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West District Blotter

Tag: Crime Prevention

September 29, 2023 10:25 AM

Hi all, hope this finds you well. I know it is hard to believe (since I still see 80's in the forecast) but…winter is coming! I love it when it gets colder. I don’t know if it is the chill in the air, the death of mosquitoes, or being on the cusp of the holiday season that does it for me, but it … [read more]

June 11, 2021 3:30 PM

Be advised of recent property crime in the West District ovenight in the area of Old Sauk Rd and Bear Claw Way. It appears that suspect(s) entered unlocked cars on the road or in the driveway and were able to gain access into the garage. Officers will provide additional directed patrols … [read more]

October 19, 2020 11:18 AM

Thanks to the Orchard Ridge and Greentree Neighborhood Associations along with the East Side Good Neighbor Project for their newest initiative to decrease crimes of opportunity and enhance public safety. The #9PMRoutine initiative reminds us all to close garage doors, turn on exterior lights … [read more]

November 21, 2018 6:11 AM

After the turkey and pumpkin pie are nothing but crumbs left in a pan, many people turn to the internet to pass the time. As your fingers are flying and you find that one gift that you just must have, and is on SALE, you decide you must have it! While you are going through the check out … [read more]

November 5, 2018 1:17 PM

In the month of October, the West District has experienced 52 burglary reports. Of those, 69% involved suspects gaining entry into the residence by the overhead garage door or the side door to the garage. 42% occurred while the homeowner was present. 38% involved suspects targeting … [read more]

October 17, 2018 1:35 PM

There will be two upcoming district safety meetings in the near future. Alder McKinney will be hosting the first meeting on Wed. Oct. 24 at 6:30pm at Our Redeemer Church at 1701 McKenna Blvd (across from WPD) Alder Skidmore will be hosting the other on Monday Nov. 5 at 6pm at Blackhawk … [read more]

October 11, 2018 10:54 AM

This week, I have received over half a dozen emails and phone calls from citizens who are upset and frustrated by the auto thefts, burgaries and theft from autos going on. I have heard, "I don't feel safe, my kids aren't safe, what is MPD doing about it?" I just want you all to know, we share … [read more]

October 5, 2018 9:32 AM

Last night around 11:35pm, a young woman was southbound on Whitney stopped at the red light at Schroeder. A vehicle pulled up behind her with the lights off and started shooting. The young lady's vehicle was struck but fortunately, she was not injured. It is believed that the suspect vehicle … [read more]

September 20, 2018 11:43 AM

I just read 2 separate reports in the west district of someone calling from a number that comes back to the Dane County Sheriff's Dept who is claiming to be a deputy. This person tells the homeowner that they are from civil process and they are wanted on a warrant. A request is then made for … [read more]

September 12, 2018 6:35 AM

In follow up to the blog on vehicle report cards, I decided to see for myself how many cars out there, were ripe for a theft from auto. I was out at 3am this morning filling out the vehicle report cards that were discussed in my recent West blog. I found that the majority of the vehicles … [read more]

September 5, 2018 9:37 AM

You may wake up some morning and find this piece of paper on your car windshield. It is just another tool our officers are using to help citizens become aware of things they can do to help reduce the chances of becoming a victim. Primarily our night officers have been checking cars in … [read more]

September 5, 2018 9:02 AM

I am reading another case on the west side where someone left an unlocked vehicle in their driveway and in the middle of the night, someone entered the vehicle and opened the garage door with the opener from the unlocked vehicle. They then went inside the home and stole things while the … [read more]

August 30, 2018 11:00 AM

While reviewing reports this morning, I have now read 6 different overdose reports just in the West District from the past few days. There appears to be a bad batch of heroin that has increased our OD's citywide over the past several days. If you have a friend, loved one or family member who … [read more]

August 8, 2018 8:21 AM

The MPD is happy to announce a new program to partner with our community in solving crime. There is now a camera registration portal on our website that allows homeowners and businesses to register their surveillance cameras with us. This then allows MPD to check a location where a crime was … [read more]

August 7, 2018 10:42 AM

Our stolen car stats are up 67% for the month. Burglaries have also increase 51% for the month city wide, compared to 2017. Please lock it or you will lose it! #nightlylockup Report any and all suspicious activity! [read more]

July 23, 2018 2:35 PM

Last night there was another incident on the far west side, where homeowners left their garage door open and in the morning, they found found both of their cars stolen out of their now empty garage. Do you really want to be the one begging a co-worker to give you a ride to work? Lock it or … [read more]

July 18, 2018 9:39 AM

We are seeing a disturbing trend in the Nakoma neighborhood where suspects are entering unlocked vehicles in driveways, using the garage door opener to open the garage. Tthey then enter the homes at night through unlocked doors leading into the home while the residents are sleeping and steal … [read more]

July 5, 2018 11:55 AM

Stolen autos are one of biggest problems right now. We have had 201 stolen autos already this year. Last year at this time we had 169 so we are up 18.9% over last year which was a record year. We had 42 autos stolen in June alone. These vehicles are being used by criminals to committ other … [read more]

July 3, 2018 9:19 AM

While reading reports, I saw another disturbing trend. We had 2 guns with ammunition, stolen out of two different unlocked vehicles in the West District. These are two more guns that are now in criminal hands that did not need to be there. One of them was a Draco AK-47 pistol (Photo below of … [read more]

June 28, 2018 8:45 AM

As I was reading reports this morning, I have seen 3 separate cases of credit card fraud. In each of these cases, the vicitm only realized their cards were being used because they reviewed their credit card statements. if you are one of those people who trust that there is no reason to … [read more]

June 18, 2018 1:23 PM

As of June 17, we had 97 shots fired incidents city wide. This is an increase of 14.1% over last year. This morning there was another burglary where an unlocked vehicle sitting in a driveway was entered and the garage door opener was used to open the garage door to the home. The suspects … [read more]

June 11, 2018 10:38 PM

We are experiencing a rash of burglaries and stolen autos again. The burglars are entering unlocked cars in driveways and taking the garage door openers. They then open the garage doors and enter the homes through unlocked doors leading into the home from the garage. Sometimes they steal … [read more]

May 7, 2018 1:19 PM

Just a reminder for you Craigslisters or other on-line shoppers. Instead of meeting people in your homes when selling something, feel free to offer to meet in the parking lot of the West District. I can't imagine anyone with suspcious motives, agreeing to meet you at a police station! [read more]

April 9, 2018 2:14 PM

With the return of winter weather, so followed the return of auto thieves. We had 3 vehicles stolen over the weekend just in the west district. Each of these vehicles were recovered. There was also a gun stolen out of a 4th vehicle. Just a reminder, please don't leave valuables in your … [read more]

March 22, 2018 9:04 AM

Yesterday afternoon and evening there were a couple of different series of shots fired calls. One was around 3:5oPM near the 5800 block of Dorsett Dr. The other was around 9:20pm near the 5800 block of Russett Rd. At this time, we do not know if these incidents are connected. We have made … [read more]

February 1, 2018 11:22 AM

Our stolen auto statistics for January of 2018 are quite eye opening. We had 57 stolen autos in the city which is a 72% increase over Jan of 2017. Of those, 94% had the keys in the car and 71% were unlocked and running. As I am am writing this, another 3 cars were just stolen this morning … [read more]

January 18, 2018 8:07 AM

Stolen autos remain a problem for us. From the Monday shift notes; One recovered stolen auto on the south side with an arrest One recovered stolen auto in Fitchburg that was stolen in Madison One recovered stolen auto in Mount Horeb that was stolen in Madison One auto … [read more]

January 5, 2018 9:25 AM

Many of you know we tried a social media campaign over the holidays to remind people to lock up their cars. It was on Twitter under #Nightlylockup and we had some billboards throughout the county as well. Off. Tyler Grigg coordinated much of it. As a result, we did experience an increase in … [read more]

December 27, 2017 11:42 AM

We have recently had at least 3 incidents of purse snatchings on the west side. These have been occurring in business parking lots with female victims. Ideas to prevent purse thefts are as follows: Leave your purse at home, carry cash or credit cards in your pocket (they can't steal … [read more]

December 19, 2017 1:22 PM

Recently, a local school dropped of notes of encouragement and crayon pictures of our police officers. It was very much appreciated by our officers! Thanks to all the kids (and teachers) for taking the time to do that!! [read more]

December 15, 2017 11:47 AM

At least a dozen cars had their windows shattered (probably in a drive-by with BB guns or similar) in the Meadowood Dr, Monticello Wy, Leland Rd, Thrush Ln areas overnight between 8pm on 12-14-17 and 6am on 12-15-17. We have extra patrols in the area but we need your help! Please be on the … [read more]

November 29, 2017 9:53 AM

Don't let the snow lead to a ticket or a tow. Here are few things you need to know to AVOID a ticket or a tow: Alternate Side Parking is in effect city-wide with the exception of the Snow Emergency Zone (unless there is a Declared Snow Emergency). Alternate Side Parking is in effect from … [read more]

November 27, 2017 11:49 AM

Tis the season for thankfulness, celebration and SCAMS. There are a number of scams going on around Madison, one being the Grandparent scam. This is where are called and a person claiming to be a police officer says the grandchild was arrested and they need bail money to get out. The victim … [read more]

November 21, 2017 10:08 AM

This year so far, we have had 362 cars stolen in the city. Many of these are stolen by juveniles and are later recovered, but usually the cars have been damaged or involved in accidents. Many of these kids then endager themselves and the public as they speed and drive recklessly in the stolen … [read more]

November 16, 2017 7:36 AM

We started a new social media campaign yesterday on trying to prevent theft from auto. The City of Madison has experienced over 1100 Thefts from Auto so far this year. There have been 26 guns stolen out of autos this year There were 41 guns stolen out of cars in 2016 Since 2016 there are … [read more]

April 26, 2017 3:02 PM

Today several of us in the West District took part in a meeting at the West Middleton Elementary School. I was surprised to hear that about 144 elementary age children who live in Morraine View area attend the West Middleton School. We decided to meet with reps from Joining Forces for … [read more]

January 20, 2017 10:15 AM

The Burglary Crime Unit, (BCU) is responsible for investigating both commercial and residential burglaries throughout the city. The unit consists of 4 Detectives, 1 Intelligence Officer, 1 Pawn Program Assistant and 1 Detective Sergeant. Due to a long term illness, the unit had to work 1 person … [read more]

June 29, 2016 4:55 PM

MPD is seeing an increase in theft from auto incidents in the West District this summer. Some simple steps can reduce your chances of being victimized: Keep your vehicle locked with the windows rolled up, even if parked in your driveway. Do not keep valuables in your vehicle. To the … [read more]

June 13, 2016 1:11 PM

Here are some tips/reminders from the City's Information Technology department about summer travel and internet use: Avoid publicly posting details of where and when you’ll be traveling. When you reveal these specifics, you are providing information that could be used by criminals to target … [read more]

September 17, 2015 3:45 PM

Property owners play an important role in our community. Landlords who engage in irresponsible property management can have an adverse impact on a neighborhood. MPD regularly works with property owners to cooperatively address issues that impact quality of life for our citizens. One strategy … [read more]

August 6, 2015 11:16 AM

Thanks to everyone who stopped out at Elver Park on Tuesday night for MPD's National Night Out event: [read more]

July 23, 2015 1:11 PM

MPD's West District will host this year's National Night Out event. This year's National Night Out is August 4, and the event will be at Elver Park (1250 McKenna Blvd.). MPD's Mounted Patrol and K9 unit will be present, as well as MPD squad cars and specialized vehicles. There will also be … [read more]

April 20, 2015 9:22 AM

West District officers Tom Grosse and Scott Favour put together this short video with some helpful burglary prevention tips: https://youtu.be/vs87TRlxtYQ [read more]

September 8, 2014 11:08 AM

Residential burglaries have been one of the main issues that West District personnel have been working to address this year.  Earlier in the year, our residential burglary numbers in the West District were up (compared to 2013), particularly in a focused geographic area (along the Raymond Road … [read more]

March 14, 2014 9:56 AM

There has been an increase in residential burglaries in the West District over the last few weeks.  District personnel are investigating these incidents, and will employ a variety of strategies to address this trend.  Citizens can help us by taking some simple preventative steps: Keep … [read more]

December 13, 2013 1:39 PM

Unfortunately, the holiday shopping season also means an increase in the number of retail thefts that MPD officers respond to.  Some of these incidents involve sophisticated schemes, involving multiple people and stores.  Losses for businesses can run into the tens of thousands of … [read more]

November 7, 2013 2:40 PM

Residential burglaries continue to be an area of concern in the West District.  Taking some simple steps can help prevent you from becoming a victim: Keep your doors and windows locked, even while at home. Keep your garage door closed, and lock any door from the garage to the … [read more]

October 14, 2013 1:30 PM

Unfortunately, thefts from vehicles continue to be an all-too frequent offense., In fact, more than 300 thefts from motor vehicles have been reported in the West District so far this year., These incidents are very difficult to investigate after the fact, so doing what you can to avoid being a … [read more]

April 1, 2013 9:59 AM

A number of West District citizens have been the victims of financial scams in recent weeks. These scams can take several forms: A stranger calls and notifies the citizen that he/she has won a large prize (cash, a car, etc.), but that they need to send in a fee to collect their prize. … [read more]

September 1, 2012 8:21 AM

As the hot summer winds down, the West District has been active. The last few weeks have seen a number of weapons offenses in the district, particularly in the Theresa/Bettys and Balsam/Russett neighborhoods. West District personnel continue to investigate these individual incidents, and … [read more]

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