Over the last six months, MPD has been working closely with the Police Foundation to improve the quality and depth of feedback we receive from the community. This effort is consistent with the department's core values, and also reflects our response to several recommendations included in the OIR report. I am pleased to report that this work is starting to pay off. One component of this initiative, implemented recently, seeks feedback from those in the community who have had direct contact with an MPD officer. A random sample of individuals who have had contact with an officer – as a witness, victim, suspect, etc. – will receive a text message directing them to a very short survey. The Police Foundation administers the survey, and will provide results to MPD. While the department has a long history of seeking community input through surveys and other mechanisms, this will allow us to hear from those who we have had direct contact. My hope is that this process – along with other feedback mechanisms – will allow us to continue to improve the quality of service we provide to the community. So if you've had contact with MPD and receive a text message asking you to complete a survey...please do!
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 11/13/2018 through 6:00 a.m. on 11/14/2018, MPD received 431 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 431 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (84), East (79), Midtown (67), North (65), South (46), West (63), and Other (27). 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: Non-Residential Burglary – 5:31 a.m. Officers responded to the 2800 block of N. Sherman Ave after the caller reported noticing broken windows at a shopping plaza. Areas cleared. No suspects located. Property damage confirmed as well as stolen merchandise. Investigation continuing. *This was a late call that did not make the previous 24-hour cycle call notes due to officers being involved at the scene and reports from the field were not yet typed.
2) MIDTOWN: Assist EMS/Fire – 5:45 a.m. Officers responded, along with MFD, to the 2500 block of University Ave for a full structure fire at the Blue Moon Bar and Grill. MPD assisted with perimeter security. MFD has the lead on this investigation. *This was a late call that did not make the previous 24-hour cycle call notes due to officers being involved at the scene and reports from the field were not yet typed.
3) EAST: Disturbance – 9:55 a.m. School Resource Officer (SRO) at La Follette High School asked for additional resources as a disturbance was breaking out in the commons area of the school. Investigation continuing.
4) WEST: Stolen Auto – 12:42 p.m. Officers responded to a convenience store on S. Gammon Rd for a stolen auto and the occupants of the vehicle attempting to purchase gas. The clerk had knowledge that the vehicle was stolen, took the cash from one of the suspects for the gas and told them they would hold onto the money until police arrived. The suspect did not like this arrangement and a short struggle ensued. The driver of the vehicle took off, leaving the suspect in the store. When the suspect saw officers arriving, he fled on foot and was subsequently picked up by the driver of the stolen auto. The suspects remain at large. The vehicle was later located unoccupied on Grand Canyon Drive. Investigation continuing.
5) CENTRAL: Information - 2:26 p.m. Information came into Dispatch about a male adult in Madison chatting with a 15-year-old female, planning to meet. It was ultimately determined that a juvenile was not in danger. Investigation continuing.
?6) WEST: Weapons Offense - 4:23 p.m. Suspect (26-year-old AAF) and victim (28-year-old AAM) have a child in common and are currently dissolving their relationship. The suspect was in her car on Tree La. when the victim walked up to the car, reached in and tried to take a cell phone that he had previously purchased. The suspect responded by exiting her vehicle and smashing the victim's taillight with a hammer. The suspect was arrested for domestic DC and Battery.
?7) West: Sexual Assault – 7:16 p.m. Officers took a report from a subject/victim (27-year-old AAM) who reported being sexually assaulted by a white male (40-50 years old) on the night of Freakfest. Investigation continuing.
?8) WEST: Armed Robbery - 11:42 p.m. Officers responded to the Kwik Trip located in the 3100 block of Maple Grove Dr. was robbed. The suspect (UM) entered, dressed all in black and wearing a full face mask. The suspect implied he had a gun and demanded money. The clerk/victim (31-year-old WM) provided the suspect the money, at which point the suspect fled on foot. A K9 track was completed but the suspect was not located. Incident Report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
9) CENTRAL: Information/Robbery – 2:06 a.m. Officers responded to Langdon St for a reported robbery and assault. A victim (19-year-old HM) was located with visible injuries and his cell/wallet had been taken. Investigation revealed conflicting information and discrepancies requiring follow-up. No suspects have been identified at this time. Investigation continuing.