Chief Koval's Blog

The July 2019 monthly crime stats have been analyzed and compiled.  Here is what the month looked like, as well as year-to-date numbers.

Shots Fired:

• 14 shots fired in July (27% increase from July of 2018 when we had 11 shots fired)
• 76 shots fired year-to-date (32% decrease from the same timeframe in 2018 when we had 112 shots fired)
• 7 reports of property damage (27 year-to-date)
• 3 subjects were struck by gunfire (13 year-to-date)
• 57 casings were recovered (184 year-to-date)
• District break-down of shots fired in July: West/North – 4 each; South/East – 2 each; Midtown/Central – 1 each

Robberies:

• 21 reported robberies in July (32% decrease from July of 2018 when we had 31 reported robberies)
• 131 reported robberies year-to-date (no change from the last five years of robbery data; average of 130 robberies over the same timeframe)
• District break-down of robberies in July: Central – 8; East – 3; Midtown – 4; North – 2; South – 3; West – 1

Burglaries:

• 128 reported burglaries in July (18% decrease from July of 2018 when we had 156 burglaries)
• 574 burglaries reported year-to-date (1% increase when looking at the average over the same timeframe in the past 5 years – 569 burglaries)
• In 26 of the 128 reported burglaries, residents were home during the incident
• 12 vehicles were reported stolen in the course of a burglary in July
• 2 firearms were reported stolen in the course of a burglary in July
• District break-down of burglaries in July: West – 37; Midtown – 28; South – 4; Central – 18; North – 23; East – 18

Stolen Autos:

• 41 reports of stolen autos in July (8% increase from July of 2018 when there were 38 reports of stolen autos)
• 262 stolen auto reports received year-to-date (12% increase from same timeframe in 2018 when there were 233 stolen auto reports)
• Of the 41 reports of stolen autos, 34 have been recovered
• Of the 41 reports of stolen autos, 35 had the keys in the vehicles or the keys were easily accessible; one of the vehicles was left unlocked and running at the time it was stolen
• 11 juveniles and 7 adults (for purposes of arrest and prosecution, an offender is consider an "adult" at age 17 in the State of Wisconsin) were arrested in July for stolen auto-related charges
• District break-down of stolen autos in July: West – 13; South – 6; Central – 4; North – 4; Midtown – 10; East – 4

Thefts from Autos:

• 101 reports of thefts from autos in July (53% decrease from July of 2018 when we received/responded to 217 reports of thefts from autos)
• 549 reports of thefts from autos year-to-date (24% decrease when compared to the average – 727 - over the same timeframe in the last five years)
• 3 firearms were stolen from vehicles in July
• Type of entry used in these crimes: forced entry – 10 incidents; no force used (unknown how entry was made) – 38 incidents; vehicle was left unlocked – 28 incidents
• District break-down of theft from autos in July: West – 18; Midtown – 23; South – 9; Central – 24; North – 11; East – 16

Heroin Overdoses:

• 30 known overdoses in July (no change from July 2018 when there were also 30 known overdoses)
• 132 known overdoses year-to-date (24% decrease from same time frame in 2018 when we were aware of 174 overdoses)
• 4 suspected deaths from heroin overdoses in July (2 suspected deaths in July of 2018)
• 17 suspected deaths from heroin overdoses year-to-date (39.3% decrease from the same time frame in 2018 when we were aware of 28 deaths linked to heroin overdoses)
• Demographic information related to overdoses this year: 73% male, 27% female; 79% White, 16% African American, 5% Hispanic/Asian/Native American
• Demographic information related to overdose fatalities this year: 70% male, 30% female; 70% White, 24% African American, 6% Asian
• Officers referred 8 subjects to the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI) in July for treatment (47 individuals have completed the MARI program so far)
• District break-down of heroin overdoses in July: Midtown – 3; West – 4; South – 5; Central – 1; North – 9; East – 8

*** The above-provided stats are based upon the best data available at the time of publication. 

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 08/06/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 08/07/2019, MPD received 444 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 444 calls for service for the past 24-hours, this is how the calls came in per district: Central (82), East (74), Midtown (73), North (79), South (51), West (54), 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". 

**Priority only calls from 6:45pm-8:24pm due to calls for service. 

**Priority calls only from 10:39pm-11:39pm due to calls for service. 

1) CENTRAL: Check Person – 5:35 a.m.  Officers received a request to check the welfare of a possible suicidal subject (42-year-old WF).  Officers were not provided with a current address for the subject.  The subject was ultimately located on E. Johnson Street.  The subject was not cooperative with officers.  The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation.  An emergency detention may be sought.  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) EAST: Check Property – 8:54 a.m.  Officers responded to a motel on E. Washington Ave for blood found in a room.  Officers observed a broken window and blood droplets.  No subjects were located.  Motel staff observed the occupant of the room check-out and did not notice any concerns at that time.  No reported walk-ins at local hospitals consistent with evidence located at the scene.  No further action deemed necessary by officers at this time.        

3) EAST: Disturbance – 12:10 p.m.  A Sergeant was contacted by witnesses who reported observing a female being punched by a suspect (43-year-old WM) near East Towne Mall.  The Sergeant went to contact the suspect and the suspect attempted to walk away.  The suspect was apprehended and detained.  The victim was no longer on scene.  The suspect was arrested, conveyed to jail and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting.  Investigation continuing.        

4) CENTRAL: Death Investigation – 2:20 p.m.  Officers responded to a central district residence for a deceased subject (22-year-old WF).  Evidence of drug use on scene.  Medical Examiner's office responded.  Investigation continuing. 

5) SOUTH: Weapons Offense/Check Person – 3:06 p.m.  Officers responded to Lake Point Dr to check the welfare of a possible suicidal subject (30-year-old AAM).  It was reported that the subject was on social media pointing a gun at himself.  Contact was made with the subject who denied being suicidal and stated the act was all "a show."  The subject has a harassment injunction against him which prevents him from lawfully possessing a firearm.  The subject/suspect was arrested for possession of a firearm contrary to a harassment order.     

6) CENTRAL: Traffic Arrest – 3:37 p.m.  Officers conducted a traffic stop on Packers/Commercial Avenue.  The driver/suspect (28-year-old AAM) was found to be in possession of a firearm and had an outstanding warrant (for carrying a concealed weapon).  The suspect was arrested, conveyed to jail and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, traffic citations, bail jumping and an outstanding warrant. 

7) EAST: Intoxicated Driver/Adult Arrested Person – 6:21 p.m.  Officers responded to the 3800 block of Milwaukee Street for what was originally called in as a crash.  The driver/suspect (37-year-old WF) crashed into a dumpster.  The vehicle was totaled.  The suspect was believed to be under the influence.  Field sobriety tests were administered, which the suspect failed.  The suspect was conveyed to a local hospital for evaluation/treatment of her injuries (non-life threatening).  The suspect was subsequently admitted to the hospital.  The suspect was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (2nd offense).     

8) WEST: Disturbance – 6:26 p.m.  An officer was conducting follow-up on a felony criminal damage to property investigation and made contact with a juvenile (10-year-old) on Morraine View Drive.  A suspect (17-year-old AAF) interjected herself into the investigation and falsely represented herself as the juvenile's sister.  The suspect subsequently told the police that they were not allowed to talk with the juvenile contacted.  The suspect continued to cause a disturbance, despite multiple warnings from the police to stop her behavior.  Officers went to arrest the suspect and she resisted.  The suspect was arrested, conveyed to jail and charged with resisting (2 counts) and disorderly conduct.      

9) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 12:31 a.m.  Officers responded to a rolling domestic disturbance (occurred while in a moving vehicle) where screaming could be heard on an open 911 line.  The location of the vehicle/subjects was unknown.  A Sheriff's Deputy observed the vehicle near Windsor and MPD responded.  The subjects (41-year-old AAF victim and 36-year-old AAM suspect) were contacted.  The victim and suspect are married and were involved in a heated verbal argument in the vehicle.  The suspect subsequently punched and bit the victim.  Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect.  The suspect was arrested, conveyed to jail and charged with battery and disorderly conduct (domestic-related charges). 

10) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 2:07 a.m.  Officers responded to the 5300 block of Sudbury Way for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (25-year-old AAF victim and 34-year-old AAM suspect).  The victim and suspect are in a relationship that is ending, at the desire of the victim.  The suspect showed up at the victim's residence where a verbal argument ensued.  The suspect attempted to force the victim into his vehicle.  The suspect drove away with the victim hanging out of a partially open door, and dragged her.  The victim was able to escape, without serious injury.  The suspect is at-large. Probable cause was developed to arrest/charge the suspect with multiple domestic-related charges.  Investigation continuing.       

11) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 2:09 a.m. Officers responded to the 2400 block of Brentwood Parkway for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (30-year-old AAF victim and 30-year-old AAM suspect).  Officers had made contact with the victim earlier in the evening but probable cause was not established for any charges (and the suspect was not on scene).  Officers were called back to the area for ongoing issues.  The suspect went to the victim's residence and kicked the door in.  The suspect then proceeded to physically assault the victim.  The suspect was not on scene when officers arrived the second time.  Probable cause was developed to arrest/charge the suspect with multiple domestic-related charges.  Investigation continuing. 

12) SOUTH: PNB/AED Response – 3:08 a.m.  Officers, along with MFD/EMS, responded to a motel in the 1600 block of the W. Beltline Hwy for a subject (35-year-old WM) found outside unconscious by an employee.  MFD administered Naloxone which revived the subject.  The subject was conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation.  No evidence of drug use observed.  No charges have been substantiated at this time.  The subject was left in the care of medical staff.  No further action deemed necessary by police at this time.