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County might regulate raves at Alliant Energy Center
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by Jessica Peterson
Thursday, May 9, 2002
After police arrested 10 people on drug charges at a recent rave and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported most partiers in attendance were on drugs, Dane County officials are looking into increasing regulation of the all-night dance parties.
Held at the Alliant Energy Center the weekend of April 27, about 2,500 people attended the rave where six people were arrested for marijuana use, two for using the drug ketamine, two for using Ecstasy and three for disorderly conduct.
Sharyn Wisniewski, spokeswoman for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, said officials are currently determining whether the county could legally prohibit the dances. Wisniewski said because members of the public rent out the facility, the problem lies with prohibiting certain sponsors from renting.
“This is really a First Amendment issue,” she said. “The issue is, ‘Can a public body not allow this for a reason of public heath and safety?’” Wisniewski said the amount of arrests at the April rave did not come as a surprise to county officials.
“For a gathering of that size, it’s not considered out of line,” she said. Alliant Energy Center Director Bill DiCarlo said the facility typically hosts four raves per year, and most are sponsored by Milwaukee-based Plantations Productions—the company that staged the most recent rave.
DiCarlo said the center promotes the events as alcohol and drug free, and said security personnel perform pat-downs and shoe checks on patrons.
“I’m not sure much more can be done,” DiCarlo said. “We have a well-run facility, and we present a wide range of activities.”
Wisniewski said the county would likely not be able to ban the parties, because officials cannot make judgments on others’ entertainment choices.
“The overwhelming majority was there legally, enjoying the entertainment,” she said.
No additional raves are scheduled at the Alliant Energy Center this year. Wisniewski said Falk would be meeting with DiCarlo and Dane County Sheriff Gary Hamblin to discuss options within the next couple of months.
