Following the release of a police DVD of last month's Halloween festivities, representatives gathered together yesterday to scrutinize the aftermath of this year's event.
A majority of the representatives said they agreed that the overall event was a success compared to past years, due to new strategic techniques coordinated by police enforcements and numerous planning sessions. But the main dispute centered on the final celebration early Sunday morning and the use of pepper spray.
'We did better than last year but didn't meet our high expectations we set,' Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's assistant Mario Mendoza said. The event now has 'the expectation of ending with pepper spray,' he said.
'We're very satisfied with the police department; they acted promptly and prudently with great compassion,' Mendoza said. However, Mendoza said he acknowledged the event had its disappointments.
Nitty Gritty owner Marsh Shapiro witnessed the State Street Halloween crowd directly in a command post and saw police officers being taunted by the crowd, cups of ice and liquid being thrown at officers, people slapping horses and people running into the pepper spray.
Even when Saturday night's rowdiness escalated, 'the police worked professionally and were very tolerant,' Shapiro said.
Ald. Austin King, District 8, said he was disappointed with media headlines attacking the event because he said it was 'radically different' than past years.
Though King said the event was a success due to crowd-control with fencing and stadium lighting, he said many of his constituents claimed pepper spray was used indiscriminately.
Madison Police disagreed.
'If we declare unlawful assembly and you fail to leave, then you are part of the problem,' Madison Police Capt. Mary Schauf said.
UW-Madison Dean of Students Lori Berquam emphasized the success of the event. With the help of the 'no guest' policy, 'there was no major damage or vandalism in residence dorms,' she said.
She commended positive press coverage encouraging 'students empowering others to take responsibility for their actions.'
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he and King have been discussing the possibility of holding a forum at Memorial Union for students to discuss Halloween with their city representatives.
