When the news cycle seems to be dominated by discussions of the appropriateness of "taking a knee," (As a constitutional officer of the court, I pledged to protect and defend constitutional rights and freedoms so the recent diatribes from all directions on this issue is moot; although I also have the prerogative of expressing my views--off duty--and have canceled my all-access subscription to viewing NFL games), tonight will provide many of my sisters and brothers in uniform an opportunity to "stand up" for something. For tonight, there will be a short vigil taking place up at the Law Enforcement Memorial (located at the corner of N. Pinckney and E. Mifflin). Starting at 5pm, a ceremony will be held that marks the restoration of the Memorial which was desecrated with paint a number of weeks ago.
The Law Enforcement Memorial bears the name of those selfless servant leaders who paid the ultimate sacrifice. In a time when we are bombarded with a celebrity culture that accords and rewards surreal figures who are self-absorbed with advancing the interests of "me, myself, and I," it is only fitting that we re-boot and take a moment to draw upon those who were willing to don a bullet-proof vest and stand in harms way in defense of a complete stranger.
I am indebted to the grass roots activism that seized upon this vigil as an opportunity to affirm values that many of us have spent our entire professional lives trying to live. In an era where there is a paucity of "role models" for our kids to look up to, one need only look as far as those who are still laboring on the front lines of the military and protective services (Police/Fire/EMT's) as a surety that some things have withstood and will endure the test of time for character and commitment!
From 5:30 a.m. on 10/17/2017 through 5:30 a.m. on 10/18/2017, MPD received 441 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
1) EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 8:12 a.m. Officers responded to the 5200 block of Fen Oak to check the welfare of a subject (27 year old WM) who was displaying odd behavior and was taking his clothes off in public. The subject was attempting to leave in a vehicle when officers arrived on scene and was stopped. He was found to be in possession of needles/prescription medication. The subject was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
2) EAST: Damage to Property – 10:51 a.m. Officers responded to a car dealership on High Crossing Blvd where 20+ vehicles were found damaged by the etching of swastikas into the vehicle paint. The two suspects were described as WM's, early 20's. Press Release completed. Investigation continuing.
3) SOUTH: Juvenile Arrest – 11:52 a.m. An officer made contact with a suspect (15 year old AAF) after a disturbance took place at school. The suspect was found to be in possession of mace. The suspect was arrested for multiple charges.
4) WEST: Check Person – 1:01 p.m. Officers responded to Old Middleton Road to check the welfare of a subject (14 year old WF) with mental disabilities who was out of control. The caregivers for the juvenile reported they are unable to care for the juvenile anymore. The subject was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. Journey Mental Health was consulted. An emergency detention was approved and the subject was transported to Winnebago by two MPD officers.
5) WEST: Check Person – 1:12 p.m. Officers responded to Inner Drive regarding a reported residential burglary. Investigation revealed that the home may not have been burglarized. The homeowner (85 year old WF) reported last seeing her wallet several days prior and that some other property was missing from her home. There were no signs of forced entry to the home. Investigation continuing.
6) CITY-WIDE: Assist Police – 1:22 p.m. Stoughton PD was involved in a pursuit of an armed robbery suspect reference a bank robbery. The pursuit continued into the City of Madison where MPD officers were in the vicinity to assist once the vehicle came to a stop. The suspect vehicle came to a stop after it crashed and two suspects were arrested by the County.
7) WEST: Juvenile Arrest – 1:31 p.m. Officers responded to the 2200 block of Allied Drive reference a subject (14 year old AAM) present who is banned from the area with conditions to be with a parent unless going to/from school. The subject was contacted and was transported to the Juvenile Reception Center (JRC).
8) SOUTH: Intoxicated Person – 2:27 p.m. Officers responded to Ardmore Drive where a subject (48 year old WF) let herself into a home she knew (but without permission) where she then drinks heavily and sustains a cut on her face. The homeowner was present, and while the subject was in the home, the homeowner locked herself in her bedroom to take a nap. The subject started to cause a disturbance and made some suicidal comments. The subject was contacted, transported to a local hospital and then detox. The homeowner did not wish to pursue any charges.
9) CENTRAL: Found Person – 6:07 p.m. Officers responded to the 600 block of Langdon Street regarding a found child (5 year old WM) who no shoes. The child's home and mother were located. The child's mother was appropriately concerned; however a previous incident occurred a month ago. Child Protective Service notified. No charged substantiated. Child was released to his mother.
10) NORTH: Information – 7:36 p.m. Officers responded to the 1900 block of Northport Drive regarding a possible sexual assault involving three victims (all minors). The suspect (31 year old AAM) does not have contact with any of the children. Children are considered safe. Child Protective Services plugged in. Investigation continuing.
11) SOUTH: Weapons Offense – 9:56 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital where a subject (36 year old AAF) showed up with a stab wound. Inconsistent explanation was provided for what occurred. The subject later admits the injury was self-inflicted. Investigation continuing.
12) CENTRAL: Check Person – 10:23 p.m. Officers responded to a check welfare call of a subject (34 year old WM) who was sending some concerning text messages. The subject was contacted. No concerns for the subject's safety were substantiated.
13) NORTH: Missing Juvenile/Runaway – 10:41 p.m. Officers responded to Mallard Lane for a report of a missing juvenile (14 year old HF). Area checked, attempt to locate aired and the juvenile was listed as missing in the appropriate databases. The juvenile returned home later in the evening.
14) NORTH: Information/Armed Robbery – 1:20 a.m. Officers responded to Calypso Road where a victim (40 year old WM) reported being robbed at gunpoint nearly 6 hours earlier. The police received a report of someone being assaulted at approximately the same time as the victim reported the incident to have occurred. The explanations given regarding what occurred differed. Investigation continuing.
15) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 2:52 a.m. Officers responded to Northridge Terrace for a disturbance between two subjects (25 year old WF victim and her 31 year old WM boyfriend/suspect). The victim went to the hospital for her an evaluation/treatment for her injuries. The suspect was arrested for domestic strangulation.