Patty’s letter to Mayor Bauman
in response to MPD report

[What follows is the letter that Patty wrote to Madison Mayor Sue Bauman commenting on the internal Madison Police Department "investigation" that the mayor had requested and received.]

November 28th, 1998

Dear Mayor Bauman,

I have seen the poor excuse for an investigation letter written to you by Ted Balistreri. Again, I cried. I'm terribly disappointed and I'm hoping you are too. What investigation? I haven't been interviewed yet, nor has anyone I know. What are the 41 points against me? No one has told me yet or questioned me for explanations. I'm left confused. Again: what investigation?

The detectives insensitive conclusion that I should simply put this behind me and move on shows the lack of compassion in yet another Madison Police Officer. I'm sure if you, as a woman, could put yourself in my place, you'll appreciate that no, I'm not moving on.

That rape put me some where I never wanted to go. I'll never feel safe again. Most would say the odds are against this happening again. The truth is, this is the third attack in my life. Never one more devastating. I was able to fight for my life the other two and hand the attackers over to the police on a silver platter. This one caught me off guard in my sleep. No time to think.

The biggest, most important difference about this rape is it left me with the horrifying reality that I can never call the police for help again. I am a blind woman living alone, walking sometimes at night alone. Could you use your imagination as a woman and put yourself there, in my place, and imagine what I'm going through?

Not only am I frightened [to] death of asking police for help, but the police made sure I'm also separated from my family and friends. I am truly alone.

Though I can't foresee any change in these matters any time soon, it surely would ease my mind some to hear that you're not going to accept this joke of an investigation and please lets get someone held accountable for the horror I'm suffering. I honestly didn't do anything wrong. I'm the victim here.

Please respond immediately.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Patricia XX

[Last name, address and phone number withheld.]

[End of document.]