There's numerous opposition to a move designed to curb racial profiling. Part of the Governor's budget proposal requires law enforcement in the 11 largest counties to keep data about traffic stops including the drivers' age and ethnicity. Bill Lueders, President of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, says the records would be kept secret and not subject to open records law.
Authorities would have to submit the information to the state justice department to determine any racial profiling. Attorney General JB Van Hollen says the new system would cost $750,000 statewide the first year, and $300,000 each year after that. He says its money taken away from bread-and-butter law enforcement.
Police groups also oppose the profiling data because of the cost of the special computer equipment. The state would make local governments pay for it.
UPDATE: Governor Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner says it was never the governor’s intent to keep it secret and the governor will ask lawmakers to make the appropriate change.
