Hate crimes have dropped five-fold since 2016 on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus but sexual assault cases have increased since then, according to an annual security report required by federal law.
Category: Crime and safety
Madison Police: 2 UW students fall victim to phone scams
DeSpain said both students are from China and were told by the caller to wire money to China to avoid going to jail or face heavy fines. DeSpain said it appeared to be a sort of passport fraud.
UW students from China victims of scammers pretending to be Chinese police, authorities say
Two UW-Madison students from China were victims of scammers pretending to be Chinese police in separate incidents on Monday, Madison police reported.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report shows increase in campus rape reports
Report also found an increase in liquor law violations, a decrease in drug violations.
Woman reportedly sexually assaulted near UW campus
The victim and her friends got separated when her friends went to a bar, after which the victim accepted an offer from some suspects to give her a ride to that bar at 11:19 p.m., according to the Madison Police Department.
UW-Madison Wisc Alert warns of burglary on Langdon Street
The off-campus alert was sent at 6:27 a.m. and reported that the burglary happened on the 200 block of Langdon Street.
Suspect arrested for campus-area burglaries
Shan K. Daley, age 19, of Madison was arrested early Friday morning on three counts of burglary and four counts of attempted burglary on the 100 block of Mills Street.
Woman was ‘fearing for my life’ when attacked by woman with pepper spray, knife, Madison police say
The 28-year-old woman sought refuge by running up to a UW-Madison police car that was operating in the area, and Madison police officers soon arrived to take the suspect into custody, and talk with the woman who reported the attack, Madison police public information officer Joel DeSpain reported.
Burglar arrested after UW-Madison student finds him in her apartment
According to the Madison Police Department, a UW-Madison student woke up around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday and found a burglar inside her apartment on the 400 block of West Johnson Street.
UWPD rescues stray kitten from UW-Madison fountain
According to a post from the UW-Madison Police Twitter page, the kitten was stuck in a fountain outside the UW-Madison College of Engineering building.
UWPD issues 22 citations at Wisconsin football’s home opener
UWPD said 19 citations were for underage alcohol consumption, while three people received citations for possession of false identification.
Langdon Street random attack brings 7-year prison sentence for Madison man
A random attack near the UW-Madison campus in February that left a woman with multiple facial fractures will send a Madison man to prison for seven years, to begin once he is done with other sentences he is already serving.
UWPD Revolutionizes Recruitment Efforts to Diversify Force
Under the leadership of Chief Kristen Roman, UWPD has created a first-of-its-kind Diversity and Inclusion officer to head up recruitment for the Department.
Blue emergency lights, phones deemed ‘outdated’ by UWPD
While UW doesn’t have plans to remove them, efficiency of devices has been questioned.
Woman arrested for 9 vehicle break-ins near UW Hospital
A 28-year-old woman is behind bars after police said she is responsible for nine vehicle break-ins at the parking ramp and lot near UW Hospital.
Woman arrested following string of smash and grab thefts in UW parking lots
Over the course of the investigation, and with the help of some local businesses with security cameras, UW Police Department officers and detectives were able to identify a primary suspect – Brittany L. Townsend, 28, of Madison.
UWPD arrests Madison woman in connection with rash of vehicle break-ins
According to police, since late July, at least eight vehicles in the hospital parking ramp and a nearby parking lot were broken into. The windows and windshields of some vehicles were broken, in addition to valuables stolen.
Lawyers for women who accused Cephus of sexual assault say his reinstatement undermines UW-Madison’s credibility
Lawyers for the two women who accused fellow University of Wisconsin-Madison student Quintez Cephus of sexual assault — charges of which he was acquitted by a jury — are calling on the university to further explain its decision to reinstate Cephus.
Attorneys for women accusing Quintez Cephus of assault question UW’s reinstatement
Attorneys representing the women who accused Wisconsin Badgers player Quintez Cephus of sexual assault last year say UW-Madison’s decision to reinstate him sends a message that the university cannot be trusted to protect victims.
UW students say man attempted to sexually assault friend; police look for person of interest
Sophomore Cameron Jacobson said her friend, who is also a student, woke up around 4 a.m. Sunday morning to a man standing over her. She said the man was holding a flashlight over her friend’s face, trying to pull her pants down.
New Study Shows Declining Racial Gaps in Criminal Sentencing Since the 1990s
According to new research from Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, racial and ethnic gaps in criminal sentencing have declined significantly since the mid-1990s.
Know the Facts Bed Post: How to safely navigate the first weekend on campus
Noted: Staying safe is much more important than getting caught doing drugs or drinking, so rather than fearing potential consequences of drinking underage or doing drugs, focus on calling for help if it means helping someone else or saving a life. Some police departments and colleges, like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, even have a system where if someone is underage drinking, but call to report a crime, they will be safe from any consequences because they were responsible by reporting.
‘I understand why the decision was made’: Advocate responds to Cephus reinstatement at UW
“I understand why the decision was made,” said Erin Thornley Parisi, executive director of the Rape Crisis Center, noting that Cephus was acquitted in criminal court. “But that doesn’t change the impact that it might have on the survivors of the alleged crimes as well as other survivors on campus. It is painful for those who still believe that these women were sexually assaulted by him.”
Marquette University is the latest campus to ban e-scooters on university property
The Marquette University Police Department will issue citations, with a fine of $86.20, for riding scooters on public sidewalks — enforcing an existing Milwaukee municipal ordinance.
Editorial: UW should respect rule of law, readmit Quintez Cephus
Wisconsinites understand the issues associated with the case of Quintez Cephus, and the dilemma facing UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank. She’ll be damned if she decides to reinstate the former Badger wide receiver and to allow him to attend the university this fall, and she’ll be damned if she doesn’t.
‘A rock and a hard place’: UW-Madison weighs whether to readmit Quintez Cephus
No matter what UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank decides, she will be criticized.
3 in custody after vehicle thefts on UW campus
During the investigation, UWPD identified one of the suspects as Travon M. Pearson, 20, of Madison. On Thursday, Pearson was taken into custody on the 500 block of East Washington Avenue.
UWPD arrests two Madison men, one teen involved in campus vehicle break-ins
Campus police detectives and officers said they identified one of the suspects as Travon M. Pearson, 20, of Madison. Officials said they found Pearson on the 500 block of East Washington Avenue and took him into custody.
UWPD, MFD clear scene at UW-Madison Chemistry Building for report of fire
Officials said there were no signs of a fire when they arrived.
‘It was quick and it was unanimous’: Juror in Cephus trial explains ‘not guilty’ verdict
She believes many pieces of evidence added up to form the jury’s not guilty conclusion, but surveillance video of the night shown by the defense stands out as the most persuasive.
Black Leadership Council backs Cephus in letter to UW-Madison chancellor
The letter addressed racial asymmetry on the UW-Madison campus, a previous racially-charged incident and critiques of race-related disciplinary actions.
UW-Madison officials refute Title IX criticism from defense attorney over Cephus case
UW-Madison officials dispute that characterization of how Title IX investigations are run, saying in a statement to News 3 Now that “if a complainant provides any information during the hearing, they are subject to cross-examination.” They also note that in 2017, “11 complaints of sexual assault against students were investigated and the university found students responsible in 4.”
Black Leadership Council Urges UW to Readmit Cephus
Some of Madison’s most prominent Black leaders urged University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank to readmit Quintez Cephus to the university after the former football player was acquitted of sexual assault charges.
As UW-Madison reviews Cephus’ readmission request, defense attorney provides insight
“This rush to expel people to provide a safe space for accusers is inevitably tipped in favor of the accuser, and therefore severely tramples the rights and futures of many young men,” Van Wagner said.
Madison eyes new sites for short-term intercity bus stop
For safety concerns, Madison officials are looking to temporarily relocate the city’s intercity bus stop outside UW-Madison’s Memorial Union to a new spot on Monroe or Lake streets.
Uncertainty reigns as to Wisconsin bringing Quintez Cephus back
Cephus’ attorney, Steve Meyer, created quite the stir on Monday by claiming that the University of Wisconsin-Madison had “sent us a clear message they do not want… Cephus to be a student at the university this semester.” Not long after, the university released a statement in which it very stridently pushed back against the attorney’s contention:
Cephus attorney says UW doesn’t want football player back, UW denies claim
“The university needs to think about how the nation-wide public and how people of color will view this institution,” Meyer told reporters Monday.
Former Badger Cephus presses UW for readmission
According to his attorney, Kathleen Stillman and Stephen Meyer, it’s time for the university to follow the jury’s lead, and overturn their expulsion, given the former Badger’s acquittal.
UW-Madison: Cephus attorney’s comments on readmission request ‘false’; no decision yet
The University of Wisconsin-Madison won’t readmit former Badgers football player Quintez Cephus, his attorney told News 3 Now Monday, but the university responded calling the attorney’s comments “false,” saying a decision hasn’t been made.
Quintez Cephus’ Attorney Says UW-Madison Won’t Readmit Cephus
In a tweet Monday afternoon, UW-Madison said the information was “not accurate” and that the university plans to make a statement.
Cephus, attorneys hold press conference urging UW to readmit him in light of not guilty verdict
Meyer incorrectly claimed earlier Monday that UW officials have already made up their mind and will deny Cephus. In the press conference, he pleaded to UW to let Cephus back in.
Are blue light phones obsolete? UW-Madison says benefits of safety symbol outweigh cost
With the press of a button, nearly 200 emergency phones scattered across UW-Madison’s campus connect students, staff and faculty members to the police.
Police: Driver was drunk in wrong-way fatal crash involving UW coach’s family
According to A4 / WDIV, a wrong-way driver who caused a crash that killed herself and the wife and daughter of UW basketball coach Howard Moore near Ann Arbor was drunk, police said, citing a toxicology report.
Former Wisconsin football player petitions for readmission
Former Wisconsin Badgers football player Quintez Cephus has filed a petition to be readmitted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting two female students.
Quintez Cephus, expelled in the wake of sexual-assault charges, wants to return to UW
One day after former University of Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus told the Journal Sentinel he hoped to resume his education and football career, his attorneys announced they would seek to have Cephus readmitted to UW.
Cephus asks for readmission to UW-Madison following not guilty verdicts
A UW official told News 3 Now that a student who has been expelled may petition the chancellor for readmission. The chancellor would then evaluate the petition based on all applicable laws and policies.
Cephus Says Returning to School Top Priority Following Trial
The wide receiver tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a story published Tuesday that he doesn’t know if he will return to the University of Wisconsin.
Former UW student fails to win new trial in sex assault case
24-year old Nathan Friar appealed his conviction after the trial judge questioned the jury’s thinking in finding Friar guilty of second degree sexual assault, yet acquitting him of strangling the victim.
Former Badger receiver Quintez Cephus acquitted of sex assault charges
A Dane County jury deliberated for less than 45 minutes Friday before finding former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus not guilty of two sexual assault charges.
Understanding the impact of Quintez Cephus’ not guilty verdict
Those who work with rape victims think the not guilty verdict in Quintez Cephus’ sexual assault trial isn’t a surprise.
Quintez Cephus found not guilty in sexual assault trial
During closing arguments, prosecutor William Brown urged the jury to find Cephus guilty on both counts. “This is how sexual assault happens. It happens in private. It happens with someone who has more power, someone who has more control.”
Jury exonerates ex-Badger football player Quintez Cephus of all sexual assault charges
UW-Madison’s former receiver Quintez Cephus was found not guilty on both counts of second- and third-degree sexual assault after 30 minutes of deliberation, a four-day trial and a year-long football suspension.
UW football player Davis testifies in sex crimes trial of former teammate Cephus
Davis conceded he took a photo of one of the women naked during the evening of the incident at Cephus’s urging.
Former UW football player Quintez Cephus testifies in sexual assault trial
On Thursday, UW football player Danny Davis testified in court, admitting to taking photos of the two women who say Cephus sexually assaulting them. Davis and Cephus are former teammates. Davis called his actions a “big mistake” during his testimony.
Former Cephus teammate, roommate Danny Davis testifies at former player’s sexual assault trial
UW football player Davis says victim expressed concern about “hooking up” with Cephus.
Three cars violently broken into at UW Health Hospital ramp
On Monday morning, three people found their windows shattered and valuables stolen from their cars parked in the UW Health Hospital parking ramp.”It’s very upsetting, and I understand that,” University of Wisconsin Police Spokesperson, Marc Lovicott said.
‘I was in shock’: Second accuser takes the stand in trial of former UW football player
The prosecution is trying to prove the women were too drunk to consent, while the defense says the women knew what they were doing and had a consensual threesome with Cephus.
Woman tells jury ex-UW football player raped her in his home
The trial of former University of Wisconsin football player Quintez Cephus began Tuesday with a woman testifying that Cephus raped her in his apartment.
Surveillance footage plays large role in sexual assault trial of former Badger Quintez Cephus
Surveillance video took center stage Tuesday during the first day of the sexual assault trial of former University of Wisconsin Badgers football player Quintez Cephus.
Accuser, police called to stand during first day of Quintez Cephus trial
She described a night of drinking in a dorm room and at Madison bars, but said she doesn’t remember much about getting to Cephus’ apartment.