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Game day security causes controversy

UW creates controversial game day security

Michelle Orris

News Editor

Breese Terrace will close to all traffic before and after football games this fall, despite protests by Breese residents and cries of unconstitutionality by city officials.

The controversy surrounds limitations placed on motor vehicles by University of Wisconsin Police. The limitations affect residents of Breese Terrace, whose cars must be sniffed by police dogs for explosives if they want to enter the street during the off-limits game day hours.

During an Orange Alert, the second highest level in the U.S. Department of Defense terrorist warning system, a maximum of five residents can leave with their cars during a game. Residents can leave only once, and they must alert police one week in advance if they plan to drive off Breese Terrace.

The city of Madison approved the security measures in mid-August, amid protest from City Council members and Breese Terrace residents.

Ald. Robbie Webber, who represents Breese Terrace as the alder of District 5, said she believes the security measures are unconstitutional. Webber said that while exterior dog-sniffing searches are legal, there are only four such police dogs in Wisconsin.

UW Police want to perform interior car searches if no dogs are available. Residents must give police permission in order for their cars to be searched, but if residents do not comply to a search they are not allowed to enter Breese Terrace.

“Is that legal?” Webber said. “I don’t think it is. UW thinks it is.”

Webber said she is uncomfortable with the security because UW has not stipulated they will not search cars barring probable cause.

UW chancellor’s office chief-of-staff Casey Nagy has said that security of the large Camp Randall crowd is the UW’s responsibility.

UW junior Scott Galla, who lives on Breese Terrace, said the new game day regulations are “obnoxious.”

“It’s kind of ridiculous; I don’t think terrorists will plot to hurt people on Breese Terrace,” Galla said.

UW Police Sergeant Johnnie Diamante said any security measures employed by the UW Police force are meant to provide the “safest environment possible” for players and staff.

Former mayor Sue Bauman slammed the UW Police last summer when she discovered they were conducting searches of Breese Terrace residents’ cars for explosives during football games. Bauman demanded police consult the mayor’s office before engaging in such practices and criticized searching without probable cause.

In response, UW Police Chief Susan Riseling said residents could park elsewhere and walk into Breese Terrace. Bauman retorted that parking is impossible to find on game days and said that an ID would be sufficient surveillance of the residents.