Madison city leaders urged University of Wisconsin students to be leaders in their efforts to make the State Street Halloween celebration safe and fun at a press conference Wednesday.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said he is cautiously optimistic the Madison Police Department's plans and efforts will be successful, but the outcome of the weekend party is not solely dependent on the MPD.
"The success of the event ultimately comes down to the individuals who attend it," Cieslewicz said. "It does not matter how extensive our plans are and how many officers we have if those who attend the event do not cooperate. I call on UW students to take personal responsibility in the success of the event."
Police Chief Noble Wray echoed the mayor's sentiments, saying he hopes problems subside this year. In hoping disturbances will not be the prominent feature of this weekend's event, Wray highlighted indicators necessary for a success story when a three-year history of problems looms.
"Obviously, public safety is key. We are there, number one, to prevent death and injuries to people," Wray said. "[D]estruction of property is a factor. We'll also be looking for a high degree of voluntary compliance. When it's all said and done, a success indicator is that we do not want to have a forced ending to the event."
Madison Fire Department Chief Debra Amesqua said though MFD may not be constantly involved with the happenings on State Street, the department's hopes for the event are the same as everyone else's.
"Our job is to put out fires and provide emergency care," Amesqua said. "But our greater goal is to prevent behavior that endangers the public's safety."
Wray articulated the fear accompanying an unsuccessful event when he recounted events from last year's Halloween.
"We were sitting in the command post, and it's hard to recapture the feeling you get when you're watching this fire expand and there's students and young people that are really in harm's way," Wray said. "One of the things I thought of as chief of police is that I would hate to have to call someone's parents and explain how their child was either killed or seriously injured."
The police chief said avoiding a repeat of last year would be a personal success indicator for this year's party.
Over the past three years, only a small group of people caused the problems associated with the State Street party, he added.
Wray also said 90 percent of people out and about — the ones who voluntarily cooperate with police instruction — will be treated cordially by officers. Students should be aware of the glass free zones throughout the greater State Street area. Carrying glass on specifically marked streets will result in a fine.
But police urge all partygoers to be aware the MPD will crack down on small groups causing any problems.
"It is our goal to deal with the people that engage in that type of behavior swiftly and with the full weight of the law," Wray said.
Amesqua said the MFD completely backs the police department's plans.
"The City of Madison Fire Department views the aggressive behavior surrounding the Halloween event as a serious threat to the public health and safety of the community," Amesqua said. "[W]e support the city's initiative to keep the events of the Halloween weekend safe for all of us."
According to Wray, accompanying the police force's hope for cooperation from revelers will be the largest police staff and the most extensive plan for any event the city has ever seen.
There will be more than 400 officers staffed Saturday night, and no event has ever been staffed with more than 400 officers in Madison.
Wray said the MPD will be using a Managed Density Plan with four goals in mind. The plan seeks to limit access to State Street, control the density of people on the street, manage house parties and use strategies to keep crowds moving.
"We feel that if we accomplish these goals, our officers will be in [a] better position to deal with any disorderly behavior," Wray said.
