MPD Unit Highlight: Traffic Enforcement Safety Team (TEST)
MPD's Traffic Enforcement and Safety Team (TEST) is staffed by one sergeant and five police officers. This unit is responsible for coordinating traffic safety awareness in partnership with the City of Madison Transportation Commission, MPD's Crossing Guards, City of Madison Traffic Engineering, Safe Communities, the Madison Metropolitan School District, law enforcement partners, the media and other community groups. This includes traffic law education and enforcement initiatives, working closely with the six MPD districts.
In 2019, the Madison Police Department received nearly 900 traffic-related complaints through both the 'Speeders Hotline' (608-266-4624) and online submissions. TEST provides proactive education and enforcement based on citizen complaints, crash data and known hotspots. In 2019, TEST issued traffic citations and/or warnings for over 3,000 hazardous traffic violations.
TEST also actively supports MPD missions in the areas of special events, dignitary visits and ceremonial events. TEST also coordinates the Madison Police Department's administration of a number of traffic-related grants in the area of speeding, pedestrian & bike safety, and OMVWI enforcement.
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 01/21/2020 through 6:00 a.m. on 01/22/2020, MPD 440 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. A breakdown of the calls for service per district is as follows: Central (66), East (89), Midtown (84), North (74), South (41), West (69), and Other (17). "Other" is used for calls that either do not have a sector or the sector is not in the City. This would be used in the case of one of our officers assisting another law enforcement agency.
01/21
MIDTOWN: Death Investigation – 6:40 a.m. Officers responded to an assisted living facility for a deceased subject (93-year-old male). Nothing suspicious identified. Medical Examiner's office notified.
SOUTH: Traffic Incident – 7:51 a.m. As MPD was conducting a traffic stop (Fish Hatchery Rd), another vehicle/driver passed within inches of the officer's squad, laid on his horn and swerved closer to the vehicle that the officer had stopped. The vehicle/driver (28-year-old male) was located at a nearby business. The driver was cited for reckless driving.
NORTH: Check Area – 8:07 a.m. Officers responded to Morrow Court to check on a suspicious vehicle occupied by four subjects. The vehicle was confirmed to be reported stolen. A loaded gun was recovered from the vehicle and four subjects were detained. Drugs were also located in the vehicle. Investigation continuing.
MIDTOWN: Adult Arrested Person – 9:55 a.m. Officers contacted a subject/suspect (18-year-old male) on school grounds due to information that he was in possession of a handgun. A search of the suspect's backpack yielded a handgun with rounds loaded in a magazine. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
MIDTOWN: Death Investigation – 10:33 a.m. Officers responded to a Midtown district residence for a subject down. Lifesaving measures were attempted but not successful. The subject (51-year-old male) was pronounced deceased. Medical Examiner's office responded. The decedent had health concerns. Nothing suspicious identified on scene.
EAST: Missing Adult – 1:30 p.m. Officers received a report of a missing adult (24-year-old male) with mental health concerns. Attempt to locate aired. The subject was entered as missing in the appropriate databases.
NORTH: Assist Law Enforcement – 1:57 p.m. Officers responded to Northport Drive (Warner Park area) for a report of a disturbance. Initial reports were that two male subjects were fighting and that one of the male subjects was a law enforcement officer. MPD arrived. One of the male subjects was identified as a DCI agent and had observed a fight between a male and female when he attempted to intervene. The female subject was not cooperative. The male subject/suspect (19-year-old) was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting.
NORTH: Check Person – 6:35 p.m. Officers responded to a North district residence to check the welfare of possible suicidal subject (female). It was reported that the subject was armed with a knife. The subject was contacted and taken into protective custody. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital where she was voluntarily admitted. Officers disengaged.
MIDTOWN: Stolen Vehicle – 7:30 p.m. Officers responded to the 6800 block of Odana Rd for a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was left running, unlocked and unoccupied. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
NORTH: Weapons Offense/Shots Fired – 8:13 p.m. Officers responded to the 1700 block of Northport Drive for reports of shots fired and subjects seen running from the area, along with a vehicle leaving the area. Subjects not on scene when officers arrived. No reports of injuries or property damage at this time.
EAST: Retail Theft – 8:33 p.m. A juvenile (16-year-old female) was arrested at the Walgreens in Monona for attempting to steal merchandise. The juvenile had stolen items from a store off Zeier Rd and also at a store in Janesville. The juvenile was booked into the Juvenile Reception Center.
SOUTH: Domestic Disturbance – 8:46 p.m. Officers responded to a South district residence for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (female victim and 33-year-old male suspect). The suspect was arrested for domestic strangulation and disorderly conduct (3 counts).
EAST: Stolen Vehicle – 8:53 p.m. Officers responded to Glacier Hill Drive for a report of a stolen vehicle from an open garage. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
CENTRAL: Retail Theft – 11:04 p.m. Officers responded to Kelly's Market in the 600 block of W. Washington Ave for a female subject causing a disturbance, assaulting a staff member and stealing cigarettes. The female subject fled in a vehicle. Once identified and located, the suspect will be charged with theft, disorderly conduct and battery.
MIDTOWN: Missing Adult – 11:23 p.m. Officers received a report of a missing adult (52-year-old male). Investigation continuing.
01/22
CENTRAL: Drug Incident – 12:54 a.m. Officers responded to the 100 block of E. Mifflin St for a subject/suspect (40-year-old male) selling drugs. The suspect was detained. Drug paraphernalia and a knife was located on the suspect. The suspect was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of bail jumping.
CENTRAL: Drug Incident – 1:06 a.m. Officers responded to the 1000 block of Williamson St for a subject/suspect (29-year-old male) experiencing a drug overdose. The suspect was administered Naloxone and CCR was performed on him prior to officers arriving. The suspect was cited for possession of heroin and bail jumping.
CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 1:11 a.m. Officers observed a wanted suspect (62-year-old male) on State Street. The suspect was contacted and drugs were located on his person. The suspect was arrested for an outstanding warrant, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.