The heroin epidemic continues in our community. In the month of April of 2018, there were 18 known overdoses. This reflects a 20% increase from the month of April of 2017 where we were aware of 15.
There was one suspected death in April of 2018 from a heroin overdose. Our officers have referred 11 community members to the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI) program. So far, we are aware that 8 of these community members have reached out to start the process with MARI.
We have seen a 13% increase in known overdoses this year (79-first four months of the year) compared to last year (70-first four months of the year).
If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction please reach out to https://safercommunity.net/parent-addiction-network-home/ for support and resources. There is hope!
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 05/09/2018 through 5:30 a.m. on 05/10/2018, MPD received 468 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.
**Priority only calls from 10:35am-12pm due to calls for service.
**Priority calls only from 8:03pm-11:00pm due to calls for service.
1) MIDTOWN: Death Investigation – 7:48 a.m. Officers responded to a residence regarding a deceased subject (92-year-old WM). Nothing suspicious observed on scene. Medical Examiner's office notified. Investigation continuing.
2) EAST: Strong Arm Robbery – 11:34 a.m. Officers responded to a business on Milwaukee Street for a strong arm robbery. The suspect (WM) demanded money. No weapon was observed or implied. The suspect fled. Investigation continuing.
3) CENTRAL: Mental Health Conveyance – 12:13 p.m. Officers responded to the area of N. Brearly St/E. Mifflin St to check the welfare of a subject (35-year-old AAM). The subject was conveyed to a local hospital where he was voluntarily admitted for an evaluation. The subject was left in the care of medical staff.
4) SOUTH: Death Investigation – 12:21 p.m. Officers responded to a residence regarding a deceased subject (73-year-old AAM). Nothing suspicious observed on scene. Medical Examiner's office notified. Investigation continuing.
5) NORTH: Intoxicated Driver – 12:32 p.m. Officers responded to several reports of a driver passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Officers located the driver/vehicle on N. Sherman Ave and made contact. The driver/suspect (39-year-old AM) admitted to using meth. The suspect was arrested for operating while intoxicated (1st offense), operating while suspended, possession of meth and a probation violation.
6) MIDTOWN: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 12:38 p.m. Officers responded to the 4700 block of Verona Rd regarding a recovered stolen vehicle. Three juveniles were contacted and all denied driving the vehicle. Two of the juveniles were released. One of the juveniles (14-year-old AAM) was conveyed to the Juvenile Reception Center on an outstanding capias (warrant). The vehicle was returned to its owner. Investigation continuing.
7) CENTRAL: Mental Health Conveyance – 1:17 p.m. Officers responded to W. Wilson St to check the welfare of a subject (28-year-old WM). The subject was conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. The subject was admitted voluntarily and left in the care of medical staff.
8) EAST: Weapons Offense – 1:52 p.m. Officers responded to the 4500 block of Monona Dr for a report of shots fired. Investigation revealed that three juveniles (WMs) were in the area and one had a BB gun. A witness overheard one of the juvenile's state something to the effect of "breaking a window" as the juveniles ran away. A window of a vehicle was located struck/damaged. The vehicle owner was contacted. Press release completed. Investigation continuing.
9) NORTH: Information – 2:58 p.m. Officers made contact with a juvenile (13-year-old UF) and the juvenile's mother about inappropriate content the juvenile had been posting on social media (which at this time have not been confirmed/denied). Officers assisted by educating the juvenile about appropriate content. Investigation continuing.
10) NORTH: Disturbance – 6:06 p.m. Officers responded to Brentwood Parkway for a disturbance where a brick was thrown through a window. Two subjects were contacted and identified as being involved in a disturbance (11-year-old AAF and 14-year-old WF). Both juveniles denied knowledge of the brick. No citations or charges were substantiated at this time. Investigation continuing.
11) SOUTH: Strong Armed Robbery – 6:13 p.m. Officers responded to take a report from a victim (41-year-old WM) who reported walking on Beld St when three juveniles (AAMs) approached him and physically assaulted him causing him to fall and hit his head on the sidewalk. The victim does not recall if he lost consciousness. The victim reported that personal items, including his wallet, were taken from him. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he will require 1-2 staples in his head. The victim also sustained other injuries but not known at the time of this writing. Subjects in the area matching the description were contacted. One of the subjects admitted to hitting the victim. This subject/suspect (17-year-old AAM) was arrested for substantial battery and robbery with use of force (party to a crime). Investigation continuing.
12) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 6:17 p.m. Officers responded to State St/W. Mifflin St for a disturbance. A suspect (22-year-old AAM) punched a female (56-year-old AAF) in the face. A male subject came to the defense of the female and got into a physical altercation with the suspect. The suspect was arrested for battery.
13) EAST: Mental Health Conveyance – 6:33 p.m. Officers responded to E. Broadway Service Rd to check the welfare of a subject (34-year-old WM) who was reportedly cutting himself. The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital. The subject was voluntarily admitted and left in the care of medical staff.
14) WEST: Adult Arrested Person – 7:03 p.m. An officer observed a wanted subject/suspect (19-year-old AAM) in the area of Theresa Ter/Jacobs Way. The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended. The suspect was conveyed to jail for outstanding charges of battery to a public safety passenger and bail jumping. The suspect was also charged with resisting and bail jumping from his attempt at fleeing on this incident.
15) CENTRAL: Missing Juvenile/Runaway – 7:06 p.m. Officers responded to Jenifer St for a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (16-year-old WF). Attempt to locate aired. The juvenile was listed as missing in the appropriate databases.
16) MIDTOWN: Weapons Offense – 7:31 p.m. Officers responded to the 4500 block of Verona Rd for a report of a subject displaying a firearm to another subject in a parking lot. Officers located a vehicle matching the description in the parking lot and it was unattended. While on scene, contact was made with an individual who stated he was the registered owner of the vehicle. Subsequent investigation reflected that the individual observed as having the handgun was a 23-year-old AAM suspect. K9 search conducted and a firearm round was located in the vehicle. Attempt was made to make contact with the suspect but he was not located. Once the suspect is located he will be arrested for disorderly conduct while armed and a probation hold.
17) EAST: Disturbance – 7:33 p.m. Officers responded to an east side residence for a disturbance. The callers (family members) reported being concerned for the welfare of their father/husband (50-year-old WM) who was acting strangely and had armed himself with bats. Multiple resources were dispatched to the area and attempts were made to make contact with the subject, but all were unsuccessful. As a safety plan was in place for the family members, a decision was made to disengage from the residence at this time. Investigation continuing.
18) EAST: Information – 7:38 p.m. Officers made contact with a juvenile (15-year-old WF) and her mother after the mother observed injuries on her daughter. Investigation continuing.
19) MIDTOWN: Assist EMS/MFD – 7:40 p.m. Officers responded, along with EMS, to the area of University Ave/Craig Ave for a subject causing a disturbance. The subject (24-year-old WF) appeared to be having some mental health concerns. The subject was yelling, attempting to grab a knife and threatening to harm her caregivers and police. The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital where she was left in the care of medical staff.
20) NORTH: Death Investigation – 7:41 p.m. Officers responded to a north side residence to check the welfare of a subject. Officers forced entry and found the subject (34-year-old WM) deceased. Initial indications reflect a drug overdose. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
21) MIDTOWN: Crash/Property Damage – 8:42 p.m. While investigating a separate incident, officers heard and observed portions of a rollover crash near Atticus Way/Verona Rd. No injuries were reported/sustained. The suspect driver (63-year-old WF) was cited for failure to yield as she turned on a red light in front of the victim's (36-year-old HM) vehicle.
22) MIDTOWN: Disturbance – 11:09 p.m. Officers responded to N. Brooks St for a report of a subject who was armed with a knife and causing a disturbance. Officers learned that an argument had taken place between the suspect (58-year-old AAM) and the victim (57-year-old AAM) over how the suspect disrespected another subject/victim (48-year-old WF). The suspect had punched the female victim. When the male victim advised the suspect he was calling the police, the suspect went after the victim and pushed him to the ground. The suspect then retrieved a knife and threatened the male victim. The suspect was arrested for battery and disorderly conduct while armed.
23) CENTRAL: Battery – 1:22 a.m. An officer observed, via city cameras, a subject/suspect #1 attempting to instigate fights on State St. Officers responded to make contact with the suspect who fled. The suspect returned to the area and again tried to start fights. The suspect ended up being punched by a 27-year-old AAM (suspect #2) and went unconscious. Suspect #2 fled but was located, due to city cameras. Suspect #2 was charged with substantial battery and felon in possession of a concealed weapon (knife). Suspect #1 (29-year-old AAM) was cited for disorderly conduct.