OPINION & EDITORIAL
The block is hot
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:
- Madison's Downtown: The Musical (May 1, 2008)
- The real 'State of the ASM' (April 29, 2008)
- The drive of shame (April 28, 2008)
- Block busters (April 23, 2008)
- Gravy train: Attack of the Clones (April 21, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Right for a week (May 2, 2002)
- Anything short of a riot (April 27, 2006)
- Block busters (April 23, 2008)
- Rock around the block (September 8, 2005)
- Why don't we do it in the road? (March 30, 2005)
Share This:
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Friday, May 2, 2008
This Saturday, thousands of University of Wisconsin students will converge on Mifflin Street to celebrate its annual block party.
Many Mifflin residents will open their homes and backyards to friends looking for one last bash before final exams begin. Others will offer musical stylings from the comfort of their front porch to curious onlookers who roam the street looking for a good keg or friendly brat vendor.
It has been 12 years since the party was marred by widespread violence, but students should still expect a heavy police presence. Revelers and party hosts must take sensible precautions to avoid being hit with hefty fines or endangering themselves and others.
At this year’s safety meeting, Fire Marshall Ed Ruckriegal made clear that law enforcement would move quickly to break up overcrowded parties that may lead to porch collapses. Once people are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a house or on a porch, it is considered a safety risk.
Partygoers must also be careful not to distribute booze to minors or carry open containers of alcohol onto the sidewalk or street. Those who violate these rules will be taken to the City-County Building in plastic handcuffs and assessed a fine. Further, music that can be clearly heard from three houses away will be subject to a $172 noise violation ticket. The Madison Police Department has promised to warn houses in danger of attracting a noise citation, so students would be wise to heed these warnings, rather than pay hundreds of dollars to make some drunken political statement. Finally, a glass ban will be in effect during the party, so party hosts should seriously consider stocking up on plastic cups.
Of course, we believe the police department’s insistence on enforcing the noise ordinance and the open container law so stringently during a neighborhood block party is wholly inappropriate. It is unfortunate police officials have insisted on arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for what are usually careless, yet harmless mistakes. At this point, all that Mifflin Street partygoers can do is look out for friends who may forget the rules and prevent uninvited houseguests from spoiling the celebration or putting students in danger.
If we make a concerted effort to take care of one another, there is no reason Mifflin 2008 can’t be a resounding success for UW students’ safety and pocketbooks. Let’s not forget to have some fun, too.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
