Bicycles are a popular form of transportation and recreation in Madison. So it isn't a surprise that MPD recovers quite a few bicycles every year...in fact, we have a part-time position that focuses on collecting bicycles that have been abandoned. Once we recover a bicycle we attempt to determine who it belongs to and return it. Unfortunately, most bicycles are unlicensed, and we frequently are not able to locate the owner of a recovered bicycle. Historically, these bicycles have eventually been auctioned off.
A few years ago, MPD recognized an opportunity to put some of these bicycles to good use. Thanks to a 2017 change in City ordinance, MPD is now able to donate these abandoned bicycles to non-profit organizations. Since the ordinance changed, MPD has donated more than 120 bicycles to non-profit organizations, including The Beacon, Free Bikes for Kids, River Food Pantry, Wheels for Winners and the Preeclampsia Foundation. This initiative has been a great success and provides another way for MPD to positively impact the community.
More information – including instructions on how a non-profit can apply to receive bicycles – is available here:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/support/bicycleDonation.cfm
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 10/29/2019 through 6:00 a.m. on 10/30/2019, MPD received 438 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials.
**Limited crash response from 7:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. due to road conditions/staffing.
SOUTH: Death Investigation – 8:37 a.m. Officers responded to a South District residence regarding a deceased subject. The decedent had health concerns. Nothing suspicious observed. Medical Examiner's office notified.
EAST: Stolen Auto – 11:27 a.m. Officers responded to East Towne Mall for a report of a stolen vehicle. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 12:13 p.m. Officers responded to a North District residence for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (female victim and 24-year-old male suspect). Probable cause was developed and the suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and strangulation (domestic-related charges).
WEST: Mental Health Conveyance – 1:27 p.m. Officers responded to check the welfare of a possible suicidal subject. The subject was voluntarily admitted to a local hospital for an evaluation. Journey Mental Health plugged in.
WEST: Suspicious Person – 1:39 p.m. Officers met with a victim (female) who reported being followed by an unknown subject/suspect (61-year-old male). The suspect was contacted and subsequently cited for disorderly conduct.
NORTH: Child Neglect – 2:43 p.m. Officers responded to Northport Drive regarding two young children who were outside unattended (and one of the children was not dressed properly for the weather). Before officers arrived, the father of the children had arrived home and taken the children back to the residence. Contact was made with the father and mother of the children who advised that the children were staying with grandparents for a few days. Child Protective Services notified. Charges may be forthcoming.
WEST: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 2:59 p.m. Officers received a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (14-year-old female). Attempt to locate aired. Areas checked. No immediate safety concerns identified for the juvenile. The juvenile was entered as missing/runaway in the appropriate databases.
SOUTH: Intoxicated Driver – 5:14 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a driver/vehicle striking several mailboxes and driving on a rim on/near Fell Road. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver/suspect (51-year-old male) was administered field sobriety tests, which he did not pass. A search of the vehicle yielded marijuana. The suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (2nd offense), possession of marijuana and striking/damaging property.
CENTRAL: Juvenile Complaint – 10:05 p.m. Officers responded to a Central District residence regarding a juvenile (17-year-old male) reportedly "out-of-control." The juvenile was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. The juvenile was subsequently released to go home with a safety plan in place.
NORTH: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 10:29 p.m. Officers received a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (17-year-old female). Contact did occur between the juvenile and her mother but the juvenile refused to come home. Areas checked. Attempt to locate aired. No immediate safety concerns identified for the juvenile. The juvenile was listed as missing/runaway in the appropriate databases.
EAST: Assist Law Enforcement – 12:55 a.m. Officers responded to Bowman where a vehicle crashed into a home and the driver fled on foot. The vehicle had been involved in a pursuit with the Dane County Sheriff's Office. MPD responded to the crash and assisted with searching for the driver/occupants/suspects. The Wisconsin State Patrol and Dane County Sheriff's Office have the lead on this investigation.