MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The slaying of a college student in a downtown neighborhood frequented by beggars has forced this liberal city to ask a difficult question: Has Madison been too nice to the homeless?
A debate over the city’s friendly treatment of its transient population had been under way for months, but last week’s killing of University of Wisconsin student Brittany Zimmermann started something of a backlash against the homeless.
Police have arrested dozens of transients on unrelated charges as part of the investigation, but none are considered suspects in the death. The city also announced plans Wednesday to confront problems at a nearby park where the homeless congregate, although those efforts were in the works before the murder.