NEWS
Madison, UW chooses first-ever alcohol policy coordinator
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Darryl Schnell:
- Crowley to ALRC: drop drink specials (October 20, 2005)
- Mayor veto on Overture possible (October 20, 2005)
- Building commission rejects 9-story proposal (October 20, 2005)
- In-Depth: Changing the face of Badger fans (September 4, 2006)
- 'Sconnie Nation' a big hit at UW (September 7, 2006)
Related Stories:
- City pushes on with bar limit (September 21, 2006)
- Liquor licenses up for debate (October 19, 2006)
- Mayor appoints booze marshall (October 11, 2007)
- Madison bar ban talks continue (December 14, 2006)
- Committee explores alcohol ban in city's parks (September 15, 2006)
by Darryl Schnell
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Just in time for the start of the fall semester, the City of Madison initiated its first alcohol-policy coordinator to deal with general alcohol issues throughout the city.
Joel Plant will work closely with the Alcohol License Review Committee, the Madison Police Department and licensed establishments to assist in developing a comprehensive alcohol policy for Madison. Plant’s relationship with each entity is not yet concretely determined, since he started the new position Aug. 29.
“It’s difficult to know exactly how Plant will work with the ALRC,” Maribeth Witzel-Behl, city clerk and member of the ALRC, said. “We will be discussing his role with us at the next meeting.”
The next ALRC meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Dawn B. Crim, assistant to the director for University of Wisconsin-Madison Community Relations and a member of the selection committee, denied that a drinking problem on campus was the reason for hiring an alcohol-policy coordinator. However, the selection committee had students in mind.
“This is a unique opportunity to have someone assist the city concerning certain issues,” Crim said. “Certainly the Mifflin Street Block Party and Halloween are two events that [Plant] will address.”
Some students believe their drinking habits are at the core of Plant’s hiring.
“There’s no doubt that a major activity for many [UW] students is going out and getting drunk,” UW senior Danny Michuda said. “If they cite Mifflin Street Block Party and Halloween as two big activities [Plant] will be addressing, then it seems like student drinking is going to be his main focus.”
Though Plant is a city employee, the City of Madison and UW-Madison will evenly split funding for his position.
“If the university is paying him, they must really be trying to crack down on student drinking,” Michuda said. “I guess a little help keeping students under control couldn’t hurt because drinking puts students in vulnerable spots or causes them to act like delinquents.”
Madison Police Capt. Mary Schauf said there is a correlation between drinking and crime, especially in Madison’s central district, which includes the UW campus. Sector 403 of the central district, which includes State Street and much of the southeastern campus, is particularly worrisome for the MPD. According to Schauf, crime in that area spikes at midnight and about 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. “Sector 403 is the black hole of the central district when it comes to crime. The vast majority of the crime in sector 403 is related to alcohol,” said Schauf.
Alcohol-related crimes in general, along with Mifflin Street Block Party and Halloween, will be issues Plant will consider in his quest to develop a comprehensive alcohol policy.
Michuda said he believes Plant will have “one hell of a time” dealing with alcohol issues in Madison, but the selection committee believes Plant can handle the position.
“I was really impressed with Joel’s background working with diverse populations,” Crim said. She added the committee considered Madison’s diversity during the selection process.
Plant will draw on his experience as a crime analyst for the Tempe, Ariz., police department and his work with the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing to aid in improving the quality of life for Madison residents.
