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More cameras to watch party
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by Pedro Oliveira Jr.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
As the Mifflin Street Block Party nears, the Madison Police Department said Wednesday they are increasing the number of cameras to monitor the celebration May 3.
According to MPD Captain Mary Schauf, police will move cameras from State Street and place them throughout Mifflin Street. The cameras have zooming capabilities and high resolution and could be used for evidence and investigative purposes, she added.
“They want to know what’s going on, how many people are out there,” said Ald. Mike Verveer, whose District 4 includes Mifflin Street. “Secondary use is for investigative use if something of criminal nature does happen.”
In 2005, UW football player Booker Stanley was arrested and suspended from the team after being involved in physical altercations with two different people during the party. The cameras would help not only identify the location of an incident like this, but also provide evidence during prosecution, Verveer added.
Police and fire department officials will be monitoring the street from the MFD’s administrative building on West Johnson Street, and on-site officers will be notified if a problem is spotted, Schauf said.
Despite high numbers of young drinkers, underage drinking will not be MPD’s main concern when monitoring the block party.
“I just can’t imagine that the cops would even consider the expense of putting these cameras to help in writing alcohol citation,” Verveer said. “That doesn’t make sense, and I’m sure if they were using the cameras for this purpose — that would be silly.”
Last year’s block party had a spike of more than 100 in the number of arrests, most of which were alcohol-related. The party had a reported attendance of approximately 10,000.
This year, police are hoping to better locate cameras throughout the street and use them to identify and deal with possible incidents during the block party.
Though the number of cameras is yet to be determined, Verveer said police are going to place them on key corners and light polls. Last year’s party had one camera on top of the Metropolitan Place condominium towers, on the corner of Mifflin and Broom streets, but visibility was limited because trees blocked certain areas of the street.
According to Schauf, MPD won’t have any “fancy” equipment beside the cameras, but should have a couple hundred officers on the streets to identify underage drinking and other problems, like glass bottles or loud music.
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 9:32am):
Dear Mary Schauf,
Let the loud music go. It is a block party, and parties usually have music. So lighten up and maybe try to enjoy yourself at this party, instead of trying to ruin everyone else's good time.
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 10:27am):
This story should probably say By Abby Sears or spoon-fed via Mike Verveer.
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 11:23am):
its "light pole" not "light poll"
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 12:11pm):
welcome to a police state!
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 1:31pm):
Big brother is watching
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 3:28pm):
Having security video can just as easily exonerate the innocent...so it goes both ways, paranoids. MSBP has always been a narc free zone. Just don't throw a bottle or start a fight, right?
MSBP had been a laid back affair for decades until some obnoxious punks decided to get violent. I wouldn't blame the cops for wanting to avoid that mess again.
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 4:45pm):
Feelin guilty, feelin scared, hidden cameras everywhere
Stop! hold on. stay in control
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