As the top party school in the United States, UW-Madison sees its fair share of house parties. But when these parties get out of control and the police arrive, the good times can be expensive.
Residents of 621 E. Johnson St. hosted a party Feb. 4 that ended with a total of $54,000 in citations. Kale Bodendein, a resident, declined comment, but police Public Information Officer Mike Hanson said house parties are nothing new.
'We see these types of house parties every single weekend in the downtown area,' Hanson said.
Police arrived at the house after receiving a call from a man who said residents beat and kicked him. Hanson said the hosts would not let police enter, but since a large party could be heard inside the house, the police forced their way inside.
According to Hanson, the amount of fines at a house party depends on the hosts' level of cooperation, the atmosphere at the party and the number of minors present.
UW-Madison sophomore Alaina Wendlandt recently had a party with two and a half kegs crashed by police.
Of the 50 to 60 people attending the party, none received any violations on the spot, but a week and a half later the five hosts were each fined $2,000. The violations included distributing alcohol without a license, distributing alcohol to minors, noise violations and one 'obscure' ticket for $100, Wendlandt said.
But after going to court, Wendlandt's total came to $350 and 35 hours of community service.
'House parties, are they a problem? Yeah, they are, I suppose, but they're one of those things everybody does it and it's just a matter of who gets caught and made an example of,' Wendlandt said.
Manager Andy Beaulieu of Riley's Liquor Store said he does not believe Madison's house parties are getting out of control.
'I think as long as the kids are responsible and they know who's at their party, it shouldn't be a problem,' Beaulieu said.
Riley's' responsibility is with the person buying the alcohol, Beaulieu said, who is always asked to show ID.
'It's not our job to question them,' Beaulieu said, 'We're assuming that whoever they're having at their house is going to be 21.'
Police take action, Hanson said, because of the noise, sexual assaults, drunk drivers, battery and property damage incidents that are associated with house parties.
'If we can prevent someone from getting hurt, we're doing our job,' Hanson said.
