Late Saturday night, the intersection of Kinnickinnic Avenue and Lincoln Avenue in Bay View stopped being just another four-way and briefly turned into an unauthorized arena. Two cars took over the crossroads, spinning donuts in the middle of the street while bystanders set off firecrackers, according to video circulating online. Neighbors say police showed up soon after and stayed on scene to keep the takeover from escalating. The pop-up stunt blocked traffic for a short stretch and joins a growing list of street takeovers that have rattled Milwaukee neighborhoods this year.
12 News obtained video of the Bay View incident and reports it happened around 11:45 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Kinnickinnic and Lincoln. The footage shows two cars circling the intersection in tight spins while crowds ring the roadway. According to the outlet, multiple calls about takeovers appeared on the Milwaukee Police Department's overnight call log, and the station has requested comment from MPD.
The Milwaukee Police Department describes street takeovers as gatherings that often include blocked intersections, fireworks and other risky behavior. On its Street Takeovers page, the department says there were 52 known meets in the Milwaukee area as of May 5, 2025. MPD urges anyone who sees a takeover in progress to call 911 and provides anonymous reporting options and tips on how to safely preserve evidence for investigators.
How city leaders have responded
City officials moved last year to give police more tools to clamp down on street takeovers. The Common Council passed an ordinance that broadens who counts as a spectator and makes staging or even watching a takeover a ticketable offense, with fines between $500 and $1,000, according to legislation posted on Milwaukee Legistar. The law also spells out definitions for "stunt driving," "organizer," and "aider or abettor" and allows tougher penalties for coordinated events or repeat violations.
Officials vow tougher enforcement
Mayor Cavalier Johnson and public-safety leaders have been explicit that these takeovers are not going to get a free pass. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman told CBS 58, "We'll come and find you, and we'll tow your car, and we'll arrest you," adding that MPD is working with the county sheriff and state patrol to respond to pop-up events. Officials have also discussed traffic-calming measures and potential intersection redesigns intended to make it harder to stage these gatherings in the first place.
What residents can do
Police advise residents who spot a takeover to call 911 instead of confronting drivers or spectators and to hang onto any video that might help investigators. The Milwaukee Police Department lists anonymous reporting options and a tips email for preplanned meets on its public page, and city leaders are asking neighbors to route information through official channels so officers can respond as safely and effectively as possible.
