Press Releases



DAVE ANNOUNCES HIS BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE ANTI-BURGLARY INITIATIVE: The courts recognize burglaries as property crimes. However, through my many contacts with victims throughout Dane County over the years, I see burglaries as crimes against people. Whether it is a burglary of a business or residence, it causes an emotional violation of a person’s space, security and privacy. Criminals often cross jurisdictional boundaries and although law enforcement agencies exchange information, I would like to see an organized attack on this issue through the pooling of resources with other local police departments. I would suggest that each agency assign one representative to a special unit to collectively analyze burglary patterns so we can initiate a pro-active response. Cooperatively identifying suspects and outlets that receive stolen property and creating an active shared database to target the offenders is the first step to reduce burglaries in Dane County. *DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:* The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is a pacesetter with its award-winning response to domestic violence. I have proudly served as one of the original three detectives selected in 1999 to address domestic violence through a team concept. This special Domestic Violence Squad was recognized and awarded the Luan Gilbert Award in 2000 for its contributions to the victims of domestic abuse. As your Sheriff, I will continue the successful effort by designating additional detectives to bolster the current effort and increase our delivery of service to victims of abuse. My first mission is to track families who are subject to repeated attacks, assigning one deputy per family to take appropriate intervention options and ensure services are available to the children and family. *JAIL CROWDING & INMATE RECIDIVISM:* For nearly three decades, I have seen the jail population increase in an unabated fashion. At this very moment we are spending over $2 million per year to house inmates in facilities outside of the county, due to our overly crowded jail. Based on today’s demographics, it is estimated that our jail population will increase about 7% annually and in 15 years, our jail population will have doubled. Can you imagine how much our $2 million a year bill will be in 15 years if we do not break the cycle? It’s time to join together as a community and attack this problem from many angles of resolution. We must escalate our efforts to address the key components leading to criminal recidivism to control the number of inmates in the Dane County Jail. Alcohol and drug abuse are often the impetus for crime. If we are to address jail overcrowding and repeat offenders we must address the issues in force. The county board has earmarked $43 million to build a new drug and alcohol treatment center. I propose that we expand the mission and I will work to include the following in the new facility: Ensure that the drug and alcohol treatment programs will accommodate as many inmates as possible. Set up an intensive high school equivalency program Launch an English as a second language program. Organize job training services. Create volunteer job counseling and employment services to bolster existing program. Establish a Dane County Human Services Satellite Office. Merge the current detox center into the facility to allow those in need of treatment to avoid waiting for an opening in a program. In time I believe that these programs will make a substantial difference in our repeat offender rate and stabilize, if not lower, our jail inmate population. Read more here

DAVE ANNOUNCES HIS BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE

ANTI-BURGLARY INITIATIVE: The courts recognize burglaries as property crimes. However, through my many contacts with victims throughout Dane County over the years, I see burglaries as crimes against people. Whether it is a burglary of a business or residence, it causes an emotional violation of a person’s space, security and privacy.

Criminals often cross jurisdictional boundaries and although law enforcement agencies exchange information, I would like to see an organized attack on this issue through the pooling of resources with other local police departments. I would suggest that each agency assign one representative to a special unit to collectively analyze burglary patterns so we can initiate a pro-active response. Cooperatively identifying suspects and outlets that receive stolen property and creating an active shared database to target the offenders is the first step to reduce burglaries in Dane County.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is a pacesetter with its award-winning response to domestic violence. I have proudly served as one of the original three detectives selected in 1999 to address domestic violence through a team concept. This special Domestic Violence Squad was recognized and awarded the Luan Gilbert Award in 2000 for its contributions to the victims of domestic abuse.

As your Sheriff, I will continue the successful effort by designating additional detectives to bolster the current effort and increase our delivery of service to victims of abuse. My first mission is to track families who are subject to repeated attacks, assigning one deputy per family to take appropriate intervention options and ensure services are available to the children and family.

JAIL CROWDING & INMATE RECIDIVISM: For nearly three decades, I have seen the jail population increase in an unabated fashion. At this very moment we are spending over $2 million per year to house inmates in facilities outside of the county, due to our overly crowded jail. Based on today’s demographics, it is estimated that our jail population will increase about 7% annually and in 15 years, our jail population will have doubled. Can you imagine how much our $2 million a year bill will be in 15 years if we do not break the cycle?

It’s time to join together as a community and attack this problem from many angles of resolution. We must escalate our efforts to address the key components leading to criminal recidivism to control the number of inmates in the Dane County Jail.

Alcohol and drug abuse are often the impetus for crime. If we are to address jail overcrowding and repeat offenders we must address the issues in force. The county board has earmarked $43 million to build a new drug and alcohol treatment center. I propose that we expand the mission and I will work to include the following in the new facility:

Ensure that the drug and alcohol treatment programs will accommodate as many inmates as possible.

Set up an intensive high school equivalency program

Launch an English as a second language program.

Organize job training services.

Create volunteer job counseling and employment services to bolster existing program.

Establish a Dane County Human Services Satellite Office.

Merge the current detox center into the facility to allow those in need of treatment to avoid waiting for an opening in a program.

In time I believe that these programs will make a substantial difference in our repeat offender rate and stabilize, if not lower, our jail inmate population.

Read more here