OPINION & EDITORIAL
This trick’s no treat
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Hold the pepper (October 26, 2006)
- A sigh of relief (October 30, 2006)
- Scare tactics (November 1, 2005)
- Continuing a UW tradition (August 8, 2006)
- A Hollow-een (October 26, 2007)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Monday, September 4, 2006
We all want Madison's Halloween party to end safely, to help Madison residents foot the bill and to keep a tradition alive. But after four years of pepper spray and riot gear, it's clear something needs to be done to change a tradition that's headed straight into the toilet.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has attempted to do just that by introducing an elaborate plan to limit access to State Street and charge admission in order to quell violence and offset costs. We agree in large part with the plan's stated goals but have serious concerns about the consequences of effectively caging a group of intoxicated revelers.
Attempting to go from an almost completely unrestricted street party to complete lockdown with little to no real-life experience is, quite frankly, a recipe for disaster.
In addition to the logistical issues of both selling and distributing a set number of tickets to the event, controlling entry and exit at just three State Street access points will surely prove chaotic.
What's more, blocking the remaining side-street entrances with flimsy orange plastic fencing is asking for trouble from a group harboring some partiers who, in years past, have had no problem breaking through storefronts and lighting fires.
Finally, potentially turning away a large group of students and nonresidents and forcing them, en masse and hell-bent on partying, into surrounding residential neighborhoods is irresponsible and unwise. Patrolling both State Street and Langdon Street — or some other impromptu location — might be impossible.
So, the proposal needs work.
Madison faced a similar situation in 1996 when the Mifflin Street Block Party turned sour. Rioters started a large bonfire and threw glass bottles at police officers and fire fighters. In 1997 and 1998, the party was limited to porches and the Mifflin Street party was, effectively, dead.
To make the proposal for 2006 work, the mayor needs to do more than invite a handful of Associated Students of Madison officials to a meeting or two. The City Council should not finalize plans before adequate input is gathered from the student body.
Only the party's patrons themselves can determine a way to overcome the proposal's egregious shortcomings — and, additionally, they need the incentive of an ultimatum to make things work this year.
If things proceed downhill this year, Halloween on State Street should be put on hiatus.
Stopping Halloween isn't quite as straightforward as dispersing crowds on Mifflin, however; bar owners certainly wouldn't be convinced to shut down for an entire weekend, and hotels wouldn't be happy about putting the kibosh on a busy holiday.
The city would need UW's help.
A long weekend — or a fall break — coinciding conveniently with Oct. 31 might just do the trick.
And, just as the Mifflin Street Block Party has risen from its own ashes, perhaps Halloween could come back as a safe, fun event in a few years — something some of us might actually enjoy attending.
