MPD’s Special Events Team (SET) met with the Central district’s Community Policing Advisory Board members ahead of Mifflin Street Block Party (and the upcoming Republican National Convention) to discuss the history, philosophy, and goals behind SET and its Community Dialogue Team.

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.

The Madison Police Department's South District and their Community Policing Advisory Board had so much fun with Park Cedar Apartment residents Friday night. They played games (including Black History Month bingo - thank you, Will Glenn Sr.!) sang karaoke, shared dinner from Melly Mell's Soul Food, and reinforced relationships that will carry into the future as we work together in support of community safety for all.

On February 6, the Central district held its first monthly “Chat with a Cop” public meeting at the Central branch of the Madison Public Library. On the agenda: An introduction to the Community Policing Advisory Board and the Department of Justice Grant funding the work as well as a primer on the Central district, including organization and staffing and types of calls for service.

The West District's Community Policing Advisory Board began collaborating with West CORE Officer Scott Beckfield, who recently started working weekly with youth at the newly opened Uno Terrace Apartments, an affordable housing complex on Mineral Point Rd., with the intention of building relationships and trust with families and children who live there. Advisors are joining on the days they are available to get to know the families as well, and help facilitate relationship-building between community members and police.

Madison Police Department's North District Community Policing Advisory Board Members, along with Midtown Advisor Mohammad Din Hajizada, hosted a Northside Madison dinner for immigrants and refugees (as well as community members) in partnership with Public Health Madison & Dane County and the African Center for Community Development, Inc. Advisors and Madison Police Department's new Northside District Captain Jamar Gary felt honored to meet and talk with residents about community safety issues.

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.

On November 14 Madison Police Department's Central District Community Policing Advisory Board and Captain Michael Hanson met at the Beacon daytime resource center for those experiencing homelessness in Madison and Dane County.

The November 4 "Brunch for Peace," organized by our West MPD District's Community Policing Advisory Board at Tree Lane Apartments, brought together residents, the Madison Police Department, numerous community organizations, and several key community leaders for a morning of relationship building and conversation.

Madison Police Department's South District Captain Harrison Zanders and our South District Community Policing Advisory Board joined Public Health Madison & Dane County and building management for a listening session at Park Cedar Apartments to discuss with residents how we can come together proactively as a community, working together in support of resident and neighborhood safety.

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.

A Midtown Advisor, through his refugee resettlement and immigration work with Jewish Social Services, invites fellow Midtown Advisors to meet, eat, and talk with recent immigrants and refugees at the First Responders Picnic at Christ Presbyterian Church, along with Jewish Social Services, MPD, and other area first responders.

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!