By Anita Weier
The depth of concern about public safety on the Northside was demonstrated by the large number of participants in a virtual public meeting conducted by 12th District Alder Syed Abbas in late August.
The meeting featured North District Police Captain Brian Ackeret and other city officials. Issues of the most concern were gun violence, speeding and how to slow traffic.
Ackeret said he shares their concern about increased gun violence and “an outstanding Violent Crimes Unit” has been working on the issue, but the volume of incidents has been very high — an increase of 89% from the same time period last year. Moreover, North District officers have been drawn away to deal with demonstrations downtown.
Most gun incidents are drug related or retaliation, Ackeret said. Shooting from vehicles is the most common method, and it is happening all times of day, not just at night.
Reckless driving is also a huge problem. More officers have been dealing with traffic enforcement on East Washington Avenue.
“Our staffing is normal other than attrition,” Ackeret said. “However, city departments have been asked to reduce their next proposed budget by 5%, which would cut community outreach and traffic enforcement.”
There are currently four-to-six patrol officers for the entire North District, depending on the time of day. The district stretches all the way to the American Parkway area and goes to East Washington and the Cherokee Marsh, a total of 15.9 square miles. Sixty officers work out of the cramped North District headquarters.
Ackeret recommended several safety tips:
Always lock your cars, he advised. Thieves often use the garage door opener in an unlocked car to open garages and then enter the house through the garage to obtain keys left near the door. Stolen cars are often used for shootings. “Even if I mow my lawn, I shut my garage door,” said Ackeret.
Keep your house locked even if you are home.
If you hear shots fired, go to an interior room if you are inside or get down if you are outdoors. If you are in your car, turn away from the shooting area.
Elissa Gonda expressed concern about offenders being released and then committing other offences. “We can’t arrest our way out of gun violence,” Ackeret stressed. “I support social service programs but not defunding police.”
In response to complaints about drug houses, Ackeret said police are working to resolve a situation on Coolidge Street, but it takes time.
Tom Mohr, of the Madison Traffic Engineering Department, said funds from a nationwide program are being used to reduce speed limits. Reducing speed on East Washington Avenue and elsewhere can reduce fatalities or the severity of injuries, he said. Lanes are also being reduced in some areas. Traffic calming efforts include traffic circles, pedestrian islands and speed humps.
Resident Kitty Bonde said she is worried about drivers chasing each other at North Street and Commercial Avenue, which she said is “really dangerous.”