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Milwaukee police chase policy changes take effect Feb. 6; what to know

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Milwaukee police chase policy changes take effect Feb. 6; what to know


Changes to the Milwaukee Police Department’s pursuit policy will take effect Feb. 6, tightening the circumstances under which officers may chase reckless drivers.

What we know:

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Under the updated policy, speed alone can no longer be the sole reason for a pursuit. Officers must identify at least one additional factor, such as a collision with another vehicle, forcing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a crash, or failing to slow or stop at a controlled intersection.

The policy change follows a deadly year for police chases in Milwaukee. Six pursuit-related crashes resulted in the deaths of nine people in 2025, according to department data. 

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However, some community members and officials question whether the changes will prevent future tragedies.

Local perspective:

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It was June 8, 2024, when Tiffany Stark said her daughter’s father, Anthony Higgins, was critically injured after a vehicle fleeing police slammed into him. Higgins later died from his injuries.

“I think about all the people that died, but we also needed to think about the people that have survived,” said Tiffany Stark.

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Stark said Higgins lived for 16 months with severe injuries before his death.

“His last 16 months of life was no life. It was no quality of life so I think,” said Stark.  “A spinal cord injury paralyzed him from the neck out.”

Higgins’ death was one of several fatalities linked to police chases in 2025, a key reason MPD said it is revising its pursuit policy.

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“My captains have talked to the community, I’ve talked to the community,” said MPD Chief Norman.

Big picture view:

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MPD presented the policy change last week during a Fire and Police Commission meeting. Norman said officers must weigh the risk a pursuit poses to the public.

“I do understand the responsibility of what a 4,000 pound vehicle is to our community,” said Norman.

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The proposal drew pushback from some commissioners, who questioned whether the policy would have altered outcomes in past cases.

“When I was reading the policy I was saying to myself – would any of the fatalities of this year not happened under this policy? And I don’t think the answer is yes,” said Commissioner Bree Spencer.

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MPD data shows that in addition to the fatal crashes, 233 of 970 police pursuits in 2025 ended in crashes.

As for the new policy, Stark said she remains unconvinced it will save lives.

“I don’t feel the changes are gonna save any lives,” said Stark.

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The Source: FOX6 News obtained Milwaukee Police Department data and utilized prior coverage.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee flooding traps drivers and leaves thousands without power

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Milwaukee flooding traps drivers and leaves thousands without power


MILWAUKEE — Severe storms swept through Milwaukee, causing significant flooding and leaving thousands of residents without power.

Near Timmerman Airport at 97th Street and Hampton Avenue, rapidly rising water trapped multiple drivers. At least five vehicles became stuck in the floodwaters. TMJ4’s Mike Beiermeister called 911 after finding four people inside one of the submerged cars. Emergency services responded, and all drivers and passengers were able to get out safely.

Watch: Milwaukee flooding traps drivers and leaves thousands without power

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Multiple cars stuck in flooded streets

The high water concealed a median on the road. As drivers attempted to turn around to avoid the flooding, they did not see the median and drove straight into it, becoming stuck.

Atrilla Wilson witnessed the scene unfold.

“It was pretty much like last year in August. It just came and so fast that you couldn’t control it, and watching them go into those medians was the dangerous part,” Wilson said.

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Wilson noted that other drivers created additional hazards by not paying attention to the people trying to stop traffic.

“People just driving through here and not stopping, they just going through here and then filming while they’re driving, and it’s just been a whirlwind,” Wilson said.

The storms knocked out power for 24,500 customers across the area. Wilson and his neighbors were among those left in the dark.

“Everybody around here has got to go to work in the morning, so they depend on the electricity to get them up and getting them going, so hopefully before the end of the night we get electricity,” Wilson said.

Flooding and ponding were also reported on Silver Spring Drive and Mill Road. Authorities advise residents to stay home and avoid driving through flooded roadways.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee shooting near 12th and Locust; 20-year-old wounded

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Milwaukee shooting near 12th and Locust; 20-year-old wounded


Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

Milwaukee police say a 20-year-old was shot and wounded near 12th and Locust on Tuesday, April 14. 

12th and Locust

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What we know:

Officials said the shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. 

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Milwaukee police are seeking an unknown shooter.

Call with tips

What you can do:

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Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or the P3 Tips App.

The Source: Information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Wave makes another dramatic comeback to reach MASL finals

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Milwaukee Wave makes another dramatic comeback to reach MASL finals


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  • The Milwaukee Wave advanced to the Major Arena Soccer League championship after defeating the Baltimore Blast.
  • Milwaukee won Game 2 of the series 5-4 and then secured the series win with a 2-1 victory in a 15-minute knockout game.
  • Veteran Andre Hayne scored the decisive goal with 55 seconds left in the knockout game.

The Milwaukee Wave performed MASL playoff magic for the second time April 13, coming back after losing the first game of a playoff series to advance.

Now the team with seven arena soccer titles will play for an eighth, having knocked off the Baltimore Blast with victories of 5-4 in Game 2 and 2-1 in the 15-minute knockout game that followed at the UWM Panther Arena.

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Venezuelan rookie forward Oscar Flores scored two goals in the first victory, the first to tie the game at 3-3 late in the third quarter and then the clincher midway through the fourth. On Flores’ final goal, he picked up a ball bounced hard off the boards by defender Stuart Grable and directed it in behind his back with his right heel.

Baltimore scored 32 seconds into the knockout game, but Wave rookie goalkeeper Gerardo Perez came forward and tied the game with a rebound goal six minutes later. That set the stage for veteran forward Andre Hayne, who took a pass from Ian Bennett and pounded it home with 55 seconds left.

The Wave, under first-year head coach Marcio Leite, won its quarterfinal series with the Empire Strykers in similar fashion, losing the first game before winning 60- and 15-minute games in one night.

Milwaukee won’t know its opponent until April 19th, when the St. Louis Ambush and San Diego Sockers play the second and possibly third game of their semifinal series.



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