[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Madison Police Department officials say they are ready to regulate Saturday's 38th annual Mifflin Street Block Party and are prepared to make upward of 500 arrests.

Police have been preparing for a larger party, as weather reports originally called for sunny skies and warm temperatures. However, more recent forecasts show highs in the 60s with a chance of storms, but police still expect many people to attend the event and have been providing Mifflin residents with tips on how to avoid tickets.

"We're getting a large number of phone calls from people down there that have gotten in trouble for previous parties, and they're actually contacting us about ways of how to keep people away from their property," said Lt. Joe Balles of the MPD's Central District, which will be policing the event. "I think that is somewhat unprecedented."

Balles said police will especially be focusing on open intoxicant, glass bottle and public urination violations. Officials will also be utilizing a "three-house" rule in addressing noise violations.

"Basically, if we can hear your party from three houses away, considering all the other noises that will be out that day, we're going to have a problem with your party," Balles said.

Central District Cpt. Mary Schauf, who will be present at the block party, said Mifflin residents who choose to throw parties can avoid many problems by only letting people they know well into their homes.

Although many residents see the Mifflin Street Block Party as a Madison tradition, Balles said he would rather not see the party occur. He also said he is happy media reports of this event have been relatively small, as that will hopefully help keep high school students and out-of-towners from crowding the event.

City Council President Mike Verveer, whose district includes the section of Mifflin Street where the block party will take place, said he is optimistic about the event.

"Unlike the cops, I do find some redeeming qualities for this block party," Verveer said. "It provides students an opportunity to blow off steam and have a good time — it's the last time before many of them have to buckle down and prepare for finals and papers and projects."

But Verveer, who also serves as assistant district attorney, warned students about the fines they will receive if they do not follow city ordinances. For instance, carrying an open intoxicant onto the sidewalk or street carries a $298 fine. People caught on Mifflin Street with glass bottles — which were banned by the City Council for the event — will also face a $298 fine.

Verveer also encourages students to "leave their fake IDs at home," as the police will conduct a search of everyone arrested. Possessing a fake ID will result in a $424 fine.

"What happens each year is, literally, a few hundred people are arrested, put in handcuffs, taken in vans down to the City County Building, have citations issued to them, and are released," Verveer said. "Most people who are arrested by the cops are not arrested on private property at all. They are arrested on the sidewalk."

Verveer also said the majority of those arrested have received more than one ticket because they usually turn out to be underage as well.

Balles encouraged Mifflin residents who will not be at home during the event to take notes about where they were and, preferably, have people who can vouch for them. This way, if that person's roommates throw a party and receive a ticket, he or she will not be subject to fines.

This will be the first year police have used mounted patrol to police the event. Four officers will be on horseback, which the police hope will help maintain order.