Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk has joined the let’s-set-up-police-roadblocks-(sobriety checkpoints) bandwagon.
See, Falk—she of the let’s-cover-our-asses-fast reaction to the Dane County 911 Center’s widely reported screw-ups leading to the murder of Brittany Zimmermann—says she wants to change the attitudes towards and culture of Wisconsin drinking.
Gee, changing the culture, that's an interesting if unenlightened, proposed role for politicians and elected officeholders.
Anyway, let’s set up “checkpoints,” she advises our governor.
After thinking you see, Falk “… quickly realized that steps must be taken on the level of state policy to help curb the tide of alcohol abuse," Falk writes to Gov. Doyle, it is reported in the State Journal (Matthew DeFour) this morning.
A “tide” in the culture that we must address by draconian measures like "checkpoints" and criminalization?
Is this the precise, sober analysis that we can expect if we reelect Falk?
How about some checkpoints between Kathleen's Falk's administration, Dane County citizens and the 911 Center; you know that emergency thing that is supposed to work during, like, emergencies?
What I see from Falk is a tide of incompetence and bad judgement that led to a young woman’s murder, and now proposed opportunistic police measures better suited to the roadblock-loving folks of Indiana and the Fourth Amendment-hating Bush Department of Justice.
Maybe she’s hoping her tough-on-drinking stands will cover her incompetence and that of her lackey, Joe Norwick, her political appointment, whom she handpicked to run the 911 center in the first place. But Falk says her opponents should not make "political hay" of the Zimmermann tragedy.
Falk, a liberal with whom I generally agree on policy stands, is displaying either an ignorance or apathy of the propriety of checkpoints and criminalization (we need more people in jail), but I think her long screw-up on the Zimmermann case alone earns her the boot.
And I wish the Zimmermann family well in its wrongful death lawsuit against Falk, which I'm sure Falk will go to considerable lengths to dispute. It's Falk political career that's really important, don't you know?
In any event, much as I despise Nancy Mistele’s (Falk's likely opponent this spring) policy stands and am appalled at the thought of at seeing Mistile for four years in the Exec's seat, it’s time to dump Kathleen Falk, because what's really important is the death of a young woman and the liberties and safety our community exists to defend.
On that score, Falk has fallen down on the job.
Showing posts with label Joe Norwick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Norwick. Show all posts
May 9, 2008
Citizens Leading, Dane County Officials Flailing
Update: Dane County Board spins wheels on Zimmermann 911 call controversy
Madison, WI - "The County Board's mood didn't mirror the public outrage," in questioning "embattled" 911 Center Director Joe Norwick yesterday, reads the Capital Times.
That's likely because the public is of the mind that 911 operators reached ought to err on the side of credulity over disbelief, and callers tend to view defects of these best and needed 911 practices with derision.
There is, the Zimmerman tragedy reveals, a culture of skepticism towards the public at the Dane County 911 Communications Center.
The truth of the matter is Kathleen Falk and her supporters seem interested in political damage control more than anything else.
Reports Nathan J. Comp from yesterday's Norwick appearance:
That seems about right to me. By the way, why in the hell does Joe Norwick still have a job?
Madison, WI - "The County Board's mood didn't mirror the public outrage," in questioning "embattled" 911 Center Director Joe Norwick yesterday, reads the Capital Times.
That's likely because the public is of the mind that 911 operators reached ought to err on the side of credulity over disbelief, and callers tend to view defects of these best and needed 911 practices with derision.
There is, the Zimmerman tragedy reveals, a culture of skepticism towards the public at the Dane County 911 Communications Center.
The truth of the matter is Kathleen Falk and her supporters seem interested in political damage control more than anything else.
Reports Nathan J. Comp from yesterday's Norwick appearance:
... Supervisor Eileen Bruskewitz (District 25) did criticize Kathleen Falk for attending a conference in New York rather than the meeting. This looks more to me like a cover up,' Bruskowitz exclaimed, before Board Chairman Scott McDonell (District 1) scolded her comment as inappropriate. ... Supervisor Kurt Schlicht (District 28) said he has been unimpressed with how Norwick, but particularly Falk, has handled the controversy. 'It does seem funny that the leader isn't here when her 911 director is testifying before two committees,' he said after the meeting. 'She isn't genuine and lacks direction. She is in panic mode, not directional mode.'
That seems about right to me. By the way, why in the hell does Joe Norwick still have a job?
May 8, 2008
Misplaced Police Priorities
Amid the discordant political backdrop, recriminations abound about whether the murder of a 21-year-old UW-Madison woman could have been prevented.
Aside from proposed audits and spirited defenses of the Dane County 911 Communications Center and other Dane County officials, it's worth noting the priorities and policies of local law enforcement agencies here. [I hope not to read the word 'leadership' again; it doesn't exist on this matter.]
As the routine break-up of house parties and the pursuit by police of other frequent illegal college recreational pastimes continue apace here, one wonders if police officers foot-patrolling neighborhoods at night with the objective of protecting property and persons might be a better use of limited police resources vis-a-vis busting a 19-year-old for having a beer or smoking a joint on campus.
And one less parking meter boy (like that pathetic guy who wears the floppy safari hat), and one more officer walking on the street looking out for a female student walking home at night from the library would certainly do.
The culture of skepticism of callers' intent that pervades the 911 call center, '(s)hort-staffed almost always' (Isthmus), ought to draw the attention of the proposed audit, as well.
The imperatives of judgment, discretion, and priorities in public safety become clearer when tragedy strikes.
Local Media for Coverage of Brittany Zimmermann Fall-out
- Isthmus
- Uppity Wisconsin
- Dane County 101
- Capital Times
- Wisconsin State Journal
County/City Resources
- Madison Common Council: Alders
- Board of Supervisors - Dane County, Wisconsin
- Dane County 911 Communications Center
- Madison Police Department
- Dane County Executive
Aside from proposed audits and spirited defenses of the Dane County 911 Communications Center and other Dane County officials, it's worth noting the priorities and policies of local law enforcement agencies here. [I hope not to read the word 'leadership' again; it doesn't exist on this matter.]
As the routine break-up of house parties and the pursuit by police of other frequent illegal college recreational pastimes continue apace here, one wonders if police officers foot-patrolling neighborhoods at night with the objective of protecting property and persons might be a better use of limited police resources vis-a-vis busting a 19-year-old for having a beer or smoking a joint on campus.
And one less parking meter boy (like that pathetic guy who wears the floppy safari hat), and one more officer walking on the street looking out for a female student walking home at night from the library would certainly do.
The culture of skepticism of callers' intent that pervades the 911 call center, '(s)hort-staffed almost always' (Isthmus), ought to draw the attention of the proposed audit, as well.
The imperatives of judgment, discretion, and priorities in public safety become clearer when tragedy strikes.
Local Media for Coverage of Brittany Zimmermann Fall-out
- Isthmus
- Uppity Wisconsin
- Dane County 101
- Capital Times
- Wisconsin State Journal
County/City Resources
- Madison Common Council: Alders
- Board of Supervisors - Dane County, Wisconsin
- Dane County 911 Communications Center
- Madison Police Department
- Dane County Executive
May 4, 2008
Capital Times' Coverage Lagging in UW-Madison Death
Update: Cap Times back on it: See - Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6) and County Board chair wants answers on 911 problems (Cap Times, May 6).
- Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6)
via MAL Contends
I was sorry to see the Capital Times hard copy newspaper go, but I told a friend its online iteration was an innovation that would see it stay on the bleeding edge of technology in bringing Dane County residents the news.
But Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal have been massacring the Capital Times in their coverage of the biggest local news story that has residents outraged—the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the failure of the Dane County 911 Center to send a police unit in time to save her life.
But Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal have been massacring the Capital Times in their coverage of the biggest local news story that has residents outraged—the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the failure of the Dane County 911 Center to send a police unit in time to save her life.
No doubt the Capital Times remains dedicated to bringing readers the news, but as measured by breaking coverage, general and investigative reporting, and incisive editorial comment, Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal are the go-to media for the latest on the Brittany Zimmermann murder and the Dane County 911 Center scandal.
The Capital Times has prided itself on its historical commitment to covering local issues of concern to readers.
But its start as an online medium as exemplified in its coverage on the Brittany Zimmermann murder-Dane County 911 Center story is inauspicious.
***Note*** Contributions in memory of Ms. Zimmermann may be sent to:
The “Dollars for Brittany” scholarship fund
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
Care of the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union
P.O. Box 279
Marshfield, WI 54449
May 1, 2008
Dane County 911 Center Looks to Save Itself in Wake of Murder of 21-year-old Woman
WI State Journal Edit (May 4, 2008), No apology? You better find one. WI State Journal (p.1) (May 4, 2008) 2004 report warned of 911 Center problems; Co officials warned to increase staffing, change procedures. - Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (WSJ, May 6) - Expert calls Dane County 911 staffing inadequate (WSJ, May 6)
The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.
It's serve the public.
So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.
Unfortunately, the Dane County 911 Center doesn't see it that way, and the stonewalling has begun.
Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann (pictured above; Isthmus Publishing Co.).
Shepard broke a story today that Zimmermann "called 911 before she was stabbed and beaten to death inside her Doty Street apartment, but the 911 Center failed to send help after erroneously concluding the call was a mistake."
Now, as the media and an appalled public look for answers, Shepard, and Isthmus, are being shut out by the Dane County 911 Center.
Writes Shepard:
Over the past two and a half weeks, the 911 Center has refused requests for basic information about the calls. This week, Joe Norwick, director of the Dane County 911 Center since July, declined further opportunities to comment after being provided with a written summary of parts of this story.
In an email, Norwick said he was basing his refusal on a request from the Madison Police Department to withhold all information 'pertaining to this matter' because release would 'seriously impair' the murder investigation.
Bullshit.
Reports Bill Lueders in Isthmus:
At a press conferencethis afternoon, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray responded to the growing media feeding frenzy over the Brittany Zimmermann case by tossing a body to the assembled hungry reporters. His name was Joe Norwick. ... Wray released a statement saying 'there is evidence in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched.' He provided a copy of the MPD’s policy, which says officers should be dispatched to cell phone calls if the dispatcher 'has reason to believe that police services are needed.' Wray also confirmed that 'technology exists where we can get either very close to, or the exact location' of, a cell-phone call.
So, is Chief Wray seriously impairing the murder investigation in being open about what happened in the 911 call?
No, he's leveling with the public that he has sworn to protect and serve.
Norwick should step up, now, and release the tape, and offer a full accounting of what happened.
The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.
It's serve the public.
So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.
Unfortunately, the Dane County 911 Center doesn't see it that way, and the stonewalling has begun.
Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann (pictured above; Isthmus Publishing Co.).
Shepard broke a story today that Zimmermann "called 911 before she was stabbed and beaten to death inside her Doty Street apartment, but the 911 Center failed to send help after erroneously concluding the call was a mistake."
Now, as the media and an appalled public look for answers, Shepard, and Isthmus, are being shut out by the Dane County 911 Center.
Writes Shepard:
Over the past two and a half weeks, the 911 Center has refused requests for basic information about the calls. This week, Joe Norwick, director of the Dane County 911 Center since July, declined further opportunities to comment after being provided with a written summary of parts of this story.
In an email, Norwick said he was basing his refusal on a request from the Madison Police Department to withhold all information 'pertaining to this matter' because release would 'seriously impair' the murder investigation.
Bullshit.
Reports Bill Lueders in Isthmus:
At a press conferencethis afternoon, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray responded to the growing media feeding frenzy over the Brittany Zimmermann case by tossing a body to the assembled hungry reporters. His name was Joe Norwick. ... Wray released a statement saying 'there is evidence in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched.' He provided a copy of the MPD’s policy, which says officers should be dispatched to cell phone calls if the dispatcher 'has reason to believe that police services are needed.' Wray also confirmed that 'technology exists where we can get either very close to, or the exact location' of, a cell-phone call.
So, is Chief Wray seriously impairing the murder investigation in being open about what happened in the 911 call?
No, he's leveling with the public that he has sworn to protect and serve.
Norwick should step up, now, and release the tape, and offer a full accounting of what happened.
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