The Madison Police Department is considering an option that would keep bars on State Street open past the standard 2 a.m. closing time Halloween weekend.
The alternative is one of many that the police hope will curb the rioting seen on State Street during Halloween the past three years.
Police officers, local business owners and representatives from the University administration and student government discussed the problem in a series of several meetings stretching through the month of September.
No final decision has been made, but the police are considering letting State Street bars serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and allowing patrons to remain in the bar until 3 a.m.
Those in support of this policy said they feel it would diminish some of the chaos that ensued in past years at bar time when hundreds of inebriated people poured onto State Street at 2 a.m.
Another potential solution police brought up to bar owners was encouraging patrons to leave the buildings through the rear exits that do not flow onto State Street.
Joel Plant is the city's first Alcohol Policy Coordinator. He said that whatever constraints are set, it is important not to give people something to rebel against.
\There is a list of establishments that could do this. It's a good idea to have management suggest that people use alternative exits,"" Plant said.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz requested that bar owners close early on the nights of Halloween weekend, but State Street bar owners did not favor this option.
The decision has yet to be finalized because several factors play into the decided bar time.
City officials want to coordinate what time patrons can leave the bars with what time Halloween will officially end.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the 3 to 3:30 a.m. event end time for last year worked very well.
""Despite the unfortunate end of events last year I think it was reasonable,"" he said.
The committee will meet again this Tuesday with the mayor to make some final decisions surrounding the Halloween plan.
Associated Students of Madison Chair Eric Varney and Chancellor John Wiley said they would back whatever decisions the city makes surrounding the bar issue.
Assistant to the Mayor Mario Mendoza said the important thing is that city officials can still operate the city.
""In regard to the event, every year we learn something that we can build upon for next year. We continue to learn,"" Mendoza said.
