Effort will focus on reckless driving
Police ID 2 killed in Saturday crash
A new reckless driving initiative involving private funding was announced Monday as officials identified two men killed in a weekend crash on Milwaukee’s northwest side.
Two area businesses and a publicprivate partnership have contributed $15,000 for overtime pay for officers to concentrate on four intersections on both the north and south sides, Ald. Bob Donovan said.
The new initiative, called Operation Take It EZ, will target the intersections of North 60th Street and West Capitol Drive; North 27th Street at West Center Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue; South Chavez Drive at West Greenfield and Muskego avenues; and South 35th Street and West National Avenue, Donovan said.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the men killed in the crash as the driver Naeemah Wheeler, 41, and Isaiah Jacobs, 30, both of Milwaukee.
Jacobs died at the scene of the crash, reported shortly after 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the 9100 block of West Good Hope Road, according to Milwaukee police.
Wheeler was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The men were northbound on 91st Street when Wheeler disregarded a red light and struck an eastbound vehicle, officials said.
The two occupants of the eastbound vehicle suffered injuries that are not life-threatening, police said.
Operation Take It EZ will be funded by the law firm of Hupy and Abraham, the Kohn Law Firm and by “Operation Impact,” Donovan said.
“Operation Impact” is a public-private partnership to improve safety and quality of life in the area bordered by the Menomonee Valley, South Chavez Drive, West Lincoln Avenue and South 39th Street.
Donovan said he cannot recall any previous traffic enforcement efforts in Milwaukee that have involved private funding.
Donovan announced the initiative at a news conference at South Chavez Drive at West Greenfield and Muskego avenues.
He was joined Police Chief Alfonso Morales and city and state officials.