Jail Inmate Data Analytics, Dredging, and Pandemic concerns

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Dear Neighbors,
I have been working with Supervisor Richelle Andrae on a proposal to improve Jail Inmate Data sharing and Analytics. I also have updates on the five phased dredging project that has started and I share the latest on the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic response.

Data Sharing Improvement for the Dane County Sheriff’s Inmates Website

We don’t have a proper understanding of how we use our jail. We need data analytics to help us understand who is in jail, why there are in jail, what their average length of stay is, and where they are housed. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a precipitous drop in our jail population to under 500 inmates with what seems to be a negligible impact on public safety. We can use these advanced analytics to permanently reduce our jail population and redirect money in our community where is it badly needed.

Please this proposal for a daily report containing our jail census, building that an inmate is housed in, and the reason they are in jail. We also want this information provided using modern Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) so the community can assist in analyzing this data and proposing solutions. The full PDF proposal is here. I am also embedding below as images (it is my day off and I am too lazy to convert this into a square space friendly formatted page so you can screenshots!).

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Lake Levels and Dredging Updates

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Dredging of the Yahara river between Lake Monona and Lake Waubesa is underway. This is a critical 5 phase project to move water faster through the Yahara watershed so we can move 1 inch of rain in 4 days rather than 7. This is the start of a multi-year effort that my committee is overseeing.

There is also an effort underway right now to change our lake levels orders from attempting to manage at the seasonal minimums to seasonal medians. 3 additional inches of water on Lake Mendota is the equivalent of 9 inches of water on Lake Mendota. I will work to reject this proposal since we had a well thought out task force process. We have yet to see any flow improvements in the Yahara watershed and prior to make any changes, we need to implement meaningful changes. This resolution is to only benefit the boating community. My priority is protecting people’s homes and livelihood not boating and recreation. Our lakes quickly get above their summer maxes and tend to stay there most summers so boaters can enjoy a full summer on the lakes.

Absentee Ballot, Request yours now!

Have you requested an absentee ballot for the August 11th primary election? You can do so here:

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee

We are in the midst of a public health emergency and let’s make sure you can vote on August 11th in the primary and later this fall in a critical presidential election. Make your poll workers and neighbors lives easier by safely voting by mail! You can even check the progress of your absentee ballot request. Here is a screen shot:

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Covid-19 Public Health Updates

Effective at 8:00am on July 2, 2020, Public Health Madison & Dane County is issuing order #7 PDF , which limits gatherings and prohibits indoor dining and service at bars.

These are some of the items that have changed with this order related to gatherings, bars, and restaurants (see the order for all requirements):

  • All indoor gatherings are permitted with 10 individuals or fewer not including employees. Individuals must maintain physical distancing. (Section 2.a.)

  • All outdoor gatherings are permitted with 25 individuals or fewer not including employees. Individuals must maintain physical distancing.  (Section 2.b.)

  • At restaurants (defined in order), indoor dining capacity reduced to 25% of approved seating capacity levels. (Section 5.b)

  • Bars (defined in order) may provide takeout (no indoor dining). (Section 5.b)

  • Bars and restaurants are permitted to provide outdoor seating, with physical distancing. (Section 5.b)

Please wear masks indoors and outdoors where physical distancing is not possible. This is critical. I support a city/county wide mask ordinance as long as accommodations are made for those with health restrictions.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. We are not free until we are all free and all of our neighbors have the same opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.