Crime Prevention Blotter

October 2, 2023 1:01 PM

Hello Midtown, Property crime impacts just about everyone and, can be stubbornly persistent. However, there are things we can do to reduce and prevent it. And I do mean WE! Please take a look at the below link to help us (and you) prevent property crime. Thank you and happy … [read more]

April 8, 2021 11:55 AM

Here are 10 things you need to know when meeting someone buying or selling something online: Always meet in a public place Tell someone Never meet at home Always meet during the day If it's a high-priced transaction, do it at a bank Don't pay in cash Disable caller ID Don't … [read more]

November 18, 2020 9:44 AM

It's that time of year for giving... and taking. With so many people shopping online because of the pandemic, we are expected to have a record-breaking year for home deliveries and Porch Pirates this holiday season. These adventurous thieves feast on crimes of opportunity and convenience, … [read more]

March 12, 2020 11:35 AM

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information … [read more]

October 3, 2019 4:25 PM

There is an active group of persons in a convoy of vehicles going throughout communities in and around Madison, breaking into cars as well as homes. The MO is to check the car in the driveway and upon finding it unlocked, use the garage door opener to make entry into your home. This group is … [read more]

August 21, 2019 10:37 AM

Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall. It's that time of year again. While we are busy getting back into school-mode, it's even more important to put safety first. Here are some quick and easy #Back2SchoolSAFETYTIPS for us all: Head Up Phone Down Never Dart Out In Front Of A Parked Car Lock … [read more]

June 5, 2019 11:10 AM

On behalf of the Madison Police Department Burglary Crime Unit, Happy Summer! We hope it is a safe one for you and yours. To assist in that endeavor, we have some tips to keep you, your residences and properties safe. As the supervisor of the BCU, I review the vast majority of case reports … [read more]

May 16, 2019 10:15 AM

There have been 150 stolen vehicles so far in 2019, a 14% increase over same time period last year. In April of this year, the City had 34 stolen autos reported, representing a 36% increase over April of 2018. Of the 34 stolen autos reported in April, 28 had keys left in them. Two stolen … [read more]

April 24, 2019 11:13 AM

DOSE OF REALITY On April 27, we will be collecting any unused prescription painkillers as part of Wisconsin’s next Drug Take Back Day. Madison Police Department will have two lobby locations open on Saturday from 8a-4p: East District: 809 S. Thompson Dr West District: 1710 McKenna … [read more]

April 17, 2019 12:33 PM

Most of us have felt it at some time or another: that sinking feeling when you can’t find your phone anywhere and realize you’ve lost it, or worse, that someone has stolen it. Mobile phones and the data they hold are very valuable to thieves. And for similar reasons — they hold so much important … [read more]

March 15, 2019 3:17 PM

In the coming weeks, students from the Madison Metropolitan School District and UW-Madison will be among those on Spring Break, heading to beaches and other (hopefully warmer) vacation destinations. Empty homes, apartments, and condos can be targets for opportunistic criminals, and with that … [read more]

February 25, 2019 10:32 AM

Caller ID Spoofing Content for this blog is courtesy of the FCC and can be found here If you think you've been the victim of a spoofing scam, you can file a complaint with the FCC. Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID … [read more]

January 16, 2019 2:44 PM

Who wouldn't love to be that winner you see on TV holding a great big sweepstakes check? That's what con artists are counting on when they claim to be Publishers Clearing House. This trick is an oldie but goodie for scammers. The scam starts with a call or letter saying you've won the … [read more]

January 7, 2019 2:53 PM

Are you looking to escape the Wisconsin winter for some warmer weather? Whether you are going on a short vacation or consider yourself a snowbird, it is important to prep your home before you leave. Here are 10 safety tips and best practices for snowbirds and vacationers: Make … [read more]

November 19, 2018 10:50 AM

It's that time of year again when we come home to front porches full of boxes from online retailers where we find all of the best deals from the convenience of ordering from our phones. This joyous occasion is also the favorite time of year for #PorchPirates. These adventurous thieves feast … [read more]

November 14, 2018 12:04 PM

Recently, we have had approximately six robberies involving Facebook Marketplace transactions. Here are 10 things you need to know when meeting someone buying or selling something online: Always meet in a public place Tell someone Never meet at home Always meet during the day If … [read more]

November 7, 2018 9:45 AM

Over the years Officer Putter has seen it all. Putter has assisted with many community outreach events as well as old crime prevention programs such as DARE and McGruff. After 20+ years serving the Madison community and its police department, Putter decided to retire from what he loved … [read more]

October 30, 2018 12:46 PM

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help them have a safe holiday, here are some safety tips: ALL DRESSED UP: Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact … [read more]

August 29, 2018 12:56 PM

Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall. It's that time of year again. While we are busy getting back into school-mode, it's even more important to put safety first. Here are some quick and easy #Back2SchoolSAFETYTIPS for us all: Head Up Phone Down Never Dart Out In Front Of … [read more]

December 4, 2017 5:07 PM

The holidays can be stressful enough without the added burden of trying to avoid becoming a theft victim. Our friends with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department just sent out a statewide alert telling us of a new twist on an old scam. The Sheriff’s Department knew that folks could use this alert … [read more]

June 15, 2017 10:05 AM

Many of you may have seen the incident report about a suspicious person in the Hill Farms Neighborhood on the near west side who asked an 11 year old boy to get into his vehicle. Fortunately, the young man wisely refused and safely made it home on his … [read more]

March 22, 2017 10:15 AM

The Good Neighbor Project MPD’s new Crime Prevention Coordinator, Emily Samson is bringing a new twist to our Neighborhood Watch program. Officer Samson has been very busy since being asked to revitalize and update our neighborhood safety initiatives. Part of that new look is to … [read more]

December 19, 2016 10:20 AM

During the holidays practice the following safety tips: If leaving for several days put a stop on mail and newspaper delivery. Use several timers that can be placed at different locations in your home. Make arrangements for snow removal. Always lock windows and doors. Don’t post … [read more]

December 9, 2016 2:59 PM

Remember No Shovels, No Snow, No work needed. The Madison Police Department and Madison Area Crime Stoppers need your help in identifying suspects in a rash of burglaries that occurred Wednesday, December 7th between 1pm and 5pm. In these cases the suspects report looking for work shoveling … [read more]

November 18, 2016 9:29 AM

With the winter chill in the air and the approaching holiday season, Madison Crime Prevention Unit has several tips for your safety. Your personal safety should always be on your mind when out shopping and in the public. During the holiday season people are usually distracted by their … [read more]

October 11, 2016 1:41 PM

The Madison Police Department and Madison Area Crime Stoppers needs your help in identifying suspects in criminal damage and theft from vehicle cases. Over the last three months Madison’s East side has seen a dramatic increase in thefts from vehicles. Over this last weekend a BB gun was … [read more]

September 9, 2016 2:05 PM

Watch Wednesday is an opportunity for current Neighborhood Watch programs or those interested in Neighborhood Watch to learn about the start up process and how to sustain a successful program. Date: September 21st Time: 7pm – 9pm Location: Madison Police Department Training … [read more]

August 5, 2016 1:58 PM

The Madison Police Department and Madison Area Crime Stoppers need your help in identifying suspects with suspicious behavior. With an increase in burglaries city-wide, the Madison Police Department needs your help reporting suspicious activity. A technique used last week was the knock and … [read more]

July 19, 2016 9:01 AM

AUTO THEFT PREVENTION STRATEGIES: Make sure your overhead and side garage doors are closed and locked, even when you are at home. Keep your vehicle doors locked when parked in your driveway or garage overnight. Suspects are taking garage door openers which would allow them to gain access … [read more]

July 8, 2016 10:02 AM

The Burglary Crime Unit reports a recent case in which the suspect gained entry into a residence by cutting the screen to an open window. With the warmer weather it is common for people to leave windows open. Open windows on the first floor provide a tempting opportunity for a suspect. If … [read more]

June 20, 2016 9:20 AM

The Madison Police Department’s Crime Prevention Tip of the Week. Motion light verses dusk to dawn light. Which light should you choose to best protect your property? Motion lights are so common that they may be viewed like car alarms. When the public hears a car alarm they no longer … [read more]

June 6, 2016 1:20 PM

Maintenance is another concept of CPTED. CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Maintenance refers to the idea of the continued use of a space for an intended purpose. This is done by keeping the property maintained and landscape managed. If locks, windows, doors, … [read more]

June 1, 2016 10:18 AM

Territorial Behavior is the fourth concept of CPTED. CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. This refers to the development of ownership. This is done through fences, landscaping, and pavement treatments. This gives the visitor the sense of where your property … [read more]

May 23, 2016 11:01 AM

Natural Surveillance is a CPTED concept. CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Natural Surveillance is the placement of structures, landscaping features, activities, and people in a way that maximizes your view of the area. This allows you to see what is around … [read more]

May 11, 2016 11:04 AM

Natural Access Control is a CPTED concept. CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Natural Access Control is defined as a means to control access to the business or house. People are guided through the space by the placement of sidewalks, entrances, and … [read more]

May 2, 2016 1:36 PM

CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. During the next three weeks I will share these concepts with you. The concepts involved in CPTED are Natural Access Control, Natural Surveillance, and Territorial Reinforcement. If you have questions about crime prevention … [read more]

April 19, 2016 9:06 AM

A new scam comes from the phone number of 360-234-2061. The suspect identifies himself as Dennis Gray. He reports to be from the Treasury Department and that you may have legal action taken against you if you don't respond. Several key words that are used in this scam are: … [read more]

April 18, 2016 2:55 PM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. We need your help. The Madison Police Department and your neighbors need your help in stopping burglaries. As a member of the Madison community remind your neighbors and friends to close and lock front and back doors, … [read more]

March 28, 2016 9:13 AM

The Madison Police Department and Crime Prevention Unit need your help in stopping home improvement scams. With warmer temperatures Madison may see an increase in home improvement scams. The Scammer goes door to door offering to do repairs on your home or driveway. The important thing to … [read more]

March 15, 2016 10:00 AM

The Madison Police Department reminds you to always lock your bike. With the warmer weather many Madison residents take to the road on bikes. Remember these tips when it comes to bike theft prevention. Invest in a good quality lock Lock your bike Record the description and serial … [read more]

March 8, 2016 11:38 AM

Know your money. We have seen an increase in counterfeit bills being circulated in Madison. So far this year there has been 50 reports made of counterfeit bills. There are numerous security features in our currency. Follow the link to see the … [read more]

February 29, 2016 1:37 PM

The Madison Police Department reminds you to lock your doors, windows, and garage. Many of our burglaries are crimes of opportunity. With the change in seasons we enjoy more time outside. Remember that leaving a door unlocked or a garage door open may seem reasonable, especially if you are … [read more]

February 23, 2016 9:17 AM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. It appears that the IRS scam calls are making its way around Madison again. Do not call back any number that is left on your voicemail from someone claiming to be from the IRS. To schedule a personal safety course for … [read more]

February 10, 2016 8:16 AM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. “Come in the door is unlocked” How many times have you heard this or have you ever said it? A well known criminal technique is to knock on the door to see if someone is home. If the door is unlocked and you are in … [read more]

February 1, 2016 11:00 AM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. This time of year it is a good idea to check your credit card charges and confirm that there are no suspicious charges or transactions. It is also a good time to change online passwords while you are checking your … [read more]

January 28, 2016 9:51 AM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. We need your help. The Madison Police Department and your neighbors need your help in stopping the ongoing theft from unlocked vehicles. Remember to lock your car. Lock your car, close your garage door, and report … [read more]

November 23, 2015 8:50 AM

Remember to be aware of your surroundings. Remember not to expose your cash or credit cards before or past the point of purchase. Don't set your wallet down without keeping a hand on it. Many people forget and leave their wallets at the register. Electronic items like phones and tablets … [read more]

November 10, 2015 11:51 AM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week! The IRS scam is making its way around the Madison area again today. In this scam a message is left for you to call back the IRS at a specific phone number. Madison Crime Prevention Unit has received two new IRS scam … [read more]

October 30, 2015 2:19 PM

The Madison Police Department’s Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. Don’t leave your purse, wallet, or phone unattended. Keep your hand on your purse, wallet, or phone when setting it on a counter or in a shopping cart. This will help prevent theft and also remind you to put it away … [read more]

October 7, 2015 10:40 AM

Safety Tips Many of us practice personal safety measures every day without thinking about it or being able to put our own safety practices into words. The reality is that you could do everything right and still be a victim of a crime. This is because the suspect is choosing their target … [read more]

September 22, 2015 1:51 PM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. Skimmers are in Madison. This crime involves two pieces of equipment A card reader A pin hole camera viewing the keypad Skimmers are devices that are placed over the card reader on ATMs. This allows the … [read more]

August 11, 2015 11:09 AM

Be careful when using Craigslist for job opportunities. The latest scam starts with the victim contacting the possible employer for a position as a personal assistant. The job would require that the victim receive mail and cash checks. What ended up happening was that the suspect would issue … [read more]

August 4, 2015 1:48 PM

The Madison Police Department Crime Prevention Safety Tip of the week. Wednesday, April 15th is long past us but this scam keeps showing up. This week we have seen an increase in the IRS scam. In this scam a voicemail message is left for you to call back the IRS at a specific phone … [read more]

May 8, 2015 4:36 PM

Since the beginning of this week there have been at least 14 theft from auto incidents in West District. Many, if not all of the vehicles were left unlocked. Low-value items were reported taken - sunglasses, spare change, etc. Vehicles were entered during the overnight hours from approximately … [read more]

April 23, 2015 10:31 AM

West District Officers Tom Grosse and Scott Favour put together this short video with some helpful burglary prevention tips: https://youtu.be/vs87TRlxtYQ These are the materials used in the above video: Home Depot: Quantity Description SKU# … [read more]

March 27, 2015 8:50 AM

Next week, students from the Madison Metropolitan School District and the UW-Madison will be among those on Spring Break, heading to beaches and other (hopefully warmer) vacation destinations. In an effort to help curb burglaries during this time, Madison Police has partnered with a number of … [read more]

August 4, 2014 10:31 AM

Many of us are travelling near and far during the summer months and are often eager to share pictures and updates with friends and family via social media sites.  While you may be anxious to share pictures of your time away from home, please think about the following ideas when posting … [read more]

July 22, 2014 1:08 AM

Have you thought about getting an alarm at your home?  It is a personal choice that certainly does not come without additional expenses.  As an alarm owner for the past 17 years at three different properties, here are a few tips and ideas I can share for you to consider if you have decided to … [read more]

June 30, 2014 9:31 AM

Have you ever wondered how secure your doors and locks really are in your home?  This week, we encourage you to take a few minutes and examine the locks on the doors leading into your home from your garage.  Deadbolts should be used on every exterior door if possible.  Many garage doors … [read more]

June 19, 2014 11:18 AM

Since many of us have been checking the exteriors of our homes lately for storm related damage, we thought we would share a few burlgary prevention considerations to ponder as well...  • Are your shrubs and bushes trimmed back so there is no place for someone to hide? • Are tree canopies … [read more]

June 5, 2014 1:42 PM

The Madison Police Department and Crime Prevention Unit need your help in stopping “Grandma” scams…you may have heard of these before.  Crime Stoppers received two recent reports of the “Grandma” scam in the Madison area. Here is how the scam works…A victim answers the phone and the … [read more]

May 29, 2014 12:36 PM

With warmer temperatures, Madison may see an increase in home improvement scams and we need your help in stopping them. In 2013, one of the top scams reported was a “repair person” going door to door and offering to do repairs on homes or driveways.  These were always unsolicited visits … [read more]

May 19, 2014 11:29 AM

As the weather finally warms this week, many of us will be airing out our homes and opening windows to enjoy the spring air.  When you leave your homes this week, please remember that windows should be shut and locked if you are leaving your home unoccupied.  Opportunistic burglars are also … [read more]

November 20, 2013 2:35 PM

As the City of Madison and the Central District continue to experience thefts, robberies and burglaries with smart phones being the target, the article and news clip show the magnitude of the issue. Video: Inside the hidden tech battle over a smart phone "kill switch" There's a hidden … [read more]

October 11, 2013 8:37 AM

The Madison Police Department and Crime Stoppers need your help in identifying suspects in the passing of counterfeit bills. On Friday, October 4th at 7pm, two counterfeit bills were passed on Madison's west side. The suspects washed a $5.00 bill and copied the information from a $100 … [read more]