Madison Police Chief Noble Wray publicly apologized Tuesday to a rape victim mistreated by detectives in 1997.
The Justice for Patty campaign has garnered widespread attention among police and city officials since it began in late September. The campaign calls for an apology to Patty on behalf of the city along with $35,000 in compensation to the visually impaired rape victim.
Wray stressed that the police were not required to apologize under the resolution that came before the City Council Tuesday. However, he said the time had come to say sorry.
""This apology should have taken place years ago,"" Wray said.
Still, the chief defended the detectives who interrogated Patty, and insisted they only sought the truth when they questioned her almost 10 years ago.
""I don't think you can find a group of more caring, committed, compassionate people,"" Wray said.
Ald. Austin King, District 8, is one of the campaign's founders and a sponsor of the resolution. He welcomed Wray's public apology, but did not withdraw his demand that the police present a report detailing changes in their handling of rape cases.
Ald. Ken Golden, District 10, asked to be added as a sponsor of the resolution after hearing Wray's apology. He also joined the rest of the council in loudly applauding Wray after the chief's statement.
The council did not vote to officially apologize to Patty, however, instead delaying a decision for two weeks.
Despite a delay on the Patty vote, the council did give its approval an ordinance that gives tenants the ability to make their own repairs, deducting costs from their rent.
Landlord Rose LeTourneau testified in opposition to the ordinance, citing the need for more oversight in determining whether tenants can take an active role in apartment and house repairs.
But Velma Jackson and Freddie Clark led a contingent of Allied Drive residents who said the ordinance was crucial to empowering low-income tenants.
Clark said roaches and substandard living conditions plague tenants on Madison's south side, where ""slum landlords"" often refuse to make repairs.
""We've had a number of ordinances that have failed the people you are supposed to be helping and defending."" Clark said. ""This is a chance to empower some of the most disadvantaged people in this city.""
""When you go in someone's house and the roaches meet you at the door, that's bad,"" Jackson said.
""The slum landlords need to get on their job,"" she added. ""If they won't fix things, we will.""
