Triangle Community Ministry and residents of the Brittingham Apartments gathered today for their annual picnic — and we were happy to be there in support. Sunshine, a breeze off the bay keeping things comfortable, and the sounds of Madison New Horizons Band filling the air with the kinds of songs you know all the words to even if you don't know why.

The spread was everything a summer picnic should be, with plenty of good company. Even a pair of sandhill cranes couldn't resist — they wandered over to check out the spread and ended up staying for the music. Can't blame them.

Triangle Community Ministry volunteers turned out in force, and our Community Policing Advisory Board members showed up ready to serve: Johnny V. and and Kim and Patty Richman from East, Mrunalini K. from West, Will G. from South, and Elana L. and Steve Hoffenberg from Midtown.

Triangle Community Ministry and residents of the Brittingham Apartments gathered today for their annual picnic — and we were happy to be there in support.

Triangle Community Ministry volunteers turned out in force, and our Community Policing Advisory Board members showed up ready to serve: Johnny V. and and Kim and Patty Richman from East, Mrunalini K. from West, Will G. from South, and Elana L. and Steve Hoffenberg from Midtown.

Last night's Madison Police Department Midtown District Town Hall brought a great mix of residents, city alders, and MPD staff. Community members came ready to talk about real concerns: pedestrian and cyclist crosswalk safety , fireworks, mental health, and more.

Thanks to Midtown District leadership, officers, the CORE team, and Community Policing Advisors Elana Lagrone, Steve Hoffenberg, Kim Richman, and others for making the evening possible and keeping the dialogue going.

Huge thanks to our MPCF Community Policing Advisory Board members who came out from across the city today to support Safe Communities and the African American Health Network of Dane County during their Drug Take Back Day!

Advisors helped collect unused medications at three sites throughout Madison — making it easy for folks to drive up and safely dispose of what they no longer need. Gun locks, Narcan, medicine lock boxes, and fentanyl test strips were also available to anyone who stopped by.

Missed it? No worries — safe medication disposal is available year-round. Visit safecommunities.org for MedDrop locations near you.

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 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.

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!

Strong. Smart. Tenacious. These three incredible women who serve as Advisors on Community Policing Advisory Boards with the Madison Police Department recently celebrated remarkable achievements. Please join us in congratulating them!

This weekend we are remembering victims of gun violence, honoring survivors, and supporting prevention efforts. Dane County loses someone to gun violence every 10 days. In Madison, a gun was fired 52 times this year, intentionally or unintentionally. It doesn't always happen in the streets, but also in our homes, as Madison Police Department Acting Chief John Patterson reminds us. It happens in the context of domestic violence and quietly in the form of suicide. We're grateful to so many community partners for their work to interrupt the cycle of gun violence and build long-term community resilience.

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! ❤️

Look who made the Nice List! 🎅🏽 Santa made a special visit on Monday to the Heights on University Ave., where kids and officers from the Madison Police Department’s Midtown district decorated cookies together and shared in holiday cheer. Thank you to Santa's helpers (Midtown's Community Policing Advisory Board) for organizing such a fun holiday party! 🎉🎁🥳

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.

Lt. James Imoehl attended Midtown’s June CPAB meeting to deliver an informative and interesting presentation on Madison Police Department's Special Events Team (SET), including its history, goals, philosophy, and specialty units (bike, field extraction, grenadier, logistics, and medics).

Advisors asked great questions and had fun trying on the protective gear worn by SET members when responding to community events such as protests and demonstrations.

Day two of the much-anticipated ceramics class, taught by MPD’s Midtown Community Policing Advisory Board member Kahlia Lintner and supported by her fellow Advisors and MPD Officers, finally arrived on Monday! Everyone enjoyed expressing their creativity through colorful underglazing and decorating of their own creations from the first class, now fired and dried for painting.

Youth and adults alike completed surveys for the second time about their feelings related to safety in Madison and their perceptions of the Madison Police Department. This is an important tool for our data gathering as we analyze the impact of this grant-funded work throughout the year and beyond.

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.

Budding young artists and residents of The Heights in MPD's Midtown district learned how to make clay pinch pots on Monday in a fun-filled (and joyously messy) afternoon with MPD Officers and staff and Midtown's Community Policing Advisory Board members.

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.

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.