The Badger Herald

NEWS

Mifflin residents rake in party fines

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Also by Lynn Heidmann:

Library Mall to add Subway, coffee shop (March 21, 2007)
Ticket dispute ends in lottery (May 3, 2007)
UW vet student earns book treat (March 9, 2007)

by Lynn Heidmann

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

For University of Wisconsin students facing several fines for various party violations, this year's Mifflin Street Block Party was not one to look back on with fond memories.

Five UW seniors at 518 Mifflin St. face about $13,000 in fines as a result of their house party Saturday, and several of the residents said many of the accusations made against them were unjustified.

According to resident Ted Horstick, the original intent of the party was a pig roast with live music for several hundred friends. The yard was fenced off, and signs reading "under 21 no admittance" were clearly posted, he added.

"We wanted a private party, and we invited about 200 of our own friends to come over and enjoy Mifflin Street," Ted Horstick said.

Resident Gabe Horstick noted that at a town meeting the week before, officials said houses on Mifflin Street could play music until 8 p.m., and houses with excessively loud music would first receive a warning.

But instead of a warning, he said, the residents received accusations.

"There was a town meeting I was at that said we were able to play music at a reasonable level," Gabe Horstick said. "I don't think it was really fair warning when [police] came in at 12:45 [p.m.] and told us we were already getting substantial fines."

Yet Mike Hanson, Madison Police Department's public information officer, said unruly partygoers and loud music were addressed as quickly as possible at the block party Saturday. Increased police staff went into houses right away if there seemed to be a problem, he added.

"[The police] were very busy throughout the day, so they went to houses that drew their attention by having super loud music or people drinking in the street," Hanson noted. "If [partiers] got caught, we addressed it immediately."

Resident Jon Samb explained he was trying to be as compliant with the police as possible, but there was simply a lack of communication and organization surrounding the situation. Residents received several different orders from officials and police, he added.

Overall, Ted Horstick said the roommates were angry with the lack of consistency between the week before the event and the day of the party itself.

"The week before [the block party] police came around and were asking questions about whether or not we were going to have a party, and straight up, we said yes," he added. "They had our phone numbers and our information from that day forward, and if they had a real concern, why didn't they talk to us like they said they would?"

However, 518 Mifflin St. was not the only house to receive hefty fines. The neighboring residents at 514 Mifflin St. are also being charged on several counts for party violations. But according to Ted Horstick, the police seemed to think the two residences were elements of the same house party.

Samb added all of the confusion between partygoers and police has changed the mood associated with the Mifflin Street Block Party, perhaps discouraging its existence.

"It's quite obvious to me the city of Madison doesn't want this party to occur anymore," he said. "People want to go to this university because it's a great learning environment, but we also like to have fun and we need to speak up to see that the tradition continues."