City Preps for Mifflin Street Block Party
by Megan Costello
City Reporter
In light of past riots and Halloween incidents, the city of Madison is working with the city Police Department and University of Wisconsin Police to ensure safety during the three-night long Mifflin Street Block Party.
The MPD is enlisting the assistance of the UWPD for this year’s block party. The security surrounding the block party will be primarily covered by the MPD because the location affects not only students but also other Madison residents.
The MPD generally calls in mutual aid from the UWPD for special events such as Halloween and block party events.
“For big planned events, the MPD will ask for help,” Capt. Brian Bridges of the UWPD said. “There are many students living [on Mifflin], and it’s close to campus so we like to reach out and help.”
In the past, both police branches have worked together on projects such as last fall’s Ohio State football game, where potential issues of safety were at stake for students and residents.
The UWPD will provide assistance by bringing additional equipment as well as ticketing, arresting and transporting unruly citizens. Currently, the UWPD is planning on sending one platoon of about 20 officers to assist the MPD during the Mifflin Street Block Party, according to Bridges.
“It will help to have a higher number of officers present,” Bridges said.
Students agreed safety is the number one issue of concern regarding the festivities on Mifflin.
“Last year, the police definitely had a presence but it was more towards safety and less towards arrests,” UW sophomore Rob Reck said.
Lieutenant Mary Schauf of MPD said the main issue with safety on Mifflin Street starts with the residents.
Officers go door-to-door and ask residents to control their guests during parties because incidences, such as sexual assault, have occurred in the past. Schauf urged people not hesitate to ask for assistance from the police during such situations.
“We’re being proactive and encouraging owners to take responsibility in safety,” Schauf said.
Other safety concerns include injury from broken glassware on the streets. A recent ban imposed by the City Council will prohibit glass in public areas during the event. The city will combat the issue by providing more disposal bins and containers on the streets.
“Broken glass and intoxicated people create a dangerous situation,” Schauf said.
Another large concern for police and firefighters is the danger of older buildings and houses potentially becoming overloaded.
“A lot of people hang out on porches and can overload them,” Schauf said of the aging balconies located up and down the street. “We send property owners a notification in writing if a building inspection is unsafe.”
UW student Vance Forrest said he and his roommates plan on taking extra care to keep the situation at their Mifflin Street residence under control.
“I plan on keeping everything locked and triple locked,” Forrest said. “We’re keeping it under control. Our house has taken enough beating over the past years.”
With an approximate 80 MPD officers covering the block party, Schauf encouraged students to keep the Mifflin Street environment under control.