NEWS
Mifflin arrests climb in 2007
JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo
BEN CLASSON/Herald photo
BEN CLASSON/Herald photo
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Also by Courtney Johnson:
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- Woods ahead in fundraising race (March 28, 2007)
- E-mail sparks privacy concern (October 9, 2007)
- Big Ten Network reaches deal with UW housing (August 31, 2007)
- City agency to run Halloween entertainment (May 10, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Rain can't stop Mifflin partygoers (May 1, 2006)
- City holds 2nd safety meeting (May 1, 2007)
- Biggest, most dangerous crowd since '96 riot hits Mifflin (May 6, 2002)
- City officials, Mifflin residents to discuss annual block party (April 29, 2002)
by Courtney Johnson
Monday, May 7, 2007
The number of arrests at the annual Mifflin Street Block Party increased by more than 100 people since last year, although the Madison Police Department estimates fewer people to have attended the event.
According to the MPD, 366 arrests were made Saturday, most of which were alcohol-related, in comparison to 263 arrests at last year's celebration. The MPD also estimates approximately 10,000 people attended this year's party, which is down from last year's estimated 15,000 in attendance.
Despite the increase in arrests, no major incidents were reported to the MPD.
"I think most everybody was able to have a good time," said Common Council President Mike Verveer, whose district includes West Mifflin Street. "To my knowledge, there were no serious injuries or property damage or any other incidents."
Verveer said one possible reason why this year's arrest numbers increased is that police officers did not have any serious incidents to take care of, and were able to focus on minor, alcohol-related offenses. Also, Verveer said in past years, police have become overwhelmed with the number of people at the party and stopped issuing minor citations to focus on keeping the crowd under control.
"The citations were almost all for very minor alcohol violations — the No. 1 offense was, of course, open intoxicants on a public street or sidewalk, followed by underage drinking," Verveer said. "This year, it was more like fishing in a barrel, and the police only briefly suspended citing people compared to other years."
Although attendance estimates have put the party at about 10,000, Verveer said he thinks that number is low.
According to the MPD, only seven of the 366 people arrested were taken to jail. Of that seven, one arrestee was former University of Wisconsin football player Kareem Timbers, who was a linebacker from 2001 to 2004.
According to Verveer, Timbers was originally arrested for a minor alcohol offense. However, while waiting to have his mug shot taken at the Police Processing Center, he fought with police and was taken to jail on criminal charges of resisting officers.
"I think it is very telling that the most serious incident, according to the cops, was something that didn't even occur on Mifflin Street," Verveer said.
While past years have seen problems with noise violations on Mifflin — often related to live bands or DJs performing at parties — the number of noise violations, live music and house parties decreased this year.
While these decreases led to a quieter block party, some attendees felt the event needed more activities other than drinking.
"I think it would be more positively viewed by the public if it was an event where there were activities instead of just a bunch of people with alcohol," UW senior Tiffany Atkins said. "You actually would have something to go there for, instead of just getting drunk."
Verveer said many Mifflin residents were too afraid to host large parties this year, in particular after attending his neighborhood meeting with the MPD last week. He said he was disappointed in the decrease of live music this year.
"I didn't see anywhere near as much music as I've seen in other years," Verveer said. "I think that really leaves the main theme to be just drinking, and I prefer to see more music."
This year's improved weather meant less of a mess after the party finished — last year's rain coupled with the close to 15,000 attendees made a wreck of the residential street.
However, members of the Blackhawk Church on the west side of Madison had once again cleaned up the litter and mess before most Mifflin residents woke up Sunday. The church has organized cleanup efforts for the block party for the last three years.
"It took up about an hour and a half or so, and we had about forty or so [UW] students that showed up to do it," said Matt Metzger, college pastor for the church.
Although the church is not located on campus, Metzger said Blackhawk Church likes to see itself as a university church because of the large amount of UW faculty, staff and students who attend its services.
In addition to the church cleanup, two Madison street sweepers were able to go over Mifflin Street by about 9 p.m., when the party had mostly died down. The streets were then open to traffic, and police officers left the neighborhood.
The police will contact houses that received citations in upcoming weeks, but Verveer said he has no knowledge of which citations will stick.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 8:54am):
Normally I don't encourage Goophers to come to our campus, but maybe if they weren't taking finals the ticket total could have been spread amongst them. Goophers....
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 12:03pm):
366 got arrested this time. I hope they rot in jail for the rest of the year! Ha ha stupid college kids!
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 12:25pm):
If you aren't interested in paying $300 for having a open container at Mifflin - I started a facebook group - "Arrested at Mifflin: How to beat the system", which is encouraging people to plead not guilty.
The premise of the fact the current court system is already overburdened and will not want to go to court for a minor offense. According to a friend who has worked as a police officer in Dayton, OH, in a case like this where so many people likely have the same court date, charges are likely to be dropped all together or at the very least a lesser charge and fine can be given through a pleas bargain.
Think about it.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 1:00pm):
12:25, pleading not guilty can work for most situations... if you know the arresting officer is not in court. For example, on a speeding ticket, the arresting officer will likely not come to court. If you challenge it, and he is not there, they have no way to introduce evidence and the case must be dismissed. Due to the volume of arrests, they might schedule them in one day or over the course of the week just to have everyone there.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 3:21pm):
what if all 300 people request a trial by jury? I'd like to see the system absorb that.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 3:32pm):
I was disapointed in the lack of music that was allowed. I understand trying to keep the noise down but when there is 10,000+ people in one area you didnt hear much of anything else besides talking and screams. I think the bands should be allowed to play and as loud as they want. How often will a band in college get to play infront of a crowd of 10,000.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 3:40pm):
Underage drinking is one thing but on these events schools know that kids are going to drink. The cops just like bustn peoples balls and making money so they keep there jobs. The amount of money they must of made around $200,000 just from the college kids. If a school is going to hold an event they should have help for drunk kids if needed not go out and find kids to make money off of.
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 7:30pm):
what the party already started
Anonymous (May 7, 2007 @ 10:41pm):
This is a major issue! 100 more arrests when there were 500 less people on a day everyone describes as peaceful?!! Are you kidding me? Being arrested can be a very traumatic experience!! And all so the city can make their money back. This is just sad. Aren't the police supposed to protect and serve the people?
Anonymous (May 9, 2007 @ 2:35pm):
You know its funny. I was there Kareem Timbers did not fight the cops, actually they tried to break his arm and some woman police officer kneed him in the crotch because he refused to blow. Isn't our right to refuse. 366 arrested, many arrested for nothing. Even halloween was a joke. This city is turning into garbage.
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