Chief Koval's Blog

When city ordinance 12.325 (Entering or Staying Upon Highways Restricted) became effective on April 10th of this year, various conditions were put in place allowing for notice, education, outreach, and compliance.  Additionally, MPD was instructed to work with the City Attorney's Office in producing a report after six months.

By way of a brief summary, MPD Officers contacted those observed in violation of the ordinance (as detailed in those highways covered), and used a grace period to educate and warn.  A pamphlet that had been vetted by the City Attorney's Office was disseminated to those individuals who were found to be in violation of the ordinance.  Additionally, a list of community resources was made available to everyone.   As will be evidenced in the table below, the safety concerns about those hanging out on or about the busy medians were largely addressed and the incidents have dropped considerably.  

During the first six months the ordinance was in effect, eight persons were issued a total of 27 citations for violation of MGO Sec. 12.325.   One individual has been cited 15 times.  Four of those cited listed no permanent address on at least one of the occasions they were cited. The demographic information for those cited is listed below.

From 5:30 a.m. on 11/02/2017 through 5:30 a.m. on 11/03/2017, MPD received 448 calls for service.  This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. 

1) EAST: Assist Police – 6:51 a.m.  Officers responded to a motel on East Towne Blvd in an attempt to locate a suspect for another law enforcement agency on domestic violence related charges.  The suspect (32 year old WM) was contacted and taken into custody without incident. The suspect was turned over to the other law enforcement agency. 

2) EAST: Crash with Injuries – 7:05 a.m.  Officers responded to the area of Milwaukee St/Leon St for a report of a multiple vehicle crash with injuries.  Three vehicles involved, all heavily damaged.  Driver/suspect (25 year old WF) was cited for inattentive driving as she explained she was tired and closed her eyes briefly before the crash occurred.  All driver/occupants transported to local hospitals for minor injuries.  Milwaukee Street closed in both directions for approximately one hour until the scene was cleared. 

3) SOUTH: Adult Arrested Person – 7:37 a.m.  Officers responded to La Salle Street for a report of a wanted subject on scene as well as a stolen vehicle.  The wanted individual (37 year old WM) was contacted and taken into custody after warrants were confirmed to be active.  The suspect (50 year old WM), identified in regards to the stolen auto, was identified but not on scene.  Investigation continuing. 

4) WEST: Check Person – 12:29 p.m.  Officers responded to High Point Road to check the welfare of a suicidal subject (43 year old WM).  The subject threatened to set his ex-girlfriend on fire.  Officers arrived on scene and located the subject holding a gas can.  The subject doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire, after ignoring officers' commands.  The flames were extinguished by the subject himself who then tried to hurt himself by running into traffic.  Officers were able to catch up to the subject and take him into protective custody.  The subject was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation/treatment.  Investigation continuing. 

5) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 1:41 p.m.  Officers responded to Cottage Grove Road for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (22 year old AAF victim and 26 year old AAF suspect).  A verbal argument turned into a physical altercation where items were thrown, property was damaged and the victim was cut with a piece of glass.  The suspect was arrested for domestic battery, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.  The investigation revealed a loaded handgun in the residence.  The bag where the handgun was located was said to belong to the brother of the victim.  The brother/suspect (15 year old AAM) explained that he was holding onto the gun for a friend.  He was ultimately arrested for reckless endangering safety and possession of a dangerous weapon under the age of 18.       

6) NORTH: Disturbance – 2:09 p.m.  Officers responded to Straubel Court for a disturbance that could be heard in a residence.  Officers arrived and heard a physical/verbal disturbance.  A subject answered the door and a male subject jumped off the balcony while a female subject locked herself in another room.  A disturbance was heard coming from within this room necessitating an officer entry.  The suspect (24 year old AAF) was placed under arrest after a brief struggle and was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting.  No individuals on scene were cooperative.  The male subject who fled was located and contacted.  It should be noted that a young child was in the home at the time of the disturbance.  Child Protective Services notified.

7) EAST: Check Person – 2:48 p.m.  Officers were dispatched along with MFD to the 800 block of N. Thompson Drive reference a suicidal subject (26 year old WM) who had cut himself.  It was discovered that the subject had just been released from the hospital and police/EMS services were not needed (investigation reflected that the caller was the subject's mother and she reported that the cutting actually took place several days ago, not recently). 

8) SOUTH: Information – 4:52 p.m.  Officers responded to a south side location regarding a threats complaint where a suspect (17 year old WM) made comments about "someone is going to get killed" and made a gun motion with his hand to a friend.  The suspect was contacted.  Investigation continuing.      

9) SOUTH: Disturbance – 10:03 p.m.  Officers responded to Harvest Circle for a domestic disturbance between two subjects (24 year old AAF victim and 30 year old WM suspect).  The suspect grabbed the 3 month old baby at the residence to use the baby as a shield to keep the female victim away from him during a verbal/physical altercation.  The suspect was combative when officers contacted him.  The victim and baby were transported to a local hospital for an evaluation.  The suspect was eventually taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting.  The suspect required a medical clearance before going to jail as he had a high blood alcohol content and cocaine in his system.  Investigation continuing.       

10) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 12:35 a.m.  Officers responded to a business on N. Henry Street where a suspect (24 year old WM) caused a disturbance.  The suspect was asked to leave due to his behavior and he responded by throwing a glass which hit an individual.  The suspect was escorted outside by staff and the suspect hits one of the staff members in the face.  The suspect was taken into custody but was combative with officers.  The suspect was charged with disorderly conduct, battery and resisting. 

11) NORTH: Disturbance – 1:41 a.m.  Officers responded to the area of Brentwood Parkway/Trailsway where a tow truck driver was assaulted after attempting to tow a vehicle.  Two suspects (29 year old AAF and 27 year old AAM) were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and battery.       

12) CENTRAL: OMVWI Arrest/Intoxicated Driver – 2:00 a.m. A suspect (23 year old WM) on a motorcycle ran a red light and was struck by a vehicle.  The suspect fled.  Officers located the driver near Dayton and Charter.  The suspect denied being the driver even though he was wearing a helmet.  The suspect was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (4th offense), bail jumping, multiple traffic citations and a probation hold.