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Police warn of fines for Mifflin bash
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Also by Bridget Roby:
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Related Stories:
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- Mifflin residents, MPD prepare for block party (April 30, 2002)
- Mifflin party issues on tap (May 2, 2007)
- Pricey fines looming for some students (May 2, 2006)
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by Bridget Roby
Thursday, May 3, 2007
It is not every day that college students discuss their house parties for the upcoming weekend with police officers before they even occur.
However, at a meeting Thursday night, Mifflin Street residents met with officers from the Madison Police Department and the Madison Fire Department to talk about issues — namely alcohol and noise level — that could arise at the block party this Saturday.
City Council President Mike Verveer, who represents District 4, facilitated the meeting, as he represents a large portion of the Mifflin Street area.
"I've been hosting these meetings for 10 years now in this room," Verveer said. "I have found that these meetings prior to the annual block party are helpful for both the Police Department and certainly all the residents who will hopefully be having a good time this weekend."
In order to have a good time, however, Ron Schwenn, division chief of the Fire Department, advised students to keep their safety in mind at all times.
"I'm not your mother, I'm not your father, but I'm asking you to think about your well-being during this weekend," Schwenn said.
Officer Mike Schroeder agreed that safety is the biggest issue and assured residents that safety was the main objective for police officers and firefighters at the block party.
"No one's out there to stop you from having a good time, but just don't attract extra attention to yourselves," Schroeder said. "Don't hang signs up that you're selling beer."
Central District Captain Mary Schauf of the MPD expanded on the issue of alcohol, making it clear to residents that selling alcohol in one's home without a permit is a $676 fine per person. Schauf also warned students to use caution when inviting guests into their home, since residents are responsible for the people on their property.
According to Schauf, the biggest change in the police department's role in the block party is the addition of four officers mounted on horses.
The increased police presence will be monitoring people in the street, as well as those at surrounding house parties, MPD Sgt. Dave McCaw said.
"If [the party] is small, you're of age, and no one is paying anything for anything, then you're going to be good," McCaw said.
However, carrying an open alcoholic beverage onto the street, or even onto the sidewalk, is an act that could easily get students into trouble, McCaw said, regardless of their age.
McCaw also stressed the issue of noise level, as officers will be writing tickets for music that can be heard from more than three houses away. The fine for unreasonable audible activity costs $172.
"What we really don't want is the battle of the stereos," Schauf said. "We ask that it be pretty contained and people keep it within a three-house radius, and at 8 o'clock we ask people to start taking it inside."
According to Schauf, officers will begin roaming the Mifflin Street area early Saturday morning, and there will be an increased presence of officers shortly after 10 a.m.
University police will also help manage the event.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 3:27am):
cops suck. "to protect and serve?"
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 3:51am):
the cops can go fuck themselves.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 7:25am):
Dear Students,
We don't give a shit if you have fun on saturday, all we care about it making money from fines. BUT DON'T YOU try to make money by selling cups, you'll just get a fine. We don't want to be there anyway, so we're trying make make it suck so you don't come out.
The Madison Police Dept.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 8:27am):
I find if funny how people are so quick to bash the roll of law enforcement in our communities. Perhaps those people should examine what it is in their lives that leads them to harbor this ill-will towards the men and women whose PRIMARY MISSION is to protect YOU, the civilian population.
Next time you get assaulted or if your TV is stolen, make sure to leave the police out of it.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 10:33am):
very contrsuctive comments
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 12:00pm):
cops do suck and their fines are outrageously high.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 12:12pm):
Yeah, how dare those cops enforce the laws! Obviously, they've made up these laws themselves, and they personally profit by writing tickets. It would be better for a public street to be turned into a bacchanalia for the benefit of some 19-year-old pseudo-adults who have no clue what the Miffland Block Party was about. Of course, if one of you jackasses fell off a porch or got alcohol poisoning or was the victim of an alcohol-fueled assault, I'm sure you and you parents wouldn't hesistate to sue the police and fire department if they weren't there to take care of you during your carefully orchestrated rebellion.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 12:17pm):
the cops HAVE to say those things. It will be the same thing as every year, one or two houses will get screwed... it is a gamble that everyone on the street will take.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 12:39pm):
As an alum who lived adjacent at the very end of Mifflin and Bedford, I have to say that we were thankful for the police presence at every Mifflin St. Block Party while I was there. For those of you attending, you should stop and thank an officer of the law for doing a thankless job whenever you see one for keeping your little college lifestyle from being overrun by the "real world."
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 1:01pm):
Well if they fine for hearing bands more than 3 houses done that would be terrible. You can hear a persons lawnmower 3 houses down, so obviously you will hear a drumset. Sound carries.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 2:29pm):
White entitlement and teenage narcissism merge so well at this school.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 4:07pm):
"men and women whose PRIMARY MISSION is to protect YOU"
I agree, i mean that heavy cup of beer in my hand might cause severe injury if i try to carry it on the street.
Get rid of the troublemakers and leave the rest alone.
Anonymous (May 3, 2007 @ 4:23pm):
Compared to a lot of law enforcement, the madison police, I have always felt were some the best, being reasonable and understanding that we are going to party while still trying to look out for the safety of everyone on campus, how many cops will take pictures with a bunch of drunks on halloween/mifflin? Thanks and keep up the good work!
Anonymous (May 4, 2007 @ 12:30am):
Can't wait to see the horses!
Anonymous (May 4, 2007 @ 12:30am):
Can't wait to see the horses!
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