The Tragic Death of Corey Ruiz

Hi Everyone,

It goes without saying that this past week has been incredibly painful. I was out of town for business but kept in touch with the Mayor and fellow Council members.  Last night I went down to the memorial site to observe.

Here's my takeaway -- two things can be true at once.

First, the circumstances around Corey Ruiz's death are deeply disturbing. There's a tremendous amount of pain and grief in watching a 13-year old girl lament the death of her father.  The state is handling the investigation and it will be some time, perhaps as long as a year, before it is concluded. It's hard to ask for patience in moments like this, but it's nonetheless necessary. 

Second, I'm concerned the protests, which have taken over a couple of blocks on Willy St, may devolve into something counter-productive. Already, we're receiving disturbing reports of local residents as well as patrons and employees of the impacted businesses being harassed. I'm hopeful those leading the protests are aware their concerns for justice and accountability are shared by many in the city. However, if the protest site becomes something of a homeless encampment making demands that cannot be met, this will undoubtedly be a distraction from the hard (and frustratingly slow) work of effecting the necessary changes to our policies. 

I have additional thoughts about the Office of the Independent Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board as it pertains to the tension that exists between these two entities and city staff, the Mayor's office, and Common Council, but for now please refer to today's statement from Council President Sabrina Madison.

The lack of Body-Worn Cameras is also much in the news. It's important to note the trajectory of debate around these devices. At first, police everywhere generally were opposed to BWCs while the public demanded them. At a certain point, the debate flipped - police departments wanted them and the activist community resisted them, claiming the devices would be broadly misused to over-police marginalized communities and surveil undocumented immigrants. That resistance continues to this day in Madison.

In 2023,  I was successful in bringing about a compromise to implement a 90-day pilot of BWCs on the north side that was completed in 2024. Today, the challenge is not in the cost of the cameras, but in the estimated costs of $3-$6 million annually, due in part to additional staff needed to deal with the camera footage. I'm pleased we're making progress on this front, with a plan to purchase the cameras next year and then phase in their operation as the budget permits. 

In the meantime, the Office of the Independent Monitor will be conducting its own investigation, analyzing the videos taken from various sources. I share in the call for complete transparency and cooperation from MPD. 

I will have more to share as the days go on, but I want to acknowledge the important role being played by Madison's faith community, particularly Pastors Everett Mitchell and Marcus Allen. Below is a message Pastor Mitchell shared with his congregation. No matter your faith perspective, there's something here for everyone:

How We Will Respond as a Church

First, we will pray. Pray for the family of Corey Ruiz, who are grieving a son and a brother. Pray also for the officers involved and for their families, who are carrying their own weight in this. Pray for the investigators, that the process now underway will be thorough, honest, and unafraid of wherever the truth leads. Pray for the leaders of this city, that they would act with wisdom and courage rather than defensiveness.

Second, we will stay present to one another. If this news has stirred up grief, fear, or anger in you, you do not have to carry that alone....

Third, for those who feel led to be present in the public conversation happening in our city this week....I encourage you to go in the spirit of Micah 6:8 — seeking justice, extending mercy, and walking humbly, even in a room that may be tense.

I want to close by reminding you of something I believe with my whole heart: our hope does not rest in any police department, any investigation, or any press conference. Our hope rests in a God who sees what happens on Williamson Street, who has not looked away, and who calls us to the same. We grieve as people who believe in resurrection, not as people who have no hope.

I am available if you wish to discuss or just need to share what's on your heart. As always, I can be reached at district13@cityofmadison.com or 608.424.2580.

Take care and stay safe,

Tag