Janesville Police gain authority to impound vehicles at ‘cruise nights’ hotspot

JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO) — Janesville has given its police force the ability to impound or tow vehicles as part of an effort to crack down on noise, vagrancy, and violence that have resulted from “cruise nights” on the strip.

The City Council passed an ordinance covering the area from Milton Avenue to the northeast business corridor, in response to noise disturbances, disorderly conduct, fights that have resulted in crashes, drunk driving, stabbings and shootings that have resulted authorities said both citizens and drivers from around the region coming to “cruise the strip.”

“Now, some of you may be asking, Why? They aren’t hurting anyone.’ Well, officers spend a considerable amount of time responding to a range of complaints,” police said in a statement. “Moreover, this has been a long-standing nuisance for our residents and those visiting our city.”

Under the new ordinance, police will have the authority to impound and tow unregistered vehicles, as well as vehicles operated by reckless drivers. Additionally, more officers will be patroling the designated areas, and enforcing loitering ordinances.