Madison Police Chief Reports Major Drop in Burglaries, Homicides, and Auto Thefts in 2025
MADISON, WISCONSIN — The City of Madison is seeing one of its lowest crime years in nearly a decade, with major offenses down across the board in 2025, according to Madison Police Chief John Patterson.
At a community update on Monday, Patterson said the city has seen a 55% drop in homicides, a 43% decline in burglaries, and a 52% reduction in stolen vehicles compared to the three-year average from 2022 to 2024.
“Our average has been 583 burglaries, and this year we are at 335,” Patterson said. “Stolen autos, our three-year average is 477, and this year we are at 230.”
Patterson called the progress “significant” and credited the turnaround to a data-informed approach that allows officers to identify problem areas and allocate resources more efficiently.
Data-Driven Policing Leads the Change
Under Patterson’s leadership, the Madison Police Department (MPD) has adopted a model that uses crime mapping, trend analysis, and real-time data to focus enforcement efforts where they’re most needed.
“We’re using our incident-related data to identify hot spots and crime trends,” Patterson explained. “That helps us direct more police resources to areas around our city that need them most.”
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway echoed that sentiment, praising the department’s shift toward evidence-based policing and interagency coordination.
“It all starts with the data,” Rhodes-Conway said. “They’re turning to evidence-based solutions to intervene and prevent further incidents.”
Community Partnerships and Prevention Units Play Key Roles
City officials also credited the Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) for helping reduce violent crime through outreach and early intervention.
VPU Director Aurielle Smith said her team has handled fewer cases this year — down 55% from 2024 — though many have been more complex.
“While frequency is down, the complexity of our cases is still at an all-time high,” Smith noted. “We’re managing individuals who need deeper and longer-term support.”
Officials say that coordination between police, public health, and community partners has been critical in preventing repeat offenses and reducing violence across neighborhoods.
Focus on Collaboration Moving Forward
Patterson said his goal moving forward is to sustain the downward trend in crime by continuing to invest in data-driven methods and community engagement.
“Keeping crime down isn’t just about policing,” Patterson said. “It’s about working together — law enforcement, social workers, community advocates, and residents — to make Madison safer for everyone.”
City leaders emphasized that the combination of technology, transparency, and teamwork will remain the foundation of Madison’s public safety strategy in 2026.
Do you think data-driven policing can reduce crime long-term? Share your thoughts and follow more community updates at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.