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Today marks the tragic one year anniversary in which we collectively pause and reflect on the loss of 17 lives---students and staff---which occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida. In addition to those killed, another 17 people were injured on that fateful Valentine's Day. We remember the grieving families and friends of the fallen and the scars of those who are still trying to heal and cope with the trauma of having experienced the horrors of an active shooter event.
Recently, I tasked MPD personnel to track the past three years of enforcement activity at our four area high schools. As a Department committed to continuous improvement, we are constantly striving to do better. But to suggest that there is a MPD "pipeline to prison" mantra is simply not supported by the facts. Four prominent points should be noted:
~Over 40% of the citations issued were for truancy; a school official directs an officer to issue a citation to a student under statutory parameters for non-attendance. When you factor in tickets for trespass, which also involve the collaboration of school officials, the number of citations issued at the request of school officials goes to over 60%. Stated most candidly, the majority of citations issued to students are not self-initiated by an officer working in isolation, they are from the direction and collaboration of a school official.
~During the 2017-18 school year, assuming that all arrests (33) of school-aged youth were in fact students, this would mean that approximately 0.4% of all MMSD high school students experienced a physical arrest on campus.
~When reviewing MPD juvenile municipal citation data (ages 12-16 years old), it must be emphasized that EVERY juvenile issued a ticket in this age bracket, regardless of offense, was offered a restorative justice diversion away from Madison's Municipal Court.
~Clearly, there is still much to be done with respect to exploring additional options and creative problem solving in addressing the disparities that we see in our schools. MPD is a willing partner in the examination of where these numbers can be mitigated.
For those who continue to chant, click, and complain about our four School Resource Officers (SRO's) as a "problem," perhaps using focused data as opposed to rhetorical slogans will provide a better starting point for substantive conversations on the role of SRO's in our schools (link to report).
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 02/13/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 02/14/2019, MPD received 503 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 503 calls for service for the past 24-hours, this is how the calls came in per district: Central (83), East (110), Midtown (89), North (80), South (50), West (60), and Other (31). 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".
**Limited crash response until noon on 2/13.
1) CENTRAL: Civil Dispute – 7:00 a.m. Officers responded to the 1900 block of E. Washington Ave and met with the caller (43-year-old UM) who wished to press charges against a tow truck driver that repossessed his vehicle last night (due to months of unpaid vehicle payments). The caller was advised he would have to take this matter up in civil court. No further action deemed necessary by officers.
2) WEST: Death Investigation – 9:32 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a deceased subject (42-year-old WM). The decedent had been suffering from recent health issues. Nothing suspicious observed on scene. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
3) EAST: Assist EMS/Fire – 11:32 a.m. Officers responded, along with EMS/Fire, to the 4400 block of E. Buckeye Rd for an injured subject (39-year-old WM). The subject was working on a job when he fell off the roof. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital in serious, but stable condition. No further action deemed necessary by the police.
4) MIDTOWN: Theft – 2:13 p.m. Officers received a report of an employee/suspect (23-year-old WM) stealing money from his employer. The suspect was contacted and interviewed where he made a full confession. The suspect was arrested for theft.
5) SOUTH: Worthless Checks – 5:26 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted at Lake/Langdon and the driver/suspect (50-year-old AAM) was wanted. The suspect was arrested for felony issue of worthless check, felony unauthorized use of identification card and misdemeanor theft.
6) EAST: Substantial/Aggravated Battery – 6:33 p.m. Officers responded to E. Washington Ave/Sixth Street for a disturbance that occurred on a Metro bus. The suspect (29-year-old AAM) was intoxicated, yelling and threatening to kill people on the bus. A passenger/victim (44-year-old WM) was punched by the suspect (victim sustained a broken tooth). The suspect was arrested for substantial battery, disorderly conduct and bail jumping.
7) EAST: Drug Incident/Overdose – 7:12 p.m. Officers responded to an east side residence for a subject (55-year-old WM) experiencing an overdose. MFD administered Naloxone. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital where he was cited for possession of heroin and provided a referral to the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI).
8) WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 9:54 p.m. Officers responded to the 6700 block of Schroeder Rd for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (35-year-old AAF victim and 40-year-old AAM suspect). The suspect was intoxicated and got into a verbal argument with the victim. The suspect pushed the victim. The suspect was arrested for domestic disorderly conduct.
9) SOUTH: Stolen Auto – 10:32 p.m. Officers responded to a south side residence for a report of a stolen auto. The vehicle was left running, unoccupied and had the keys in it. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases. Investigation continuing.
10) CENTRAL: Domestic Disturbance – 11:33 p.m. Officers responded to Spaight/Brearly St for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (56-year-old WF victim and 58-year-old WM suspect). A verbal argument led to a physical altercation between the two subjects. The suspect slapped the victim in the face and pushed her out of the vehicle. The suspect was arrested for domestic battery.
11) NORTH: Drug Incident/Overdose – 1:27 a.m. Officers responded, along with MFD/EMS, to a north side residence for a subject (29-year-old WF) experiencing an overdose. EMS administered Naloxone to the subject. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital. Charges may be forthcoming. Investigation continuing.