Madison police outline data‑driven 'stratified policing' model, set 5% reduction goals for focal crimes

MADISON, Wis. — The Common Council accepted the Madison Police Department’s first‑quarter report Tuesday after a roughly hour‑long presentation on a new “stratified policing” model, focal crime goals and quarterly crime trends.

The report, provided quarterly since 2017, lays out a data‑driven approach that identifies priority geographic areas, problem locations and microtime hot spots, and applies evidence‑based tactics — including Koper (intermittent) patrols and problem‑oriented policing — paired with organizational accountability at multiple levels, Assistant Chief Matt Tai said.

“Stratified policing…is a data‑informed model,” Tai said. It starts with the department setting focal crimes and annual crime‑reduction targets. “So this year, homicides, subjects struck by gunfire, burglaries, stolen autos, and theft from autos — and we’re looking for a 5% reduction in each of those focal crimes,” he said.

The department reported first‑quarter figures (Jan. 1–March 31): 30 shots‑fired incidents (a 14.3% decrease from the fourth quarter), 44 known overdose events (a 13.7% decrease), 22 robberies (an 18.5% decrease), 99 burglaries (a 3.1% increase from the fourth quarter), 65 stolen autos (one more than the prior quarter) and 131 thefts from autos (a 21% decrease).

Chief Patterson and Assistant…