Before getting into yesterday's "snapshot" of significant calls, I wanted to share with you a recent exercise that was shared with me by one of our CORE Officers (Police Officer Lore Vang). CORE is a grant-funded outreach effort by MPD as we attempt to work with our youth--particularly middle schoolers--in trying to forge relationships of trust while simultaneously building critical thinking and empowering skill sets.
Officer Vang recently completed an initiative with students who were a part of some summer programming offered by Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) at Cherokee Middle School. Vang challenged the students to create the "ideal" police officer during a performance activity. Students were provided worksheets in which they could list both "positive" as well as "negative" traits. Then, all of the individual sheets were collected and discussed. A "master" list was compiled which reflected their collective "profile" after the group participated in a nominal process and then a consensus-building component.
The group was then tasked with choosing their top five from all of the traits. Interestingly, although "not racist" received only one initial vote, it ended up at the number top of the list by a group consensus by the time the discussion concluded. The other traits receiving high marks were: "role model," "respectful," "smart," and good at "communication." Hard to argue with any of these! Like the snippet from the Old Testament prophet (Isaiah) says: "And a child shall lead them. . .!"
Officer Vang noted that during the entire, robust discussion, there was no finger-pointing or blaming game antics. . .just a great conversation that Officer Vang described as "empowering and participatory." Vang said that the group really seemed to enjoy the "process" of creating the ideal officer and, for his part, Vang promised to share this information with the Chief. Promise fulfilled!
From 5:30am on 08/03/2017 through 5:30am on 08/04/2017, MPD received 452 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
1) CENTRAL: Check Person – 9:01am. A citizen called in stating they were in contact with a distraught and visibly bruised female. MPD found the subject (WF, 33yo) at the intersection of S Hancock St and E Main St. The subject had observable bruising to her arms and scraped knees. The subject admitted to drug usage the night before and also stated that she is off her prescribed medications. The subject stated that she has no permanent address and has zero recollection of where she used drugs the night before, or any further memory of what may have occurred. The subject stated it is normal for her to come out of her drug "haze" bewildered and yelling, especially since she is off her prescribed psych meds. The subject was cooperative and transported to a local hospital.
2) SOUTH: Disturbance – 10:00am. MPD was dispatched to Detox for a suicidal subject attempting to break down a door, with staff locking themselves in the nurse's station. Officers arrived, made contact, and stabilized the scene. The subject had been brought in to Detox the night before for being suicidal and was also intoxicated. Now that his BAC level was no longer an issue, the subject was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.
3) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault - 12:10pm. A walk-in reported sexual assault that occurred at a bar in the 100 block of King St on the previous night. The victim (WF) had been in a non-sexual relationship with the suspect (WM, 18yo) for a few weeks. The suspect met the victim at her place of employment so they could hang out. The victim and suspect had a few drinks, at which point the victim can only recall lying on the floor and waking up to an assault in progress. Investigation continuing.
4) EAST: Theft – 1:14pm. Officers were sent to a senior living center in the 700 block of Jupiter Dr reference a theft with an employee identified as the suspect. Officers were able to establish probable cause for theft and possession of Schedule II narcotics. The suspect (WM, 28yo) was arrested without incident.
5) SOUTH: Domestic Disturbance - 3:33pm. A neighborhood officer responded to the 200 block Bay View reference a fight between the suspect (AM, 32yo) and victim (AF, 33yo). The suspect admitted to officers that he kicked the victim, his wife, in the head. The suspect was arrested for domestic battery.
6) WEST: Arrested Person - 4:15pm. Officers were doing proactive police work to locate suspects involved in recent weapons violations. The vehicle of a suspect is located in front of an address in the 6300 block of Hammersley Rd and officers set up to observe. The suspect (AAM, 20yo) was taken into custody without incident and charged with party to a crime-first degree recklessly endangering safety.
7) WEST: Death Investigation - 5:24pm. Officers were dispatched the 1100 block of Mohican Pass to check the welfare of victim (WM, 81yo), who was found cold to the touch by his wife. The death appears to be due to natural causes. The Medical Examiner was notified.
8) EAST: Domestic Disturbance - 6:17pm. MPD was dispatched to a residence in the 5100 block of Piccadilly Dr for a man yelling and not making sense. The suspect (WM, 42yo) returned home intoxicated and upset with family members who did not pick up the dog feces in the yard. The suspect ended up creating a disturbance and harming two stepsons (WM, 15yo; WM, 29yo). After causing the disturbance, the suspect left in a vehicle and was subsequently stopped by officers. The suspect was ultimately charged with domestic disorderly conduct, domestic battery, physical abuse to a child, and recklessly endangering safety.
9) EAST: Conveyance Mental Health – 6:28pm. Officers were sent to the 500 block of Milky Way to contact a caller who was concerned about her brother, who was reportedly experiencing worsening mental health issues. The subject (AM, 25yo) has become increasingly violent and erratic over the past few days, culminating in today's incident where he pulled a knife on his mother in the kitchen and demanded money from her. This same subject had been sending prolific correspondence to businesses at random that had a threatening tone. Ultimately, this subject was taken into protective custody and evaluated for an emergency detention at 10:30pm. Investigation continuing.
10) SOUTH: Weapons Offense-BB Gun - 8:36pm. Officers were dispatched to the 6400 block of Bridge Rd reference a victim reporting that her window had been shot at. No suspect was information available. Officers respond to the area and determined that at least three patio door windows were shot and damaged with a BB gun. The estimated damage was at $4000 to $6000. Investigation continuing.
11) WEST: Stalking Complaint - 11:12pm. The victim (WF, 19yo) had contact with a subject (AM, 20yo) who has been sending her unwanted love letters. She had reported these incidents to police in the past but did not express a desire for formal police intervention until tonight's episode. Tonight, she returned to her vehicle when the same suspect was standing in front of her car and would not let her get into it until she accepted his most recent letter. She refused and a coworker came to her aid, but the male continued. The victim eventually accepted the letter and he left. The suspect was contacted and was arrested without incident. He was taken to the jail on a disorderly conduct charge and provided with a stalking warning letter.
12) SOUTH: Domestic Disturbance - 11:56pm. The victim (AAM, 31yo) reported to police that his on-and-off girlfriend (AAF, 22yo) has been violent in the past, and today she was "out of control" and punched him, slapped him in the face, and kicked him in the face. The suspect reportedly stated she would have people come and kill the victim and that they know his address. He did not want her arrested, but as they have lived together, the domestic arrest was made.
**Note from Chief Koval: The state of Wisconsin has had a mandatory arrest law for incidents of domestic violence since April 1, 1989. MPD predated this law with a "pro-arrest policy" in matters involving individuals who have a domestic relationship. Whenever adults fall into one of five categories (currently married, formerly married, currently reside together, formerly resided together, or adults who have a child in common), if probable cause can be established to determine the predominate aggressor caused a crime, there is no discretionary option for the investigating officer; an arrest must be made in spite of any wishes expressed by the "victim."**
13) SOUTH: Check Person - 12:22am. An intoxicated caller (WM, 55yo) told 911 he had slit his wrists. Officers arrived and noted significant cuts on the subject's left wrist. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he received stitches. After obtaining a medical clearance, the subject will be placed under protective custody and conveyed to Detox due to incapacitation by alcohol and self harm threats.