In recognition of Black History Month, community members gathered Thursday evening in the Atrium at Public Health Madison & Dane County for a substantive and forward-looking dialogue on leadership, service, and perspective.

The Madison Police Department’s South District Community Policing Advisory Board convened a distinguished panel of Black law enforcement officers — current and retired — to reflect on their professional journeys across Wisconsin and how their perspectives evolved over years of service.

Moderated by CPAB Advisor Shar-Ron Buie and organized in collaboration with MOSES, Madison JusticeTeam, and the Black Men Coalition, the evening brought together civic leaders and community members alike.

East CPAB Advisor Amee Lapke organized a winter clothing drive for residents of the Harmony and Meadowlands apartments, partnering with the North Star Neighborhood Association, fellow Advisors Kathy Jackson and Kim Richman, and MPD’s East Captain Marshall and Lieutenant Alan. They collected collecting approximately $500 in winter gear and $200 in food donations that were given to the River Food Pantry to help stock their new location.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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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.

On January 17, JustDane hosted an important panel discussion about racial disparities, police discretion, and equity in Dane County's justice system. The Madison Police Department's South District's Community Policing Advisory Board was honored to be among the organizations represented. South Advisor and JustDane Associate Director Shar-Ron Buie did a phenomenal job as panelist moderator. Thank you to South Detective Sergeant (and panelist) Ken Mosely, Sergeant Ray Gillard, and Captain Harrison Zanders, as well as all of the panelists and guests, for your presence and participation!

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! ❤️

Throughout summer, the Madison Police Department’s Community Outreach and Resource Education (CORE) Team has been hosting cookouts in all six police districts, bringing citizens and officers together to get to know one another, discuss safety concerns as well as strategies, and celebrate community. In the South district, CPAB Advisors joined in on August 1st, taking the opportunity to meet and talk with residents of Highland Manor Mobile Home Park, learn about their experiences living in the area as well as their hopes for a community with safety at the forefront.