Mifflin area residents gathered for a neighborhood meeting Wednesday and heard a panel of city representatives from Madison’s Common Council, along with the fire and police departments, discuss concerns about the Mifflin Street Block Party.
Tensions were higher than usual at the annual neighborhood meeting due to the Madison Police Department announcing it will more strictly enforce ordinances at this year’s Mifflin Street Block Party, which takes place the first Saturday in May every year in the Mifflin neighborhood.
Police will implement a “zero tolerance policy” for a number of city ordinances which have existed for years, but aren’t usually enforced.
Students and other community members voiced particular concerns about being arrested if caught stepping onto the street or sidewalk with alcohol.
“If you put a foot on the sidewalk while holding alcohol, you will be arrested,” MPD Lt. Kelly Donahue said. She added amplified music and loitering in the street are also prohibited.
Madison Fire Department Division Chief Ronald Schwenn added “five-square-feet between people” is the limit on porches for safety reasons.
Police echoed Schwenn’s safety concerns. Officers said they will target those who supply alcohol to minors, and added hosts charging people to drink draws police attention and increases the likelihood of being cited.
“Citations and safety are intertwined,” MPD Lt. Dave McCaw said. “[We’re] going after dealers at these house parties, trying to limit the number of intoxicated people.”
He cited past incidents ranging from sexual assaults to people falling off balconies, and said they were all alcohol related.
Many students in attendance did not seem satisfied with the intentions of the police, as University of Wisconsin-Madison fifth-year student Luke Schmidt attested to. He called the tactics used by police in 2012 “extremely aggressive.”
“The stuff I saw last year was absolutely absurd,” Schmidt said. “It was way out of line.”
He referenced an incident witnessed last year where police allegedly “hogtied” a girl for stepping into the street while carrying a beer.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, wanted to dispel any “misconceptions” Mifflin residents had about this year’s festivities.
“People should feel comfortable in their own house with a few friends,” Verveer said. “As long as you follow the rules, you’ll have no problems with the police.”
