Today is Election Day, a time when those who have not already cast an absentee ballot should exercise their civic duty and vote for those candidates and/or issues of our day that matter!
There are more than 80 polling places in the City of Madison and the hours of operation are from 7am-8pm. People who are in line waiting to vote when the polls close at 8pm will be allowed to vote. Once the polls close, election officials will remain at the polling place to collect and pack the voting equipment, ballots, etc.
As a reminder, state law (Wis. Stat. 12.03) and city ordinance (23.03) prohibit "electioneering" within 100 feet of any entrance to any building containing a polling place during voting hours. Electioneering includes the distribution or placement of written/printed matter, or any type of presentation, display, or visible/audible announcement that is intended or tends to influence the vote for or against any candidate or referendum question (which is part of that election). The 100 foot limit can change if there is a line of voters outside the polling place; the measurement begins at the end of the line if the voters are lined up outside the building. Bumper stickers on vehicles within the 100 foot limit are not considered electioneering (though signs on vehicles are considered electioneering). MPD officers will only intervene in matters of electioneering in response to a complaint from a citizen or election official and our primary focus to gain compliance and cease the behavior without taking enforcement action.
City ordinance also prohibits the placement of political signs on any public property or right-of-way.
MPD does not get involved in any voter eligibility/fraud issues (individuals are referred to the City Clerk, 608-266-4601 or the Government Accountability Board Elections Help Desk, 608-261-2028).
Finally, the City has posted signs to prohibit concealed carry or weapons in polling place where they are otherwise not prohibited.
**The above provided stats are based upon the best data available at the time of publication.
October 2018 Monthly Crime Summary Stats – Shots Fired:
There were 18 reported shots fired calls in the City of Madison in October, 2018. Through the end of October, we have seen 162 shots fired calls for service since the beginning of the year. This is a 12% decrease year-to-date from 2017, where we had 184 shots fired calls.
More info on these calls from October:
- Shots fired incidents resulted in 7 properties being damaged (year-to-date 57)
- There were 29 casings recovered (477 year-to-date)
- Three subjects were struck by gunfire (two investigations have resulted in an arrest; one incident is still under investigation) (year-to-date 23)
- North District had the most calls for service for shots fired (5), followed by Midtown with four (4), South with 3 (3) and our other districts each had two (2) incidents
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 6:00 a.m. on 11/05/2018 through 6:00 a.m. on 11/06/2018, MPD received 432 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.
To further break down the 432 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (73), East (82), Midtown (62), North (62), South (53), West (49), and Other (51). Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City. For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other".
1) NORTH: Crash with Injuries – 6:57 a.m. Officers responded to the 2800 block of International Lane for a motor vehicle v. tree crash. The driver (17-year-old AAM) fell asleep while driving his mother to work. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The passenger/driver's mother (36-year-old WF) and the driver were not wearing seatbelts. Both occupants sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver was cited for operating after revocation causing injury. The passenger was cited for permitting an unauthorized person to operate a motor vehicle and no insurance. Investigation continuing.
2) CENTRAL: Injured Person – 10:52 a.m. Officers responded to an injured person at a local hospital. Staff at the hospital were concerned when a subject was admitted with a head injury and it was discovered that the injured party was armed with a handgun. The subject (45-year-old WM). The subject stated he was assaulted but no evidence of such has been corroborated at this time. The subject was left in the care of medical staff and his firearm was temporarily taken for safekeeping. Investigation continuing.
3) EAST: Child Abuse – 10:55 a.m. Officers were requested by Child Protective Services (CPS) to assist them with an interview/child abuse investigation of a 7-year-old WM who had a visible mark on his head. Investigation continuing.
4) MIDTOWN: Juvenile Complaint – 12:05 p.m. Officers responded to the area of West High School for a report of a group of juveniles attempting to break into vehicles and causing disturbances. Officers checked the area and did not locate any active disturbances. Investigation continuing.
5) WEST: Strong Armed Robbery – 1:47 p.m. Officers responded to the 6600 block of Berkshire Rd for a strong armed robbery. A husband/victim (34-year-old UM) and wife/victim (34-year-old UF) set up a time/place to meet two subjects/suspects (AAMs) to purchase iPhones. The male victim displayed the cash to purchase the iPhones when one of the suspect's "aggressively" took the cash and fled the area (with the cash and the iPhones). Incident Report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
6) EAST: Drug Incident/Overdose – 3:25 p.m. Officers responded to the Target on Lien Rd for two subjects experiencing overdoses. MFD administered Naloxone to both subjects/suspects (39-year-old WM and 29-year-old WF). Both suspects were conveyed to a local hospital where they were cited for possession of paraphernalia and heroin. They were also referred to the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI).
7) NORTH: Traffic Incident – 5:44 p.m. Officers responded to Northport Dr at Barby Lane for a motor vehicle vs. pedestrian crash. The pedestrian (13-year-old AAF) walked in front of traffic, apparently distracted while wearing headphones. The juvenile sustained non-life threatening injuries and was conveyed to a local hospital. No charges were substantiated. Incident Report on MPD's website completed.
8) MIDTOWN: Check Person/Assist MFD – 5:51 p.m. Officers responded to W. Washington Ave to check the welfare of a subject (33-year-old NAM). The subject was located in water. MFD's dive team responded to retrieve the subject from the water. The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital. The subject was intoxicated. The subject was left in the care of a local hospital as detox was full.
9) NORTH: Mental Health Conveyance – 5:51 p.m. Officers picked up a subject (41-year-old AAF) on a commitment order and transported her to a local hospital. The subject was left in the care of medical staff.
10) EAST: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 6:34 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (15-year-old HM). Attempt to locate aired. The juvenile was listed as missing/runaway in the appropriate databases. *The juvenile returned home later in the evening and was cited for a curfew violation at the request of the parent.
11) CENTRAL: Weapons Offense – 6:40 p.m. Officers responded to E. Johnson St/N. Baldwin St for a report of a person with a gun. The victim (30-year-old WM) reported that while he was in his vehicle, another vehicle/suspect (20-year-old AM) pulled up next to him and pointed a gun at him. The suspect was contacted and arrested for pointing the firearm at the victim. Incident Report on MPD's website completed.
12) NORTH: Strong Armed Robbery – 6:45 p.m. Officers responded to the Associated Bank on Shopko Drive for a strong armed robbery. The suspect (WM) passed a note to the bank clerk demanding cash. No weapons were observed or implied. The suspect fled with cash. No injuries reported. Incident Report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
13) MIDTOWN: Armed Robbery – 8:34 p.m. Officers responded to Regent St. Liquor Store at 916 Regent St for an armed robbery. A suspect (AAM) displayed a handgun and demanded cash. The suspect fled. K9 track attempted. No injuries reported. Incident Report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
14) EAST: Crash with Injuries – 9:36 p.m. Officers responded to a crash on S. Stoughton Rd/Pflaum. The suspect driver (17-year-old WF) crashed into a vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. The suspect's passenger sustained a minor injury and was transported to a local hospital. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing injury. Investigation continuing.
15) CENTRAL: Check Person – 11:21 p.m. Officers responded to a check welfare request of a 29-year-old WF subject. Information was relayed to police that the subject was battered and had visible injuries. Areas checked. The subject was not located. Investigation continuing.
16) CENTRAL: Intoxicated Driver – 11:36 p.m. Officers responded to W. Doty St/Fairchild for an intoxicated driver/suspect (32-year-old WF). The suspect was located in a parked vehicle that was running. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (2nd offense).