Chief Koval's Blog

The August 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

• 21 shots fired in August (11% increase from August of 2018 when we had 19 shots fired)
• 97 shots fired year-to-date (32% decrease from the same timeframe in 2018 when we had 131 shots fired)
• 9 reports of property damage (36 year-to-date)
• 2 subjects were struck by gunfire (15 year-to-date)
• 57 casings were recovered (241 year-to-date)
• District break-down of shots fired in August: North – 6; South – 4; West/Midtown/Central – 3 each; East - 2

Robberies

• 19 reported robberies in August (37% decrease from August of 2018 when we had 30 reported robberies)
• 151 reported robberies year-to-date (1% increase when looking at the average over the same timeframe in the past 5 years – 149.2 robberies)
• District break-down of robberies in August: South – 5; Central – 4; East – 4; North – 3; Midtown – 2; West – 1

Burglaries

• 83 reported burglaries in August (37% decrease from August of 2018 when we had 131 burglaries)
• 670 burglaries reported year-to-date (1% decrease when looking at the average over the same timeframe in the past 5 years – 674 burglaries)
• District break-down of burglaries in August: East – 24 ; North – 17; Central – 16; West – 14; Midtown – 8; South – 4

Stolen Autos

• 35 reports of stolen autos in August (15% decrease from August of 2018 when there were 41 reports of stolen autos)
• 297 stolen auto reports received year-to-date (21% increase from same timeframe in 2018 when there were 246 stolen auto reports)
• Of the 35 reports of stolen autos - 31 vehicles have been recovered, 33 had the keys in the vehicles or the keys were left easily accessible; two of the vehicles were left unlocked and running at the time they were stolen
• 11 juveniles and 9 adults (for purposes of arrest and prosecution, an offender is consider an "adult" at age 17 in the State of Wisconsin) were arrested in August for stolen auto-related charges
• District break-down of stolen autos in August: West/North – 9 each; South/East – 6 each; Central – 3; Midtown – 2

Thefts from Autos

• 124 reports of thefts from autos in August (25% decrease from August of 2018 when we received/responded to 166 reports of thefts from autos)
• 698 reports of thefts from autos year-to-date (19% decrease when compared to the average - 864 - over the same timeframe in the last five years)
• Type of entry used in these crimes: forced entry – 14 incidents; no force used (unknown how entry was made) – 34 incidents; vehicle was left unlocked – 46 incidents
• District break-down of theft from autos in August: East – 34; Midtown – 26; Central – 20; North – 19; West – 14; South – 11

Heroin Overdoses

• 23 known overdoses in August (36% decrease from August 2018 when there were also 36 known overdoses)
• 155 known overdoses year-to-date (26% decrease from same time frame in 2018 when we were aware of 210 overdoses)
• 2 suspected deaths from heroin overdoses in August (5 suspected deaths in August of 2018)
• 20 suspected deaths from heroin overdoses year-to-date (39% decrease from the same time frame in 2018 when we were aware of 33 deaths linked to heroin overdoses)
• Demographic information related to overdoses this year: 74% male, 26% female; 81% White, 14% African American, 5% Hispanic/Asian/Native American
• Demographic information related to overdose fatalities this year: 60% male, 40% female; 75% White, 20% African American, 5% Asian
• Officers referred 5 subjects to the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative (MARI) in August for treatment (52 individuals have completed the MARI program so far)
• District break-down of heroin overdoses in August: East – 7; North – 6; South – 4; Central – 3; West – 2; Midtown – 1

*** 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 09/05/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 09/06/2019, MPD received 528 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 528 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (115), East (119), Midtown (81), North (73), South (41), West (62), and Other (37).  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 8:15pm-11:10pm due to calls for service. 

1) MIDTOWN: Check Person – 4:47 a.m.  Officers were advised that a subject (33-year-old WF) at a local hospital had overdosed in a restroom and left the hospital (after being revived with several doses of Naloxone).  Areas checked.  K9 track conducted.  The subject was not located.  Information was obtained through a family member that the subject was observed in Monona around 7am and appeared to be fine.  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: Residential Burglary – 7:47 a.m.  Officers responded to an east side residence for a residential burglary.  A suspect entered the home through an unlocked side door and stole laptops, wallets, backpacks and a purse.  Investigation continuing.    

3) MIDTOWN: Check Person – 8:48 a.m.  Officers received a request to check the welfare of a subject (31-year-old HM) who has not been heard from/seen in several days by family or at work.  Attempt to locate aired.  Investigation continuing.   

4) NORTH: Disturbance – 11:19 a.m.  Officers responded to Vera Court for a disturbance between two subjects (22-year-old AAF victim and 29-year-old AAM suspect) who have been dating but do not live together.  The suspect slapped the victim.  The suspect was not on scene when officers arrived.  The victim did not sustain any visible injuries.  Investigation continuing. 

5) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 3:22 p.m.  Officers responded to a north side residence for an ongoing disturbance between two subjects (55-year-old WF victim and 50-year-old WM suspect).  The subjects are married and are going through a separation.  The suspect has made various vague threats over the past several weeks.  The victim attempted to gain entrance to their home but the suspect refused to let her in.  The suspect was said to be intoxicated and have access to an axe/sledgehammer.  The victim decided to go stay with a friend for the night. Officers did not engage with the suspect.  Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect at a later time for domestic disorderly conduct.  The suspect has an outstanding warrant as well.  Investigation continuing. 

6) CENTRAL: Sexual Assault/Adult Arrested Person – 4:58 p.m.  Officers responded to Williamson St and met with a victim (26-year-old AAF) who reported a suspect (26-year-old HM) exposed himself to her and attempted to get her to perform oral sex.  The suspect was arrested for 4th degree sexual assault and lewd/lascivious behavior.  Investigation continuing.      

7) NORTH: Assist EMS – 4:59 p.m.  Officers responded to Kipling Dr to assist MFD with a semi-cooperative subject/suspect (39-year-old AAM).  CCR had been performed and the suspect was conveyed to a local hospital.  No evidence of drug use observed.  A hold/warrant was placed on the suspect and he will be arrested/transported to jail once medically released.  Investigation continuing.

8) NORTH: Residential Burglary – 5:30 p.m.  Officers responded to Winchester St for a residential burglary.  K9 track conducted.  There was damage observed to the rear door of the residence.  At this time no items are reported as missing.  Investigation continuing. 

9) MIDTOWN: Mental Health Conveyance – 6:23 p.m.  Officers responded to a local hospital for a subject (31-year-old AAF) who was in need of an emergency detention.  Journey Mental Health consulted.  The subject was conveyed to Winnebago.

10) NORTH: Information/Sexual Assault – 7:19 p.m.  Officers responded to a north side residence and met with a victim (31-year-old WF) who reported a sexual assault involving her ex-boyfriend/suspect (AAM).  The suspect has not been contacted at this time.  Investigation continuing. 

11) EAST: Weapons Offense – 7:57 p.m.  Officers responded to Eagle Summit Ct/Owl Creek Dr reference a large fight involving 10-12 subjects.  It was reported that a gun may have been involved.  Investigation continuing.    

12) EAST: Weapons Offense – 8:48 p.m.  Officers responded to the 3000 block of Worthington Ave for a report of shots fired.  Numerous casings of varying calibers were located in the roadway.  No damage or injuries have been reported at this time.  Incident Report on MPD's website completed.  Investigation continuing. 

13) NORTH: Domestic Disturbance/Adult Arrested Person – 10:28 p.m.  Officers responded to Troy Drive for a disturbance involving two subjects (36-year-old WM victim and 53-year-old WM suspect).  The suspect is the victim's step-father and it was reported that the suspect threatened the victim with a gun.  Contact was made with the suspect, who was cooperative with officers.  Several long guns were located in the residence.  The suspect was found to be prohibited from possessing firearms.  The suspect was arrested, conveyed to jail and charged with disorderly conduct while armed and bail jumping.  Investigation continuing.         

14) EAST: Information/Armed Robbery – 12:24 a.m.  Officers were first called about vehicles chasing each other on the Beltline.  The caller/victim (33-year-old WM) reported that he was robbed of a significant amount of cash and that he was chasing the suspects (21-year-old AAM, 28-year-old AAM and 43-year-old AAM).  The Dane County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop involving the victim near Edgerton.  The Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a traffic stop involving the suspects near the Dells.  The victim was arrested for some minor drug charges and traffic violations.  It was at that point that the victim was insistent on filing a report about the alleged armed robbery.  The driver/main suspect (21-year-old AAM) was arrested for operating while intoxicated.  The two other suspects were arrested  for armed robbery (party to a crime).  There are telltale signs that this incident surfaced over the purchasing/selling of drugs.  Investigation continuing.