covered. Explore the city’s oldest and largest farmers market—West Allis Farmers Market—open May through October. You can enjoy a lakefront view at the South Shore Farmers Market. If you’re looking for more than food and flowers, head to Wauwatosa for free cooking demos and yoga classes at the Tosa Farmers Market.
Head to the festivals
Milwaukee isn’t known as the City of Festivals for nothing. Head to Summerfest to hear some great music, or, for a more low-key crowd, consider exploring the Summer Solstice Music Festival. If your music taste is a little more hardcore, venture to Milwaukee’s Metal Fest. For a taste of local culture, check out Mexican Fiesta or German Fest. Try some fresh fruit at Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, or see why Milwaukee has been dubbed “Cream City” at a tour of America’s Dairyland. No matter what you choose to attend, you’re bound to have a good time. For a full list of festivals dates and locations, click here.
This article was written by Allison Scherquist, she can be contacted at [email protected]
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