Police arrested 200 underage drinkers at a party across the street from a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dormitory Thursday.
Police arrived on the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. to find 300 people attending a basement party. Two hundred of the partygoers were arrested by Whitewater authorities. The 200-person arrest is the largest ever made by the Whitewater Police Department.
According to reports, police knew the residence was a common party spot and had already hosted a number of large parties during the beginning of the school year.
The five residents of the house face charges of furnishing alcohol to minors and the sale of alcoholic beverages without a license. Combined fines for the five could total in excess of $50,000. The names of those charged will not be released until formal charges are issued.
In a similar incident involving University of Wisconsin students in March 2000, a Mardi Gras-themed party on Mifflin Street resulted in 56 citations totaling nearly $20,000 for selling alcoholic beverages.
The students hosting the party were later relieved from much of the fine and ordered to pay $690 instead.
“I think the [Whitewater] party was a concern from a safety aspect for the students,” said Barbara Jones, assistant chancellor for student affairs at UW-Whitewater. “When you stick 300 students in the basement of a duplex, it’s a little scary if a fire breaks out.”
Jones said she hopes the actions of the police and the university’s support of their actions set a precedent for the rest of the year.
“We want students to recognize that they have a responsibility to make good choices when they are going out,” Jones said. “The police felt like this was an important statement for them to make, and we support that. ”
The Whitewater Police Department has issued a number of programs designed at combating underage-drinking parties at Whitewater.
One program involves a neighborhood-living brochure, warning residents when a party may occur. The department also conducts special operations “which seek to target chronic or problematic drinking parties.”
In a press release, the Whitewater Police Department warned of the considerable charges and fines residents could face if they hold a party of their own.
“Our warning is that people who decide to participate in this type of activity face significant charges and fines,” the release said. “In addition, they could face eviction or civil liability for the actions of the partygoers. Not to mention that the police might visit their next party.”
Brian Mattmiller, director of news and public affairs at Whitewater, said the university “has a variety of programs that are either state- or federally funded that help young people make healthy decisions.”
