NEWS
PACE, university officials discuss house party ideas
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Also by John Potratz:
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- ASM threatens lawsuit (October 21, 2005)
- ASM member resigns from position in protest (November 10, 2005)
- UW ranks No. 1 party school (September 1, 2005)
- Galloway's early visit spurs debate (September 14, 2005)
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- PACE study: Ban on weekend drink specials correlates with rise in crime (March 11, 2004)
- PACE revisits keg registration ordinance (February 22, 2006)
- PACE Committee Meeting (October 9, 2003)
- Panel probes alcohol issues (January 27, 2006)
by John Potratz
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
In a collaborative effort to reduce high-risk drinking in the downtown Madison area, several city and University of Wisconsin organizations met Tuesday to collectively discuss solutions to disorderly house parties in the area.
The Policy Alternatives Community and Education program met with both UW and Madison police, along with downtown landlords and representatives from the office of the Dean of Students in the Memorial Union.
Representatives from the various organizations discussed locations of house party “hot spots” and shared methods of controlling high-risk party situations as well as educating students of consequences involved with attending and hosting the events.
“Our goal is to increase the safety of house parties in the community and reduce the negative consequences,” PACE Director Susan Crowley said.
Crowley said there are several risks associated with house parties.
“Sexual assault and physical assault often accompany house parties that get out of hand,” Crowley said. “Also, students need to understand they are hosting unlicensed taverns in their home.”
In addition to safety, PACE and Madison police were also significantly concerned about unlicensed tenants procuring alcohol for the sake of profit.
Madison Police Department Captain Mary Schauf said taverns have many codes, such as fire and capacity codes, that make licensed bars safe.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he believes that because of the downtown area’s changing demographics, there are more non-students concerned with noise issues and disorderly conduct associated with house parties.
“Geographically, downtown is so much more attractive to all walks of life — there are fewer hot spots now because of the changing demographics of downtown,” Verveer said.
Both Madison police and downtown landlords agreed cooperation with each other greatly improved efforts to reduce house parties in the past. Landlords at the meeting said police cooperation has made it easier to identify and address delinquent tenants.
“About a year ago, we received a letter [from MPD], and when we showed it to the tenants, it scared them so much they ended up sending apology letters to their neighbors,” Steve Brown Apartments representative Tim Wadlington said.
All landlords at the meeting expressed concern for safety issues on their properties. However, some pointed out limitations on influencing their tenants’ actions. Landlords at the meeting said despite police assistance, city ordinances and liability issues often interfere with the development of pro-active relationships with their tenants.
“I’ve been in property management for 20 years. At the beginning, it was a lot more friendly,” Wadlington said. “Liability and city-ordinance issues have created a bad view of landlords.”
Isthmus Apartments representative Eileen Bruskewitz said ordinances restricting landlords from visiting tenants early in lease periods often stifle communication with tenants.
“One of the most important things we do is make sure they’re safe,” Bruskewitz said. “I don’t know any landlords who don’t want to improve the situation — there is only so much we can do.”
PACE handed out pamphlets at the meeting for landlords to distribute to their tenants to educate them on the risks and citations involved with throwing a house party. The pamphlet priced the fines for dispensing alcohol without a permit at $660 and disorderly conduct at $412.
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 10:42am):
The PACE staff sure know how to guarantee their own job security; keep claiming that the sky is falling. Time to end this farce of a group.
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 10:54am):
OK, so the Madison city council thinks they can raise the minimum wage in the city, why don't they lower the drinking age to 19? House parties become much less attractive and interesting as the controlled environment of bars become the place to drink. No more falling off balconies, huge police fines, and less wasted police resources. Not to mention a great opportunity for new bars and employment around campus.
Not to mention, the raising of the drinking age to 21 was a horrible and idiotic federal policy decision (and blackmail) that has done nothing to curb alcohol abuse related crimes or stop young people from drinking too much.
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 11:05am):
yes, I agree. But can't you mention how cops are dicks, except for the lesbian cops with strap on dicks?
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 12:29pm):
Look at that picture. I bet those folks could host a kickin' house party.
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 1:48pm):
PACE and university officials are looking for house party ideas? Jello shots always go over well...
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 3:01pm):
FYI...the Madison common council cannot lower the drinking age; it must be done at the state level.
Anonymous (February 23, 2005 @ 9:40pm):
"FYI...the Madison common council cannot lower the drinking age; it must be done at the state level."
Maybe, I've been unable to find any proof of that.
Anyway, maybe someone ought to seriously pitch it to the gov: http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/InTheNews/UnderageDrinking/1040075672.html
"Wisconsin Attorney General Jim Doyle advocates lowering the drinking age uniformly across the nation to 19. He says that the idea that we can somehow keep those between 19 and 21 from drinking is false."
Wow, I actually agree with Doyle on something.
