Chief Wray: Crime and Madison

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Chief Wray: Crime and Madison

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Reporter: Carleen Wild
Email Address: cwild@nbc15.com

33 comments

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Posted Monday, May 19 --- 8:00pm

In an interview with NBC15 News, Police Chief Noble Wray discusses crime in Madison, and the murder investigations now underway.

Click on the video player above.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Lynda Location: Wisconsin on May 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Not your typical homicide....so who cares what kind of homicide it is. These kids are dead. And Madison has a huge problem and they had better face it. But then when you live in a very liberal city it's a fact crime goes up. Some of you may not want to hear that, but it's the truth. As far as Chief Wray is concerned he had better not take this lightly as he appears very much to be doing in that interview. Come on Madison clean up your city!! I have a son who will be attending college there next fall. It makes me sick to send him there with this happening. Madison is not that big of a city. 3 murders in 12 months and no clue who did it? That's not acceptable

Posted by: fed up on May 24, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Big J Move What a great solution? So if you are the only one left in the city it will be okay if you are murdered and your investagation seem blundered and no one is caught, right? Two of these people were murdered in thier homes. A place of safety. Believed to be strangers in both Joel and Brittany murder. If this was your family member or you what would you want the MPD to do? People have the right to question goverment and demands answers if they feel they are not doing the job. I am glad Greta is doing this. Anything to solve these random murders is a good thing.

Posted by: Big J on May 22, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Good thing I come in here and read comments, it's a constant reminder that people get dumber every day. Go solve your CSI crimes. You're just a bunch of unhappy complainers. If you dont like it here... MOVE.

Posted by: Gary Location: Madison on May 22, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Mr. Eugene Parks, long time no hear! I have to give you credit, you did mention that Madison was heading for alot of trouble. I, for one, was one of the "he's crazy" people and for that I am sorry. You were right! As far as the police force and Chief Wray... Once again right on the money! I think Wray is underqualified to be a chief of police and he is in way over his head. The police force in this city is lacking "street smarts". Think its not important? Think again, if the police cannot communicate with the people or show them any respect, they will get the same in return. Until the economy turns around, we will continue to see crime rise! Madison is not the same city it was 10, 15 or 20 years ago people and extra steps are needed to be taken by you, John Q. Public to protect yourselves from crime. Wake up become vigilant and take necessary steps to assure you and your neighbors are looking out for one another. These are the first steps in preventing crime!

Posted by: Big J Location: Madison on May 22, 2008 at 06:51 AM
It's so funny to read all these responses from people who are defending a television show lady, and not understanding the difficulty of solving these murders. I'm ashamed to be from the same city as them. NEWS FLASH: HEY IDIOTS, CRIME HAS GONE DOWN. If you are so smart, get your ass out there and solve the crime, or get a neighborhood watch together. Until then, take your fingers off the keyboard, solve your CSI crimes, and shut up--seriously.

Posted by: Jake Location: Madison on May 21, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Noble Wray is the master at creating diversions. He was aware of the 911 Center call from Brittany Zimmerman for weeks, but told Dane County officials to keep quiet because of the investigation. He then threw Joe Norwick under the bus publicly before the 911 Center could tell the public their side of the story. He is a snake who can't be trusted.

Posted by: Randolph Johnson Location: Gary Indiana on May 21, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Chief Wray should probably take this time to step down and Madison should go on a national hunt for a new Chief! He was only hired as the Chief because he was a member of the department! There were many more valuable candidates for the job! It is so unsettling knowing that my daughter is going to the University of Madison! Being a african american father or any father for that matter we have to worry about our kids while they are away! There is NO reason for this and NO reason why this family can not get justice! I am glad my baby is home for the summer now where I can protect her and not have to worry about the Madison Police Half-steppin! All this is about is Politicians not knowing jack about whats really up and always trying to give the community a quick fix! They will not start to listen until the police themselves are underfire in the street! When the police start being victims than they will start to care and that is sad!

Posted by: Matt Location: Wausau on May 21, 2008 at 03:34 PM
To Greg P.. I realize we are not in Mayberry.. I was just stating the fact that when a victim is stabbed there is usually a lot of blood at the Crime Scene.. so I was just curious.. by the way.. I hate CSI

Posted by: Mark Location: Madison on May 21, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Did they ever catch the person responisble for the Nolan disappearance?

Posted by: mad Location: madison on May 21, 2008 at 11:53 AM
It's just one more fact that the people of power in this city are out of touch. Get your heads out of your rears and get the job done

Posted by: John Walsh Location: MADISON on May 21, 2008 at 09:01 AM
I am so happy Greta is going to expose this police department on national tv on her program. Now the world can see that the Madison Police are incompetant! This is what needs to be done! Maybe she will run a special on how unqualified they are for the job!This will shed light on the situation and make the police solve the crime! GO GET THEM GRETA!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Colorado on May 21, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Chief Wray may be a good guy, but someone needs to investigate why the DA's office often refuses to press charges against people if they case seems at all difficult to prosecute and worse, if police mistakes are involved.

Posted by: Concerned on May 21, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Someone must be up for re-election. He was so defensive and seemed like he was virtually pulling at his collar. One thing we did agree upon was that these are REAL people - I'm glad that there are shows like 'On The Record' because it does bring these families some feeling of hope after the MURDER of their loved one is STILL NOT SOLVED after 4 months! Get the murders solved and everyone will leave you alone. *By the way look up Greta on-line and you will find that she is from a solid democrat family. Not that this has anything to do with this guy 'feeling the heat' of the ENTIRE country looking at him.

Posted by: Elaine Carole Location: Ohio on May 21, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I do not know how they can solve the crime without the public's help. They need all the press they can get for free.

Posted by: Pat Location: Menasha, Wisconsin on May 20, 2008 at 10:49 PM
So the Police Chief thinks "On The Record" is entertainment? Apparently he has never watched the show; unless, of course he thinks reporting the news is entertaining?!

Posted by: Cindy Richardson Location: NC on May 20, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Yes he slammed you about your reporting on those murders

Posted by: Greg P on May 20, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Matt, do you really think the police are completely ignoring forensic evidence? MPD might not be as quick at crime-solving as CSI, but we're not in Mayberry either.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 20, 2008 at 09:14 PM
If you look at the latest FBI crime stats, crime is actually down in Madison. But I agree 100% about having aggressive community oriented policing. I think getting things like neighborhood watches together are a big help.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 20, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Thomas Magnum, the words "Aggressive" and "Community Policing" don't work well together. In fact, they are complete opposites.

Posted by: Tom Location: Pittsburgh Pa. on May 20, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Fox News covering the crimes in Madison may help solve the crimes.Is America Most Wanted entertainment?

Posted by: Nancy Location: TX on May 20, 2008 at 07:46 PM
I was impressed with Chief Wray's interview until he mentioned Greta Van Susteran's name. Has he watched her show? She is very pro victims and pro police. Usually it is the families of these victims who request her to come do her show in their city and she brings a very level headed perspective to these case's. She is very sensitive to the fact that these are ongoing case's and appears very careful not to step on the police's "toes" so to speak....She showcase's these victim's that perhaps would not get the exposure any other way or have been forgotten. If I were a victim, I would feel fortunate to have a "Greta Van Susteran" on my side as I believe she tries very hard to be fair to all parties,will listen with impartiality, and tries to educate her viewers.....not just entertain as the police chief suggested. He obviously is feeling defensive and may have a reason to feel that way...but perhaps if he has not watched "On the Record" with Greta he should do so.

Posted by: JJ on May 20, 2008 at 06:35 PM
I don't think he should call Greta's show "murder as entertainment", some one who watches her show and blogs may have suggestions MPD may not have considered. Over thinking a case is bound to leave gaps in an investigation that may be solved if the least signifigant items are meticulously sorted and put together. Sometimes a distant view is the most important. I do so wish these cases to be solved as my husband goes to Wisconsin as a consultant and to do business with Bruker. I'm not letting him go up there till these murders are solved.

Posted by: Linda Location: Dallas, TX on May 20, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I certainly do not agree with Chief Wray that Greta von Susteren's show is doing a disservice to the community. I do not view her show as 'entertainment' at all - the focus is on news and unsolved crimes, for the purpose of giving the victims' families some of the national exposure they feel is helpful to them in solving the crimes against their loved ones. Most law enforcement agencies have expressed nothing but gratitude for the news coverage - so it's difficult to understand why Chief Wray is at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Posted by: Anna Location: Fl on May 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
There is obviously a problem. Maybe this area does need more police. I will say that criminals have more rights than the victims, here and everywhere else. I also do not think putting a specific story on a TV program could hurt. The more exposure the better. It could only help.

Posted by: Eugene Parks Location: Madison Wisconsin on May 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I told you all it was coming and you called me crazy! Well its here now Madison! Now we need to start from behind the eightball! We need to regroup and realize we are in trouble. We can start by getting rid of our Police Chief and his worthless police force!

Posted by: D Location: Madison on May 20, 2008 at 04:38 PM
WELL SAID JOE FRIDAY....I cant agree with you more

Posted by: Raggedy Ann Location: Ohio on May 20, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Sounds like Mr Wray is a spin doctor..Forget about comparing...SOLVE THE CRIME

Posted by: Thomas Magnum Location: Hawii on May 20, 2008 at 03:23 PM
When you look at the big picture here you will realize that crime is on the rise in Madison and that our police are having a great amount of difficulty handling the job. The police need to change to adapt to what is being handed to them. Meaning! The police need to change the way they do business. The whole thing of hiring to be politically correct will not work anymore. this department needs to get some real police officers that are knowledgable on the topics at hand. They need to hire more people with Criminal Justice Degrees than individuals with degrees that are not in the social work field! I always thought that this would come back and bite the city and it has. It was easy when crime was low but now that it is on the rise and we are seeing a major influx of gang activity it is obvious we need not anymore weak police! We have the ones we have now it is now time to get real police in here an work the streets the way the streets need worked! Aggressive, community oriented policing~

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on May 20, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Very few of these posts even touch on the fact that we should all be helping the police, and chastising the criminals.

Posted by: Mark on May 20, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Hey Tim, they arrest many of the A-holes, but judges refuse to lock them up for a long time and the DA's office is so understaffed that they plead every case and drop many of the charges due to high caseload.

Posted by: Joe Friday Location: Madison on May 20, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Because Noble Wray speaks well does not mean that he knows what the hell he is talking about! This guy is just a big bucket of air!

Posted by: Matt Location: Wausau on May 19, 2008 at 09:09 PM
There was a recent case of a young woman in Tomahawk who was murdered at a gas station... she was stabbed as well.. and the detectives matched a bloody handprint left in the bathroom to the killer... since Brittany and Joel Marino have been said to be stabbed... isn't the chance for other bloody prints at their crime scenes that could be used to solve the crime? I know the MPD is doing everything they can to solve these horrific crimes, but it does seem like there would be a lot of forensic evidence especially after a stabbing to speed up the crime solving process... Just curious on what your thoughts on that are?

Posted by: Anonymous on May 19, 2008 at 08:34 PM
I have personally meet him, he is a great guy, very likable and very didicated to waht he does.

Posted by: Big J on May 19, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I met Chief Wray twice, and he is a very genuine guy. Seemed to care about this city and its residence very much, but he and the rest of the MPD do have a very difficult job in a growing city.

Posted by: Tim on May 19, 2008 at 07:45 PM
The Dude really comes across as a very likable guy, but they just are not getting the A-holes off the streets.