Mifflin Street residents and interested UW-Madison students have one last chance to hear police lay down the law regarding Mifflin Block Party expectations before the Saturday festivities. At a meeting tonight, city officials will clarify the ground rules for the Mifflin event, as well as hammer out concerns with students.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, will host the annual pre-Mifflin meeting at 7 p.m at the Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St. Verveer said it is especially important for residents and concerned parties to attend this year's meeting due to the amount of confusion that has surrounded numerous aspects of the 2005 block party.
This year's Mifflin planning has been beset by confusion over the date of the party and conflicting accounts of police enforcement.
\I think in particular this year it's important for at least every house to be represented so they know exactly what the police expectations are for Saturday and-for that matter-for May 7, study day,"" Verveer said.
Mifflin residents agreed that cooperation between police and students is crucial to the party's success. UW-Madison senior Sarah Walters said she sees the value of meetings between authorities and partiers.
""It shows that the street of Mifflin is willing to work with the police because we want this to be a fun event and a continuing tradition,"" Walters said.
She added she appreciates this type of meeting because, ""the police can say what they have to say and we can hear it, but they also open it up to questions and comments and concerns and they listen.""
Issues covered at the meeting will include what hours music and bands will be allowed and what time the block party is expected to break up, said Verveer. The expectation that with the party will exclusively be held on April 30 and not carry over onto May 7 will also be stressed.
Verveer said in exchange for the date change and more flexible police enforcement, students should be content with one block party.
""I want Mifflin residents to be able to have the luxury of cramming for finals in the privacy of their own home, on Saturday, May 7,"" Verveer said.
Madison Police Sgt. John Patterson said he sees great value in meeting with students. He said education of students and other partygoers will be key to prevent students from being arrested or cited for behavior they might not have known was illegal.
