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Madison police cite sharp drop in auto thefts, report 90 Arrive callouts with no force used
Summary
Madison Police Department told the mayor and council that motor vehicle thefts and burglaries fell sharply in 2024 and that 90 Arrive mental-health callouts resulted in no uses of force; department outlined staffing, training and technology plans.
The Madison Police Department reported large declines in vehicle theft and burglary and highlighted its use of the Arrive Together mental-health response model at the Borough Council budget hearing on Feb. 26.
Chief of Police (name not specified) told the council that motor vehicle thefts fell from seven in 2023 to one in 2024, and motor vehicle burglaries dropped from 20 to two. “We have decreased those auto theft related cases in town,” the chief said, adding that one individual in the lone 2024 theft case was identified and arrested.
The presentation placed the Arrive program front and center. The chief said the department tracked 90 Arrive referrals in 2024 and reported that “out of those 90 callouts, there was not 1 use of force incident that was related to any 1 of those calls.” The department said the statistic supports continued investment in crisis-intervention training and clinician partnerships.
The department described current staffing and organization: a patrol division with multiple squads, a detective bureau, and a newly added full‑time community relations officer assigned to Arrive, school security and outreach. The chief said three officers recently were in the academy and that the dispatch vacancy has been filled.
Police officials also listed training and technology priorities for 2025, including continued crisis intervention (CIT) and de‑escalation training, replacement of body armor on a schedule tied to end-of-life cycles, and electronic upgrades such as automated license plate reader (ALPR) features and additional cameras. The chief noted grant funding has offset some equipment upgrades, including bulletproof vests.
Council members praised the results. Council President Ehrlich called the turnaround in car thefts “extraordinary,” and other members credited interjurisdictional cooperation and the ALPR program for regional gains. The council and chief discussed pedestrian-safety and Complete Streets work that includes police participation on traffic- and safety-focused committee efforts.
The department linked increased proactive enforcement to rises in motor vehicle stops and written warnings recorded in 2024 and said traffic and parking enforcement activity increased year over year.
The presentation closed with a reminder that the department will continue to pursue grant funding for pedestrian-safety and seat‑belt enforcement initiatives and seek to expand Arrive coverage regionally as clinicians and hours are added.
Council members asked questions about resources and expressed support for continuing funding and regional cooperation on public‑safety issues.
