In this episode of the Chief's Corner, MPD Records Custodian Julie Laundrie tells Chief Barnes that "pretty much anything we do here [at MPD] is a public record" under Wisconsin law. In 2020 alone MPD received 23,907 public records requests! Listen to learn how Julie and her team process those requests, what type of information is protected and how you can get a copy of a police report.
"One of the things that's so important about public records and the way we do things here at the Madison Police Department is that transparency helps us to develop trust in our community." – Chief Shon F. Barnes
The information provided below about some of the calls officers responded to (Friday morning to Monday morning) 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 04/09/2021 through 6:00 a.m. on 04/12/2021, MPD received 1,028 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 (169),East (196), Midtown (185), North (154), South (94), West (165), and Other (65). "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.
04/09
Priority calls only from 6:34 p.m. to 7:13 p.m. due to calls for service.
MIDTOWN: Domestic Disturbance – 3:48 a.m. Officers were dispatched to a residence where the suspect (26-year-old female) struck the victim in the face and bit him. The suspect was arrested and charged with domestic battery and disorderly conduct.
EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 5:47 a.m. During an argument, the suspect (39-year-old male) struck the victim in the face, pushed her to the ground and strangled her. The suspect was arrested and charged with domestic battery, disorderly conduct and strangulation.
WEST: Death Investigation – 6:30 a.m. Staff at an assisted living facility discovered the subject (88-year-old female) deceased in her residence. Nothing suspicious on scene. Medical examiner responded.
MIDTOWN: Weapons Offense – 9:40 a.m. The suspect (32-year-old male) attempted to kick in the victim's door and threatened to kill her and her children. The suspect fled the scene and officers tracked the suspect vehicle to a parking lot, where the officers took the suspect into custody. The suspect was charged with domestic disorderly conduct and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 10:57 a.m. The victim reported that the suspect (50-year-old male) followed her from a gas station and cut her vehicle off several times in traffic and yelled obscenities at her. Officers developed probable cause to charge the suspect with domestic disorderly conduct and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety. The suspect is at large.
WEST: Death Investigation – 11:03 a.m. The subject (52-year-old male) was discovered deceased in a residence. Nothing suspicious on scene. Medical examiner responded.
CENTRAL: Drug Overdose – 2:15 p.m. Officers responded to the Beacon at 615 E Washington Ave for a subject (32-year-old male) who had overdosed. Officers administered naloxone and revived the suspect who became combative. The suspect was placed into protective custody and transported to the hospital. The suspect was cited for resisting.
NORTH: Mental Health Conveyance – 3:12 p.m. Staff providing care for a subject (44-year-old male) reported that the subject's mental health had deteriorated to the point that staff was no longer able to safely provide sufficient care for him. The subject was placed into protective custody and transported to WMHI.
MIDTOWN: Mental Health Conveyance – 4:35 p.m. Officers made contact with a subject (63-year-old male) who had threatened to harm himself. Officers transported the subject to a local hospital where he was voluntarily admitted.
CENTRAL: Assist Police – 6:21 p.m. A suspect vehicle being pursued by Maple Bluff PD crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Williamson St and S Dickinson St. MPD officers assisted at the crash site.
MIDTOWN: Attempted Suicide – 6:27 p.m. Witnesses observed the subject (19-year-old female) step off a pedestrian bridge and fall to the roadway below. Witnesses performed life-saving measures and revived the subject who was transported to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
EAST: Sex Offense Misc – 8:27 p.m. The juvenile victim reported the suspect (32-year-old male) exposed his genitals to her while they were on a FaceTime call. Child Protective Services was notified. Investigation continuing.
EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 9:20 p.m. The victim reported the suspect (30-year-old male) punched the walls, yelled at her and threatened her in their residence. The suspect was arrested and charged with domestic disorderly conduct.
EAST: Drug Overdose – 9:31 p.m. Officers responded to the Culver's at 4401 Cottage Grove Rd for a subject (31-year-old male) who overdosed in a vehicle. MFD paramedics administered naloxone and revived the subject. No charges were substantiated.
CENTRAL: Domestic Disturbance – 9:51 p.m. Officers responded to a residence where during an argument, the suspect (40-year-old male) used a knife to cut an air mattress belonging to the victim. The suspect was arrested and charged with domestic damage to property.
EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 10:56 p.m. Officers responded to a residence where during an argument, the suspect (36-year-old male) pushed the victim, threatened to kill her, and armed himself with a handgun. The suspect then locked himself in a room and refused to make contact with officers who arrived on scene. The other occupants of the apartment left the residence. Officers developed probable cause to arrest the suspect on two charges of domestic disorderly conduct and one charge of domestic disorderly conduct while armed.
04/10
CENTRAL: Check Person – 5:46 a.m. Officers responded to a residence for a report of a subject (27-year-old female) screaming and breaking glass. The subject was placed into protective custody and conveyed to WMHI.
WEST: Check Person – 11:02 a.m. A mail carrier contacted dispatch to request assistance for a subject who had fallen in his residence. MFD paramedics responded and evaluated the subject who was determined to be ok.
EAST: Disturbance – 11:14 a.m. Officers responded to a residence where a caller had requested police assistance. Upon arrival to the residence, officers were unable to make contact with anyone and did not hear sounds of a disturbance coming from inside the apartment. No further police action was deemed necessary.
EAST: Missing Adult – 2:45 p.m. A 45-year-old male was reported as missing. Attempt to locate aired. The subject was listed as missing in the appropriate databases.
EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 2:53 p.m. A 24-year-old male suspect was taken into custody and charged with resisting/obstructing and carrying a concealed weapon. Weapons and ammo were observed in plain view in the suspect's vehicle and were seized.
NORTH: Disturbance – 2:55 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance between a father and son with a possible gun involved. The son was not on scene when officers arrived but officers were able to contact him. No charges substantiated. Both parties agreed to stay separated. Officers disengaged.
NORTH: Death Investigation – 3:14 p.m. Officers responded to a residence for a deceased subject (46-year-old male). Medical Examiner's office responded. Evidence of drug use observed on scene. Nothing suspicious observed. Autopsy pending.
MIDTOWN: Check Person – 4:11 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital at the request of Journey Mental Health regarding a possible emergency detention of a subject. Investigation revealed that the subject had been in the hospital for several days after an incident in another county. Outside law enforcement agency contacted. Hospital staff, Journey Mental Health and other county all consulted. Officers disengaged with other agency taking the lead.
MIDTOWN: Adult Arrested Person – 8:35 p.m. Officers, along with MFD, responded to a report of a subject falling down and laying in the grass. Contact was made with the subject/suspect (27-year-old male) who ended up punching a MFD employee in the face. The suspect was arrested and conveyed to a local hospital for a medical clearance. The suspect was subsequently transported to jail and charged with battery with special circumstances and felony bail jumping.
EAST: Assist EMS/Fire – 9:30 p.m. Officers responded, along with EMS/Fire, to a subject experiencing a drug overdose. Naloxone was administered and the subject was revived. No evidence of drug use observed. No charges substantiated at this time.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 9:58 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance involving a 49-year-old female suspect. The suspect was arrested/charged with domestic disorderly conduct while armed.
CENTRAL: Domestic Disturbance – 10:49 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance involving a 23-year-old male suspect. The suspect was arrested/charged with domestic disorderly conduct, domestic criminal trespass to dwelling, domestic criminal damage to property and bail jumping (3 misdemeanor counts).
04/11
Priority calls only from 1:36 a.m. to 3:08 a.m. due to calls for service.
Priority calls only from 5:18 a.m. to 6:34 a.m. due to calls for service.
MIDTOWN: Check Property – 12:48 a.m. An intoxicated subject/suspect (19-year-old male) broke into a residence believing it was his. The suspect sustained a significant injury to his arm as he broke the window. The suspect received medical attention and was cited for disorderly conduct.
NORTH: Domestic Disturbance – 1:24 a.m. Officers responded to a disturbance involving a 40-year-old male suspect. The suspect was arrested/charged with domestic disorderly conduct and domestic battery.
CENTRAL: Crash with Injuries – 1:31 a.m. Officers responded to a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash at Broom/Gorham. Witnesses describe observing the pedestrian crossing the road not in the crosswalk and the vehicle driving at reasonable speeds. Cameras show the vehicle had a green light. No impairment by the driver. The pedestrian was conveyed to a local hospital for medical attention. The driver was released.
SOUTH: Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 6:09 a.m. A vehicle was reported stolen and then recovered unoccupied.
CENTRAL: Battery – 8:33 a.m. Officers responded to a disturbance involving a 61-year-old male suspect. The suspect was arrested/charged with disorderly conduct (2 counts), battery and outstanding warrants.
SOUTH: Disturbance – 8:57 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a subject who threatened another subject with a gun. Contact was made with two subjects who were cooperative with officers (one of whom reported being punched). The original complainant was not on scene and were not able to be contacted. Witnesses did not observe any concerning behavior. Subject on scene did not wish to pursue any charges. No charges substantiated.
NORTH: Death Investigation – 11:22 a.m. Officers responded to check the welfare of a subject (35-year-old female) who was located deceased. History of drug use known. Medical Examiner's office responded. Investigation continuing.
SOUTH: Stolen Vehicle – 3:50 p.m. A vehicle was reported stolen by a known acquaintance. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
EAST: Battery – 4:09 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a battery involving a 62-year-old female suspect. The victim sustained a bruise. Contact made with the suspect. Investigation continuing.
EAST: Sexual Assault – 4:40 p.m. Officers met with a victim who reported being sexually assaulted the previous day. Investigation continuing.
SOUTH: Check Person – 7:13 p.m. Officers responded to a residence for a report that the caller was being attacked. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with a male subject outside. The male subject approached the residence and the female subject/caller was found on a rug that was on fire making suicidal statements. The fire was put out and the female was taken into protective custody. The female subject was conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. Probable cause also developed to charge the suspect with arson. Final outcome pending.
WEST: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 9:18 p.m. A 14-year-old female juvenile was reported as missing/runaway. The juvenile has a history of running away. No safety/medical concerns identified. Attempt to locate aired. The juvenile was listed as missing/runaway.
SOUTH: Weapons Offense – 9:38 p.m. Officers responded to the 2900 block of Traceway Drive for an occupied residence that was hit, after hearing gun shots. No injuries sustained. Incident Report on MPD's website completed. Investigation continuing.
WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 9:44 p.m. Officers responded to a disturbance involving a 35-year-old male suspect. The suspect was arrested/charged with domestic disorderly conduct.
CENTRAL: Check Person – 10:37 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital regarding a suicidal subject. Journey Mental Health plugged in. The subject was voluntarily admitted and officers disengaged.
04/12
Priority calls only from 2:27 a.m. to 4:09 a.m. due to calls for service.
NORTH: Crash – 1:32 a.m. Officer observed a vehicle strike a pole and the driver/suspect (27-year-old male) fled on foot. The suspect came back to the scene and he was arrested/charged with felon in possession of a handgun, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (1st offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
SOUTH: Check Area – 2:30 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a juvenile with a BB gun making threats. Area canvassed. No concerns identified.
CENTRAL: Residential Burglary – 4:29 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a residential burglary. Officers arrived on scene and detained a subject/suspect. Investigation continuing.