Every day news headlines throughout the country are saturated with stories about the COVID-19 pandemic. Hidden amongst this national health crisis is another ongoing pandemic, domestic violence.
Cases of domestic violence have increased during the coronavirus outbreak, while opportunities for victims to disclose abuse and obtain safe living facilities have significantly declined. Victims – who are already isolated from family, friends, and other support systems as a result of the abuse – have found it more difficult to find safety and justice during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year in the State of Wisconsin, seventy-two people lost their lives as a result of domestic violence. The Madison Police Department responds to domestic violence calls every day, on every shift, in every district. Domestic violence calls pose significant safety risks to the victim, to the offender, to the police, and to the community. Domestic violence affects men and women of every age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Children who witness domestic violence are at an elevated risk for being victims of child abuse, and are more likely to become gang-involved. Domestic violence dynamics are predictable, and domestic violence homicides can be prevented with a swift multi-disciplinary response.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. The Madison Police Department, would like to acknowledge our continued commitment to serving all victims of crime, including domestic violence victims. This year we have provided enhanced training to all of our field training officers on domestic violence, strangulation, and stalking. We continue to work with advocacy agencies throughout Dane County and the State of Wisconsin to assist victims, and to provide safety for victims and the community. We routinely work in collaboration with the Dane County District Attorney's Office to seek justice for victims of domestic violence.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. You and your life matter. You deserve to be protected. You have the right to live a life without fear and abuse. There are resources to keep you safe, even if you do not want to report the abuse to the police.
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 09/30/2020 through 6:00 a.m. on 10/01/2020, MPD received 329 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 (57), East (69), Midtown (58), North (52), South (29), West (48), and Other (16). "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.
09/30
Priority calls only from 11:10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. due to calls for service.
MIDTOWN: Disturbance – 6:06 a.m. Officers responded to a local hospital regarding a suspect (29-year-old male) causing a disturbance and turning over chairs. The suspect was arrested/charged with disorderly conduct and felony bail jumping.
NORTH: Adult Arrested Person – 7:49 a.m. A suspect (32-year-old female) was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. The suspect was conveyed to jail.
CENTRAL: Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 8:49 a.m. A stolen moped was recovered. A suspect (24-year-old male) was arrested/charged with operating a motor vehicle without consent.
MIDTOWN: Adult Arrested Person – 12:36 p.m. Officers responded to a residence at the request of probation/parole. The suspect (21-year-old male) was taken into custody where he resisted. The suspect spit at officers and attempted to kick out a squad window. The suspect was charged with a probation/parole hold, resisting, battery to law enforcement, threats to law enforcement and discharging bodily fluids.
EAST: Disturbance – 3:40 p.m. Officers responded to a residence for a disturbance. A suspect (41-year-old male), who previously resided at the residence, showed up to retrieve some property. The suspect reached through a window to unlock the door. The resident/victim greeted the suspect with a baseball bat. The suspect was arrested/charged with trespassing and bail jumping.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 4:38 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance between two subjects (female victim and 24-year-old male suspect). The suspect pushed the victim during an argument. The suspect was arrested/charged with domestic disorderly conduct.
SOUTH: Weapons Offense – 6:24 p.m. Officers responded to Beld St for reports of shots fired. An occupied residence and an occupied vehicle were struck by bullets. No injuries reported. Shell casings recovered by officers. Incident Report on MPD's website competed.
CENTRAL: Disturbance – 7:53 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance between two subjects (male victim and 26-year-old male suspect). The suspect pushed the victim to the ground which resulted in the victim sustaining a broken leg. The suspect punched the victim in the face multiple times. The victim was conveyed to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was arrested/charged with disorderly conduct, battery and substantial battery.
WEST: Stolen Vehicle – 9:15 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from a business parking lot. The victim's keys and debit card were also stolen from her workplace locker (which was not locked). Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was entered as stolen in the appropriate databases.
NORTH: Adult Arrested Person – 9:21 p.m. Officers responded to a residence for an unwanted subject/suspect (57-year-old male). A decision was made to detain the suspect and convey him to detox. The suspect became resistive and had to go to a local hospital for a medical clearance where he continued being disruptive and resistive. The suspect was ultimately medically released, transported to jail and charged with resisting and threats to law enforcement (3 counts).
MIDTOWN: Check Person – 9:41 p.m. Officers received a report to check the welfare of a subject. Journey Mental Health plugged in. The subject was ultimately conveyed to Winnebago under an emergency detention order.
MIDTOWN: Death Investigation – 10:35 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a deceased subject (31-year-old male). Drug use evidence on scene. Nothing suspicious observed. Medical Examiner's office responded.
SOUTH: Assist EMS/Fire – 10:52 p.m. Officers responded, along with MFD, to a grease fire at an apartment complex. MPD assisted with traffic control.
10/01
NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 12:28 a.m. Officers responded to a disturbance between two subjects (female victim and 27-year-old male suspect). The suspect punched the victim which resulted in her falling to the ground. The victim sustained visible injuries. The suspect was not on scene when officers arrived. Probable cause developed to arrest/charge the suspect once he is located.
WEST: Residential Burglary – 5:39 a.m. A vehicle was stolen from a driveway (running and unoccupied). A second vehicle, in the garage, was rummaged through. A garage door opener and keys were also stolen. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.