Barnes: 'Madison is a very safe city'

MADISON, Wis. — Madison's chief of police, Shon Barnes, spoke candidly about violent crimes seen during the first half of 2024 and what the department is doing to address them, in a one-on-one interview with News 3 Now. He openly remarked that the city is safe and he is pleased with the job the department has done under his command.

On violent crime

From January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024 there have been two homicides to take place within the city of more than 250,000. Barnes says while any loss of life is too many, having only two homicides within the course of six months should be heralded.

"I saw a report about another city in America, they've had three, and they were being heralded as doing something right," Barnes said. "We've had two, so I think we're doing something right as well. And I think our officers and staff are to be commended."

It was on April 9, when a man was shot on the city's northside . It was not until June 7 when another man was killed on the Isthmus . That same weekend in early June saw two other notable incidents, including a mass shooting at an apartment complex and and an attempted homicide on the city's far east side.

Barnes says the narrative should not be focused on a weekend of gun violence, instead it should be on the majority of times where no one was in harm's way.

"It should be about the other weekends where we've had nothing. And those weekends people were safe, they went out, they had a good time, they enjoyed this amazing city," Barnes said. "What we're doing is working."

The media narrative

Following up on the violent crimes seen throughout the start of 2024, Barnes shared his disappointment in the narrative surrounding his department. He remarked how many articles are often written about the violent crimes, because they are important, other positive and uplifting stories about the department are not covered. He says this has created "an element of fear."

"A story about the Lux shooting will run 10 times, but a story about having homicides down 70% in the city may not, and because you are with the media, you tell me, why doesn't it," he asked News 3 Now. "Let's see what the what the headline for this story is."

News 3 Now asked if part of changing the narrative lies on MPD or solely on media outlets in town.

"I think it lands on everyone," Barnes said.

Is Madison safe?

Barnes continued with a conversation about the perceived safety of Madison.

"Madison is a very safe city," Barnes said. "I think we have worked extremely hard since 2020 to really kind of get the city back to where we remember those numbers prior to my arrival."

Barnes was sworn into his position in February of 2021. He said he's implemented new strategies including a new policing model called stratified policing since then. You can read the entire model on MPD's website .

Summer holiday safety

Barnes' conversation with News 3 Now concluded speaking about the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and the department's work to enforce the city's fireworks ban. Barnes encourages people throughout the city to take part in other Independence Day celebrations like barbequing and spending time with loved ones safely.

"Any fireworks in Madison is illegal, (it's) a $250 fine for that," Barnes said.

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