Two Madison Police Department districts, one shared goal: making the season a little easier and brighter for local families.

On the North Side, officers and Community Policing Advisory Board member "Eve the Elf" spent time with kids and families at Lake View Elementary School shopping and wrapping gifts, with generous support from Toys for Tots.

On the South Side, the Madison Public Library hosted a toy giveaway where officers and CPAB member/Teen Librarian Will helped families choose gifts for kids, siblings, and grandkids. Thank you to Blain's Farm & Fleet and the Empty Stocking Club for making it possible.

A few hours, a lot of care, and moments that mattered.

A spaghetti dinner, a pickup game of football, and a lot of neighbors crossing paths and connecting. Thanks to Mentoring Positives, Inc., Project Babies, and Madison Police Department's East District for hosting an evening that turned a familiar space into a shared table.

Chilly Monday morning? Perfect excuse for lattes, laughs, hugs, and great conversation at Rasta Barista . Got to hang out with neighbors, Madison Police Department South District Captain Harrison Zanders, South District officers, and members of his Community Policing Advisory Board.

The kind of lingering that only happens when the coffee and the company are both awesome.

Yep, there were group photos. More than one. Coffee With a Cop was a wonderful way to kick off the day and spread some peace and holiday cheer!

When it’s 2 degrees outside, you bring the holiday cheer inside.

Huge thanks to the Elvehjem Neighborhood Association for organizing and hosting tonight’s Holiday in the Park—quickly and wisely relocated indoors—and to Twisted Grounds for opening their doors and making room for a wonderfully cozy night on Madison’s East Side.

Families braved the cold to gather with neighbors, enjoy cocoa, coffee, and an impressively stocked s’mores spread, and say hello to Santa himself . It was warm, intimate, and exactly the kind of community moment winter calls for.

The season of giving is here, and the Madison Police Department/MCPF family kicked it off with a favorite tradition: sharing Thanksgiving meal kits with neighbors who could use a little extra support. 🥧 🧡 With groceries gathered early at Metcalfe's Market, officers and volunteers – including West district and East district Community Policing Advisory Board members – packed up turkeys and holiday staples and set out across the city to deliver some seasonal cheer. ☺️

Big news worth cheering about! 🎉 MPD South District CPAB member Shar-Ron Buie was honored by MOSES on Saturday at their 2025 Transformation Celebration gala for his inspiring leadership and transformation. His story is one of grit, purpose, and community impact.

Smiles, hugs, and plenty of candy filled the afternoon at Trunk or Treat in the Bayview neighborhood! Kids came together with Madison Police Department's Midtown district and Community Policing Advisory Board to celebrate Halloween in a fun, safe, and festive way — and we loved being part of it! 🎃🍬🍫

Despite the chilly drizzle, Midtown’s Trunk or Treat at Marlborough Park on October 25 brought all the cozy fall vibes! 🎃🍂

Families gathered under the park shelter for chili, kringle, and pumpkin-carving fun, while kids made the rounds for candy at Halloween-themed squad cars. Officers, neighbors, and our Community Policing Advisory Board members Steve and Chris all bundled up to help make the afternoon welcoming and memorable.

Huge thanks to everyone who came out and helped create a little October magic in the neighborhood! 👻✨

What a spooktacular Monday evening near Penn Park! Kids from the neighborhood came dressed to impress — superheroes, ghosts, and ghouls galore — and went home with plenty of treats thanks to Madison Police Department South District officers, Captain Harrison Zanders, Chief John Patterson, Advisors from the South District’s Community Policing Advisory Board, and 1 Pyramid at a Time. 🎃👻

It was a frightfully fun way to celebrate Halloween and connect with our community! Happy Halloween from all of us at the Madison Community Policing Foundation! 🕸️

🥕🍏 A little gray in the sky couldn’t dull the color and warmth at today’s fresh produce giveaway in Madison’s South District!

Neighbors stopped by to pick out crisp apples, acorn squash, carrots, and more — courtesy of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin in partnership with SSM Health.

Members of Madison Police Department South District and the South Community Policing Advisory Board were on hand to lend a hand and share smiles. During the event, officers even helped a community member rehome their dog — another example of neighbors helping neighbors in action. 💚

It’s always great to see our community come together to support one another — no matter the weather!

What an inspiring day for community policing in Madison!

MCPF board members and CPAB members were honored to celebrate the swearing-in of John Patterson as Madison's new Chief of Police in the Black Business Hub on S. Park St.

Chief Patterson has long believed in the power of partnership between police and community — in fact, he pioneered the CPAB model in 2017 while serving as South District Captain. It was only fitting that he returned to this community to take his oath as Chief.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Officers, Commanders, and Community Policing Advisory Board members (D'Neece, Will, and Mary) from Madison Police Department's South district joined with neighbors at El Pollo Rumbero on Thursday in celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth.

We are so lucky for our Hispanic and Latino residents, families, businesses, nonprofits, and first responders who bring such rich and varied history, culture, contributions, and vibrancy to our southside neighborhoods in the City of Madison, Wisconsin.

Neighborhood Officer Mitchell Favor, MCPF Board Member (and MPD's first African American female officer) Pia Kinney-James, Community Policing Advisory Board Member D’Neece Hettrick, and the Madison Police Department South District joined with neighbors over the weekend to elevate and celebrate Black voices in recovery — stories of resilience, healing, and service.

The Black Community Recovery Rally was hosted by the African American Opioid Coalition Dane County, A Safe Communities Project. "It was AWESOME!," said Hettrick, who has personal connections to community members who have thankfully recovered from addiction. "I did not want to leave."

Madison Police Department’s Midtown District and their Community Policing Advisory Board joined the Summit Woods Enrichment Committee and others in hosting a picnic at Zook Park in mid-August. It was the perfect day to connect with neighbors, strengthen relationships, and commemorate a safe and enjoyable summer season.

Community Policing Advisory Board members and MCPF board members had so much fun at #NationalNightOut with community members and friends from Madison Police Department, Amigos En Azul, Black Officer Coalition, and lots of other area first responders keeping our communities safe and strong!

The Madison Police Department's South District and their Community Policing Advisory Board enjoyed meeting neighbors at the 11th Annual Unity Picnic on July 26 at the Urban League’s Black Business Hub on South Park St.). This family-friendly event with:

• Delicious Food & Refreshments

• Kids’ Corner with Fun Activities

• Live Music & Entertainment

• Community Resources

• And Much More!

Madison Police Department’s South District and their Community Policing Advisory Board joined Moms Demand Action - WI, Safe Communities, and Public Health Madison & Dane County in serving free food and offering gun safety resources to community members on the south side at the Labor Temple on South Park St.

Thanks to all the Dane County Farmers' Market attendees who stopped by to chat with us today! You came for Radiant Smiles Face Painting and balloon twisting and stayed for the conversation – just as we had hoped !

Madison Police Department Officers James Dower and Sydney Davila and the Central district's Community Policing Advisory Board (Jing, CeCe, CC, Paul, and Andrew) enjoyed hearing your experiences, questions, and ideas.

We celebrated freedom, culture, and Black resilience at Madison’s 23rd annual Juneteenth Parade to Penn Park, where Madison Police Department's South district officers and Community Policing Advisory Board members served up hot dogs with a heaping side of smiles and neighborly love.

Thanks to Advisors D'Neece and Will (repping Madison Public Library) for showing up for your community like you always do.

💙

It was the perfect day for Kona Ice 🍧, helmet fittings/giveaways (thanks, Safe Kids Wisconsin!), and practicing safe biking on the second day of summer break for students ☀️😎 -- until it wasn't ☔️⛈️😭. Silver lining? Young cyclists in two out of three neighborhoods in Madison Police Department's West district kicked off the summer in safety and style, with shaved ice in hand, precious protected noggins, and pumped up bike tires and hearts, as positive relationships among kiddos, officers, and CPAB Advisors were reinforced and celebrated. 💙