Today's blog sees a return of the daily significant call summaries. Many of you have been asking about their return, and I'm pleased that we were able to iron out our internal processes to bring these to you. Readers may notice a few minor format/content changes, with the most significant being that the summaries will no longer be released on weekends. Instead, the Monday version will summarize the full weekend. Significant call summaries on holidays will be summarized the next business day. I also plan on providing additional data updates/summaries in this blog on a regular basis.
I'd also like to provide some context on the daily call summaries and their limitations. The daily significant call summaries provide a sampling of incidents that officers respond to daily. They should not be viewed as a comprehensive overview of a day's events...some incidents may not be appropriate for inclusion while others may simply not make the summary. The daily call summaries also should not be viewed as a "report card" on quality of life in the City; data providing a more comprehensive overview is more appropriate for this. In my view, the daily call summaries are intended to try and provide the Madison community with a flavor of the type of work their police department is doing on their behalf every day. All too often, the public's image of police work seems to be based on movies and television. The reality, of course, is far different. While television may oversell the "action" part of the police job, it undersells the complexity of the job and the emotional toll it takes on officers. Every day our officers are working to solve problems that aren't solveable, to address challenges that others can't or won't, and enduring physical and emotional risk in service of the community. I am consistently impressed with the work MPD does, and my hope is that the daily call summaries help the community understand the work we do.
The information provided below about some of the calls officers responded to 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 10/22/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 10/23/2019, MPD received 475 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
**Priority calls only from 12:40 p.m. to 1:13 p.m. due to calls for service.
NORTH: Fraud – 9:20 a.m. Officers responded to a credit union on Shopko Drive regarding a subject/suspect (26-year-old male) attempting to deposit stolen checks. Probable cause developed and the suspect was arrested for current charges as well as outstanding warrants.
CENTRAL: Information – 10:06 a.m. Officers made contact with a complainant who located a note in their mailbox at work which had a concerning message on it. No charges have been substantiated at this time.
NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 1:18 p.m. Officers responded to a north side residence for a domestic disturbance between three subjects (two female victims and 40-year-old suspect). The suspect physically assaulted the two victims and threw items around the home. The suspect was arrested for two counts of domestic disorderly conduct.
SOUTH: Check Person – 3:12 p.m. Officers met with a juvenile (7-year-old) who reported having contact with two subjects where he was reportedly threatened. No evidence of the incident occurring as the juvenile reported. Journey Mental Health consulted and plugged in. The juvenile has a history of mental health concerns.
WEST: Weapons Offense – 3:44 p.m. Officers responded to West Towne Mall for a report of a fight and a subject with a gun. All suspects fled prior to officers arriving on scene. Investigation revealed that the suspects are known to one another (and an innocent bystander ended up in the middle of the altercation). No reported injuries. Incident Report on MPD's website completed.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 5:35 p.m. Officers met with a victim who reported receiving threatening messages from her partner/suspect (31-year-old male). The victim found a window screen at her home pulled out and items from her home missing. Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect, once he is located, for first degree recklessly endangering safety, entry into locked dwelling, domestic disorderly conduct, domestic battery and theft.
EAST: Assist MFD/EMS – 5:57 p.m. Officers responded, along with EMS/Fire, to an east side residence for an unresponsive child. Lifesaving measures performed. The child was transported to a local hospital.
SOUTH: Found Property – 6:04 p.m. Officers responded to Post Rd for a found unloaded firearm. Firearm recovered.
CENTRAL: Disorderly Conduct – 6:53 p.m. Officers responded to Winnebago St to check the welfare of a subject/suspect (67-year-old male) who stripped naked at a business and was screaming. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct.
MIDTOWN: Information – 9:17 p.m. Officers met with a complainant who reported observing concerning pictures with vague threats on social media. Investigation on-going.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 12:00 a.m. Officers responded to a west side residence for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (male victim and 30-year-old female suspect). The victim sustained visible injuries. The suspect was not on scene and refused to meet with officers. Probable cause was developed to arrest the suspect, once she is located, for second degree recklessly endangering safety, domestic disorderly conduct, battery and criminal damage to property.