📹 Some of Madison’s cameras are on the fritz

📹 Over 100 Madison City Cameras Don’t Work

• About 10% of the cameras used by city agencies aren’t responsive, officials said. The city has a total of 1,021 cameras, with 174 used by Madison Police and 83 used by traffic engineering.
• The non-responsive cameras – 109 in all – may be damaged by wildlife or nearby construction, or simply by usual wear-and-tear, officials said.
• Madison Ald. Mike Verveer voiced concerns about how non-working cameras might impact criminal investigations. “There hasn’t really been a concurrent effort from my vantage point to really organize and take care of these cameras.” [WSJ]

🚔 UW-Madison Searches For New Chief of Police

• UW-Madison officials have launched a nationwide job search to find the next UW police chief. A 14-person committee of representatives from students, faculty, academic, and university staff hope to have the new chief of police in place by the start of the Spring 2025 semester.
• The new police chief will replace Interim Chief Brent Plisch, who was elevated to his current role after former UWPD Chief Kristen Roman resigned in February amid an investigation into alleged workplace misconduct. [Badger Herald, WSJ]

👩‍⚕️ Whooping Cough Is On The Rise in Wisconsin

• Wisconsin health officials are concerned with a tenfold rise in whooping cough cases in the state this year. As of Sept. 13, DHS reported 625 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness, also known as pertussis. In 2023, only 51 cases were recorded.
• Officials say the rise in cases nationwide is partly due to the vaccine for the illness being less effective. In the 1970s, the United States switched to a vaccine that has fewer side effects but doesn’t stay effective for as long.
• Those experiencing a long-lasting cough should get in touch with their physician, who can prescribe antibiotics. Whooping cough can develop into pneumonia and even be fatal, especially in infants. [Channel 3000]