"Shots fired" calls, homicides, traffic fatalities, sexual assaults, batteries; all are serious crimes against persons and result in everyone feeling apprehensive and insecure about our collective public safety. Beyond the immediate victims of these offenses, one cannot dispute the "multiplier" effect that is imposed on those family members and friends who are also vicariously dealing with the trauma of the event(s). The police are entrusted, as guardians of the community, to doing everything within our lawful power to prevent, intervene, suppress, and solve those crimes against our society that pervasively permeate our very psyche, thereby skewing the fact that Madison remains a relatively safe community with high quality of life indices.
If you accept the basic premise that solving crimes is vitally important to deterring and holding accountable those who would violate the basic tenet that human life is sacred and should be protected and preserved at all costs, then it is high time to recognize that there is a price for obtaining this objective. People who engage in unlawful acts in our public places and public spaces have forfeited their rights of privacy as accorded in the Fourth Amendment. There is no infringement on privacy when you stab, run over, shoot, sexually assault, batter, or otherwise abuse or violate the rights of another person in publicly enjoyed areas of our community that all have access to. So with all due respect to those who believe that having cameras in public portals as a reprehensible symbol of "big brother" watching, so sad/too bad. It is time to understand that without cameras in our community, you will be literally handcuffing our abilities to deter and detect criminal behaviors.
This week was a profound example of how cameras benefit solvability factors for the police. We can literally point to two cases; one where a young woman was carjacked at gunpoint and another where a UW graduate student was sexually assaulted---and cameras played a critical role in helping to identify the suspects (both of whom are now in custody). The use of cameras, now more than ever, cannot be restricted---they must be expanded. That is why I pushed hard to get an ordinance on the books for our City that, effective 10/24/18, any convenience store in Madison must have camera coverage as part of their business model---or face fines.
I suspect that most of those who bemoan and decry the potential invasions of privacy likely to be perpetrated by the police with expanded use of cameras are the same folks who have an inherent mistrust of the police, in general. I will never "win" those hearts and minds in spite of the fact that I will keep trying. At the end of the day, the police cannot use cameras for surreptitious voyeurism into court-recognized zones of privacy. We will not be "aiming" our cameras into people's bedrooms. We have standard operating procedures (SOP's) that clearly delineate what we "can" or "can't" do. As is the case in any criminal investigation, when police violate the Fourth Amendment (government intrusions into someone's reasonable expectation of privacy) there are court created remedies; exclusion of evidence, civil liability, and even criminal culpability for egregious cases. With the ever-challenging dynamics of solving crimes, now--more than ever--law enforcement needs to avail ourselves of ALL of the technological tools and forensic supports we can, ethically and lawfully.
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 5:30 a.m. on 04/19/2018 through 5:30 a.m. on 04/20/2018, MPD received 454 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
1) WEST: Check Person – 6:58 a.m. Officers responded to a west side residence for a report of a video making its way across social media showing inappropriate contact between a 16-year-old AAF with other juveniles. It was determined that the video was made in Fitchburg. Fitchburg PD is plugged in and jointly assisting with this investigation. Investigation continuing.
2) MIDTOWN: Warrant Execution – 8:52 a.m. MPD executed a warrant on University Ave. Investigation continuing.
3) CENTRAL: Battery – 8:57 a.m. Officers responded to N. Hancock St for a disturbance between two subjects (45-year-old WF victim and 54-year-old WM suspect). The suspect was issued a citation for battery and banned from the area for the remainder of the day.
4) SOUTH: Recovered Stolen Auto – 12:45 p.m. Officers observed a reported stolen auto that was occupied by approximately 6 juveniles. The driver/passengers fled and the vehicle was located crashed/abandoned near S. Park/W. Badger Rd. The vehicle was originally stolen from Fitchburg so Fitchburg PD responded to assist. A handgun that was reported to be in the vehicle when it was stolen was not recovered. Investigation continuing.
5) CENTRAL: Theft – 2:48 p.m. Officers responded to a business on N. Bassett St for a theft report (a significant amount of money). Investigation continuing.
6) MIDTOWN: Adult Arrested Person – 5:51 p.m. Officers responded to Verona Rd/Raymond Rd for a report of a chronic offender of the city's safety median ordinance. The suspect (32-year-old WF) was contacted, arrested and conveyed to post.
7) EAST: Disturbance – 5:52 p.m. Officers responded to a group home on the east side of town for a subject (62-year-old AF) causing a disturbance. Journey Mental Health was consulted. A decision was made to keep the subject in the group home and establish a safety plan. Investigation continuing.
8) NORTH: Armed Robbery – 6:49 p.m. MPD was notified that a victim (46-year-old WF) was carjacked/kidnapped by a suspect (41-year-old AAM) and ordered her at gunpoint to drive him out of the area. The victim was able to flee once she was in Indiana, where she contacted police. Multiple city, county, state and federal agencies actively sought the suspect and he was located and arrested in Indiana. Press release updated. Investigation continuing.
9) CENTRAL: Mental Health Conveyance – 8:16 p.m. Officers responded to W. Washington Ave for a subject (42-year-old WM) who needed to be returned to Winnebago. The subject was medically cleared and the transport to Winnebago took place.
10) EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 10:22 p.m. Officers responded to Rethke Ave for a disturbance between two subjects (57-year-old NAF victim and 48-year-old AAM suspect). The suspect entered the victim's residence. The suspect and victim got into a verbal argument. The suspect fled on foot but was located and arrested for bail jumping and trespassing.
11) NORTH: Adult Arrested Person – 11:08 p.m. Officers responded to Kipling Drive for a pulseless non-breathing subject (25-year-old AAM). Naloxone was administered to the subject which revived him. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital. The subject will be transported to jail on charges of possession of heroin and a DOC hold, once released from the hospital. Investigation continuing.
12) EAST: Missing Adult – 1:33 a.m. Officers responded to MacArthur Rd for a report of a missing adult (32-year-old AAF). Areas checked. Multiple individuals were contacted/interviewed. The subject was listed as missing in the appropriate databases. Investigation continuing.
13) CENTRAL: Death Investigation – 2:02 a.m. Officers responded to a residence for a deceased subject (21-year-old WM). Medical Examiner's Office responded. The death was self-inflicted. Investigation continuing.
14) CENTRAL: Substantial Battery – 2:22 a.m. Officers responded to N. Lake St for a substantial battery that occurred between two acquaintances (24-year-old WM victim and 23-year-old WM suspect). The victim reported being punched by the suspect, breaking several of his teeth. The suspect is at-large. Investigation continuing.