Prior to launching into a snapshot of the past 24 hours of calls for MPD, I want to take a moment to call attention to a neglected area of awareness for our motoring public. Some will recall that on September 5th, a 57-year-old Madison man---who is blind--and his service dog were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run accident. Fortunately, the man did not receive life-threatening injuries and his service dog was rushed to a veterinarian for medical attention and will recover.
Additionally, our Traffic Enforcement Safety Team (TEST) has conducted pedestrian enforcement on Williamson Street at Livingston Street, which is proximate to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. During one such operation lasting four hours, TEST stopped 28 cars for violations relating to failure to yield to pedestrians; this included an instance where the Director for the Council attempted to cross with her white cane in hand and had to stop when vehicles did not stop for her!
This weekend is "White Cane Safety Day" (October 15). Thousands of blind and visually impaired individuals around the State of Wisconsin use a white cane for mobility and safe travel. An excerpt from the law is provided below and I hope we all do our part to embrace and impart this knowledge to others:
"An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised position or who is using a dog guide and shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the pedestrian." Statute N. 346.26 (1)
From 5:30 a.m. on 10/12/2017 through 5:30 a.m. on 10/13/2017, MPD received 449 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
1) NORTH: Drug Incident/Investigation – 6:34 a.m. Officers responded to the 3700 block of Kinsman Blvd for a suspicious package at the request of the Department of Homeland Security. Authorization was provided to open the package where drugs were found. Investigation continuing.
2) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 7:30 a.m. Officers responded to the 100 block of E. Mifflin Street where a victim's (71 year old AAF) key to her residence had been taken. The victim found her home ransacked and items missing. A suspect (43 year old AAF) was identified. Officers contacted the suspect and developed probable cause for her arrest for theft from person, burglary and identify theft.
3) EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 8:59 a.m. Officers responded to a gas station in the 3000 block of E. Washington Avenue where a stolen vehicle was observed and recovered. Suspects (17 year old AAF and 16 year old AAF) were seen fleeing from the area. Both suspects apprehended and charged with operating a motor vehicle without consent.
4) WEST: Adult Arrested Person – 12:24 p.m. Officers responded to the 3300 block of Leopold Way regarding two wanted suspects (AAM's, 17 and 20 years of age). The two suspects were taken into custody. Investigation continuing.
5) EAST: Conveyance Mental Health – 2:49 p.m. Officers responded to the 4100 block of Nakoosa Trail where a subject (42 year old WF) ingested pills in a suicide attempt. The subject was transported to a local hospital and voluntarily admitted.
6) EAST: Death Investigation – 3:13 p.m. Officers responded to an address on the east side for a deceased subject (90 year old WF). Nothing suspicious located. Medical Examiner responded.
7) WEST: Sexual Assault of a Child – 3:14 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital for a sexual assault of a child case. The victim is a 3 year old child (WF). Child Protective Services notified. Investigation continuing.
8) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault – 8:00 p.m. Officers, while at detox on a separate incident, were notified by staff of a possible sexual assault of a subject/victim (30 year old WF). Victim did not want to talk with officers. Reports written with information known at this time in case victim calls back to discuss further.
9) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault – 9:09 p.m. Officers took a report of a sexual assault/battery between a victim (46 year old WF) and a suspect (30 year old WM) which occurred on N. Blair Street. The victim went to a hospital to be medically cleared. Suspect was not located. Investigation continuing.
10) WEST: Weapons Offense Shots Fired – 3:02 a.m. Officers responded to the area of Goldenrod/Trillium/Lincoln Ridge/Oakbrook Circle for reports of shots fired. The area was checked and no evidence of shots fired located. Press release completed.
11) SOUTH: Weapons Offense Shots Fired – 3:30 a.m. Officers responded to the 1300/1400 blocks of S. Park Street for a report of shots fired. A witness was interviewed. 3 shell casings were recovered. Press release completed Investigation continuing.
Update from call on 10/11 - NORTH: Information – 11:08 p.m. A suspect (37 year old Middle Eastern male) made vague threats to an employer. Individual is slated for termination. Investigation continuing. ** Update – Officers made contact with the subject where the subject voluntarily turned over a weapon. No other firearms located. No charges substantiated at this time. Possible mental health concerns for the subject. Investigation continuing.