Tonight was bittersweet as Darbo-Worthington neighbors celebrated community over plates of yummy salad and spaghetti (thank you, Mentoring Positives, Inc.!), just one week before The Salvation Army of Dane County's Darbo Dr. Community Center program will end due to financial challenges. The Center has been an invaluable asset to the neighborhood in so many ways.

“This is what it looks like when it’s Done Right,” is what East district Captain Ed Marshall had to say about the February 25th Black History Month Celebration and Soul Food Dinner at the Meadowlands Apartments on Milwaukee St. He applauded the East District Neighborhood Team and the East CPAB for putting together “an excellent, well attended event. Looking around the room, I could see connections being made everywhere, and no one left hungry.” Neighborhood Resource Officer Laura Deloach added, “This was the best event Meadowlands has had!”

Wow! What a turnout we had last Thursday at our Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Blood Drive, held at Garver Feed Mill. From open to close, a steady stream of generous donors – including current officers, retired officers, family members, neighbors, friends, community partners, and walk-ins – supplied nearly 50 units of blood to the American Red Cross. Thank you! ❤️

It’s a holiday tradition MCPF looks forward to each year. 🦃 🥧 MCPF board members and volunteers, along with reps from the East Community Policing Advisory Board, the Madison Police Department, Monona Police Department, and Sun Prairie Police Department, met bright and early at Metcalfe's Market for grocery pickup, and then filled bags with frozen turkeys and other holiday favorites. Once assembled, officers hand-delivered more than 100 Thanksgiving meal kits to people in our community.

The wind and cold didn’t scare away these intrepid trick or treaters who stopped by The Salvation Army’s Trunk or Treat celebration. 🎃 👻 🍫🍬 New East District Community Policing Advisory Board members Flo (and daughter Skyler) and Kim kept spirits bright and goodie bags full, representing while MPD was called to support recent dignitary visits. 🇺🇸🛩🕵🏽

Madison Police Department’s East district Neighborhood Officer Laura Deloach, Captain Ed Marshall, and East CPAB Advisor Kathy Jackson adorned block party goers with colorful, ephemeral works of art at Operation Fresh Start’s (OFS) Community Resource Block Party on August 29th. 🦄 🦸🏾‍♀️ 🌈 🦾 ☁️ 🕸 🦋 This was made possible thanks to East CPAB Advisor and OFS Resource Specialist Grace Coleman, who conceived of and organized the event, co-hosted with Reach Dane.

This fun back-to-school event included a bouncy house, DJ, food trucks, representatives from the Darbo-Worthington Park neighborhood businesses and nonprofits, and community partners including Madison Public Libraries, The River Food Pantry, La Familia Dental, Bikes for Kids, and more.

Madison Police Department East district Captain Marshall and Community Policing Advisory Board member Howard Ross helped adorn attendees at The Salvation Army of Dane County’s backyard bash with temporary works of art. Thank you to former Advisor and Salvation Army staffer LaTrease Hibbler for inviting us to have a table at the event. Kids (and adults alike) got a kick out of their new “ink,” and some repeat customers couldn’t get enough! Who wouldn’t want a full sleeve featuring Batman, butterflies, Nick Fury, unicorns, Iron Man, rainbows, Optimus Prime, puffy clouds, Megatron, Spiderman, soccer balls, and moonbeams? 🦄 🦸🏾‍♀️ 🌈 🦾 ☁️ 🕸 🦋 This was the perfect opportunity for police and community members to bond over favorite characters, hobbies, artwork, colors, and more. ❤️

Madison Police Department staff and other community leaders hosted their very first Public Safety Summit on July 23 at the Warner Park Community Center, and several CPAB Advisors were in attendance.

The goal: to understand current safety trends in Madison and the strategies the community is using to prevent crime.

Panelists, including representatives from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Public Health Madison & Dane County, and Focused Interruption Coalition discussed opportunities for collaboration to enhance safety in Madison.

Neighbors meeting neighbors, shaking hands, exchanging contact info, sharing observations ... East district Community Policing Advisory Board members Amee and Kathy, along with Captain Ed Marshall, were grateful to all who stopped by to talk about community safety issues and their various experiences with the Madison Police Department. Thank you to the Capitol View Farmers' Market for making us a part of your event!

At the May 28 and 29 East and West districts’ CPAB meetings, Advisors heard presentations on the Madison Police Department’s Mental Health Unit (MHU). Discussed were the history of the MHU, training that police officers receive on mental health and how they respond to calls, individuals’ safety plans, and how MHOs and embedded crisis workers help prevent many would-be emergencies that patrol officers would otherwise need to respond to.

On May 22, 30 Community Policing Advisory Board members were awarded "Community Member Assistance" Citations by Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes for their work over the last 11 months helping to build trust and legitimacy between police and the community.

The East District Community Policing Advisory Board was so fortunate to celebrate Black History Month with families at the Harmony Apartments Friday night. Friendships were made, connections forged, and hearts and bellies were filled. We look forward to many more days and evenings together in 2024 and beyond as we strive to create lasting bonds between community and police in support of safer communities for all.

Madison Police Department's East District and North District CPABs met December 7 at the Goodman Community Center to collaborate with each other and with their district command staff and MCPF board members to solidify plans for a variety of community-building events they will be hosting in 2024.

Madison Police Department's East District Neighborhood Officer Neal Crowder (with the help of his spirited sidekick 😍) served up warm and hearty Thanksgiving meals at The Salvation Army of Dane County.

Thank you to The Salvation Army of Dane County for hosting a safe and fun-filled Halloween Trunk or Treat tonight for kids in the neighborhood! Our very own East District Community Policing Advisory Board Advisors joined the Madison Police Department to reward costumed kiddos braving the c-c-c-cold with hot cocoa and candy.❄️🎃👻🍭

On October 19, all six of Madison Police Department's Community Policing Advisory Boards met for the first time under the same roof. MPD Chief Shon Barnes outlined MPD's 5-year strategic plan, emphasizing the need for community partnerships. “We are taking our first step at becoming a national model for exceptional policing through this commitment to forming effective community partnerships,” Chief Barnes said.

National Night Out, held the first week in August throughout Madison and the U.S., is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. Several of our Community Policing Advisory Board members came out to meet and talk with residents about neighborhood safety, gathering ideas, feedback, and new friends!