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Last night, the Common Council voted to approve a contract to keep police officers in our four main high schools. I think this is a win for public safety and I am relieved that this process has come to its conclusion.
As you may recall, back in February I asked MPD personnel to track and analyze past enforcement activity at our four area high schools. As a Department committed to continuous improvement, we are constantly striving to do better. The report that was created back then has been updated with the 2018-19 school year data and was shared with every Alder before last night's meeting and vote. I believe it is important to continue to share this information publically, and the report is linked below. The prominent points that should be noted:
- Issued citations fell over 66% from the previous year and are almost 70% down from the 2015-2016 school year
- 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, continues to be offered a restorative justice diversion away from Madison's Municipal Court
- Truancy accounted for 43% of all the citations issued at our high schools over the past four school years; 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 2018-19 school year, assuming that all arrests (37) of school-aged youth were in fact students, this would mean that approximately 0.5% of all MMSD high school students experienced a physical arrest on campus
- Twenty-five (25) individuals with the most citations, arrests, or both, accounted for 32% of the combined totals. Examining school arrest and citation data by distinct individual has not been common in the past
Clearly, there is still much to be done with respect to exploring additional options in addressing the disparities that we see in our schools. Through deeper analysis and the new quarterly data meetings with MMSD staff that are required under the new contract, I am convinced that real opportunities will emerge for collaborative problem solving and proactive intervention efforts.
View the document here for the full report: MMSD Arrest and Citation 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 07/02/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 07/03/2019, MPD received 546 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 546 calls for service for the past 24-hours, this is how the calls came in per district: Central (111), East (112), Midtown (78), North (89), South (54), West (59), and Other (43). 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".
**Priority calls only from 9:37am-12:05pm due to staffing shortages/calls for service.
1) CENTRAL: Weapons Offense – 7:42 a.m. Officers responded to an incident that ended up on W. Dayton Street. A disturbance took place between four subjects (24-year-old AAF suspect, 21-year-old AAF suspect, 39-year-old AAM suspect and 24-year-old AAM victim). At one point, the three suspects gave chase to the victim who ended up locking himself in an office at the library. Contact was made with all subjects. A box-cutter was found on the 24-year-old suspect (she was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct while armed). The other female suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and bail jumping. The male suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and six counts of bail jumping.
2) MIDTOWN: Domestic Disturbance – 8:12 a.m. Officers responded to the 4500 block of Verona Road for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (33-year-old AAF victim and 53-year-old AAF suspect). The subjects are daughter/mother. The subjects were engaged in a verbal dispute over a phone bill. The suspect followed the victim to a gas station on Verona Road where the argument turned physical. The suspect punched the victim and pulled her hair. The suspect was arrested for battery and disorderly conduct (domestic-related charges).
3) CENTRAL: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 10:14 a.m. Officers responded to a storage lot regarding a stolen vehicle that had been towed earlier in the morning. The vehicle may be associated with recent criminal incidents. MPD responded and had the vehicle towed to MPD's vehicle impound facility. Investigation continuing.
4) NORTH: Stolen Auto – 11:20 a.m. Officers received a report of a stolen vehicle from Hayes Road. The registered owner tracked/located the vehicle in the parking lot of West Towne Mall. The vehicle was recovered. Investigation continuing.
5) EAST: Road Rage Incident/Adult Arrested Person – 11:58 a.m. Officers identified and made contact with a suspect (24-year-old AAF) from a road rage incident from Monday. The victim (24-year-old WF) reported that after her vehicle was rear-ended by the suspect, the suspect threw something at the victim's windshield (cracking it) and then spit at the victim. The victim also reported that a passenger in the suspect's vehicle crawled into the victim's vehicle and physically assaulted the victim and also stole items from her. The suspect refused to identify her passenger and also refused to accept the citations. The suspect was arrested and conveyed to jail to post on the citations. Investigation continuing.
6) EAST: Disturbance – 2:09 p.m. Officers were flagged down on N. Thompson Drive for a disturbance between neighbors (58-year-old WF victim and 55-year-old AAM suspect). The suspect was exhibiting threatening, disturbing, vulgar and homophobic behavior toward the victim and her partner. The suspect was contacted and he was uncooperative with officers. Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect. The suspect was arrested and conveyed to a local hospital due to pre-existing medical concerns. Once medically cleared, the suspect was transported to jail for disorderly conduct. Additional charges may be forthcoming. Investigation continuing.
7) EAST: Residential Burglary – 8:01 p.m. Officers responded to an east side residence for a report of a residential burglary. The homeowner/victim (34-year-old AAM) reported that his iPad and TV were stolen by two suspects known to him. Investigation continuing.
8) EAST: Disturbance – 8:18 p.m. Officers responded to what was originally reported as a two-vehicle crash on Rethke Avenue and was turning into a fight. Officers arrived and were advised that one of the involved subjects/drivers left the scene. The caller reported that a suspect threatened him and threw bottles at his wife and their vehicle. An hour later, another disturbance broke out with subjects yelling and it was reported that a gun was involved (not confirmed). Investigation continuing.
9) EAST: Attempt to Locate/Check Welfare – 8:53 p.m. Officers received a report to check the welfare of a subject (30-year-old WM) who sent threatening messages to his mother. Journey Mental Health consulted. Subject not located. An emergency detention will be explored if/when the subject is contacted. Investigation continuing.
10) NORTH: Crash/Hit-and-Run – 9:38 p.m. Officers responded to Browning Road for a crash. The caller reported hearing a crash. A parked vehicle was found to have been struck by another vehicle, which turned out to be stolen. The driver of the stolen auto fled the scene. Investigation continuing.
11) EAST: Intoxicated Subject/Adult Arrested Person – 11:36 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a subject (29-year-old WM) down at Lexington/Fairmont. The subject was determined to be highly intoxicated. The subject was not cooperative with officers and at one point bit an officer. The subject was placed into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital for a medical clearance. Once medically cleared, the suspect was transported to jail and charged with resisting and battery to a law enforcement officer.
12) SOUTH: Adult Arrested Person – 11:42 a.m. Officers responded to Koster Street after the caller reported seeing a suspect (20-year-old AAM) trying to get into his neighbor's home. The suspect then attempted to enter the caller's vehicle that was parked in the driveway. The suspect was contacted and he was not cooperative with officers. The suspect struck an officer in the face twice. The suspect was arrested, transported to jail and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting, criminal trespassing, possession of marijuana and battery to a law enforcement officer.