Members of the Madison Police Department saw their first peaceful clash with community members circulating petitions to recall the governor Wednesday after complaints came in that petitioners were obstructing roadways in the city.

MPD said it is telling petition circulators to stop using traffic cones to block off roadways for drivers looking to stop and sign petitions.

Police Traffic Capt. Richard Bach issued a statement Wednesday after multiple citizens complained that roads were obstructed by circulators, MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.

“We wanted to clarify what is legal and not legal,” he said.

Complaints stemmed from stations set up at Fish Hatchery Road and Monroe Street, among others. Placing traffic cones or any other objects in the street is a violation of city ordinance.

“Of specific concern is the use of cones in the roadway, effectively reserving the parking lane for [circulators’] use,” the MPD statement said. “It should be our goal to assure the safety of all involved and assure that traffic and pedestrians can move safely.”

Officers asked protesters to remove the cones immediately. They were compliant, and no citations were issued, DeSpain said.

If circulators wish to close the parking lane with cones in the future, they must secure a street use permit, which must be applied for through the city Parks Division, DeSpain said.

Police have taken the incidents as opportunities to remind Madison residents of the appropriate procedures for signing petitions.

Petitioners, the release said, cannot stand in roadways. They are, however, allowed to stand on sidewalks or terraces.

If circulators or those signing the petitions are unwilling to comply with city ordinance, the Officer In Charge will be notified and an Issue Report will be completed, the release said.

Ultimately, DeSpain said, the police department is not looking to take any action against protestors. If circulators follow city ordinances, they will be allowed to collect signatures on the side of the road.

Efforts to collect enough signatures to trigger a vote to recall Gov. Scott Walker kicked off Tuesday. In the movement’s first two days, petition circulators collected 50,000 signatures.