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.

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.

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.

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!