[media-credit name=’SUNDEEP MALLADI/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]It is not every day that college students discuss their house parties for the upcoming weekend with police officers before they even occur.

However, at a meeting Thursday night, Mifflin Street residents met with officers from the Madison Police Department and the Madison Fire Department to talk about issues — namely alcohol and noise level — that could arise at the block party this Saturday.

City Council President Mike Verveer, who represents District 4, facilitated the meeting, as he represents a large portion of the Mifflin Street area.

"I've been hosting these meetings for 10 years now in this room," Verveer said. "I have found that these meetings prior to the annual block party are helpful for both the Police Department and certainly all the residents who will hopefully be having a good time this weekend."

In order to have a good time, however, Ron Schwenn, division chief of the Fire Department, advised students to keep their safety in mind at all times.

"I'm not your mother, I'm not your father, but I'm asking you to think about your well-being during this weekend," Schwenn said.

Officer Mike Schroeder agreed that safety is the biggest issue and assured residents that safety was the main objective for police officers and firefighters at the block party.

"No one's out there to stop you from having a good time, but just don't attract extra attention to yourselves," Schroeder said. "Don't hang signs up that you're selling beer."

Central District Captain Mary Schauf of the MPD expanded on the issue of alcohol, making it clear to residents that selling alcohol in one's home without a permit is a $676 fine per person. Schauf also warned students to use caution when inviting guests into their home, since residents are responsible for the people on their property.

According to Schauf, the biggest change in the police department's role in the block party is the addition of four officers mounted on horses.

The increased police presence will be monitoring people in the street, as well as those at surrounding house parties, MPD Sgt. Dave McCaw said.

"If [the party] is small, you're of age, and no one is paying anything for anything, then you're going to be good," McCaw said.

However, carrying an open alcoholic beverage onto the street, or even onto the sidewalk, is an act that could easily get students into trouble, McCaw said, regardless of their age.

McCaw also stressed the issue of noise level, as officers will be writing tickets for music that can be heard from more than three houses away. The fine for unreasonable audible activity costs $172.

"What we really don't want is the battle of the stereos," Schauf said. "We ask that it be pretty contained and people keep it within a three-house radius, and at 8 o'clock we ask people to start taking it inside."

According to Schauf, officers will begin roaming the Mifflin Street area early Saturday morning, and there will be an increased presence of officers shortly after 10 a.m.

University police will also help manage the event.