Recall petition collectors in Brookfield spur complaints

Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker were collecting signatures for a recall petition amid a rush of holiday shoppers in Brookfield over the weekend.

Although police officers responded to seven complaints of signature collection efforts impeding traffic or blocking driveways Nov. 25 and 27, no citations were issued.

"We were pretty much warning them that they can't obstruct traffic," Capt. Jim Adlam said. "You can't block driveway access; you can't take over someone's parking lot or business if they don't want you to."

According to city of Brookfield police reports:

The first interaction came when a man stationed in a median in the 17000 block of Bluemound Road was collecting signatures just before 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25. He was told to relocate to a sidewalk.

Officers then responded to a report that people collecting signatures were obstructing traffic near the intersection of Brook Lane and Capitol Drive just before noon Nov. 25.

A number of people who had parked their cars at the nearby North Shore Bank, 15830 W. Capitol Drive, were told to move their cars, and complied.

Minutes later, the department responded to a report of people collecting signatures on a sidewalk outside Midwest Best Western, 1005 S. Moorland Road, and stopping traffic.

An officer observed the group and found no violations.

Officers then responded to the Sheraton Hotel, 375 S. Moorland Road, just before 1 p.m. for a report of three opponents of Walker stationed along the north sidewalk, and two Walker supporters stationed along the south sidewalk.

A representative of the Sheraton said people were coming inside to ask for petitions, and that the hotel did not want to be associated with either side of the issue.

The protesters were told not to conduct political transactions on hotel property.

Officers then traveled back across the city just before 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25 for a group of protesters at North Shore Bank.

The gathering dispersed within 20 minutes, and officers witnessed no violations.

Officers also called to Brookfield Square Mall, 95 N. Moorland Road, twice on Nov. 27 for reports that people collecting signatures were impeding traffic.