Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Madison police received an earful Tuesday when they met with State Street business owners during their monthly meeting.
The Greater State Street Business Association, expecting a larger turnout than usual, moved its meeting to the Madison Civic Center, 211 State St., and business owners came in full force, most to voice their concerns with the Halloween destruction.
Central District Police Captain Luis Yudice spoke to the group, explaining how 250 police officers were dispatched on State Street and in the surrounding area to maintain order and prevent and control \flash points"" within the crowd. When business owners complained of the police force's lack of response to the vandalism, Yudice was quick to defend his officers.
""Once the crowd has flashed, any police action could create a reaction that could be potentially much worse,"" he said.
The main issue of the meeting focused on bar time, when Halloween riots have been triggered the past two years. While some business owners have mentioned staggering bar times on State Street during the Halloween weekend, others proposed keeping the bars open until 6 a.m., a common practice on New Years Eve.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz reacted positively to the suggestion and explained the city would need special exemption from the state Legislature. Another attendee recommended displaying signs in store windows with slogans such as ""Party Peacefully.""
Jennifer Van Wort, owner of Dick & Jane, 553 State St., was very vocal in expressing her anger. She protested the event brought more harm than good to the area.
""To say this was still a good business weekend really pisses me off. I didn't make any money,"" she said.
Van Wort also stated the only businesses who profited over the weekend were bars, restaurants and hotels and warned of the results should this activity be allowed to continue.
""Along with a few chain stores, those will be who's left on State Street,"" she said.
Most of the damage to stores was done along the 500 block, an area that became the most congested during the night. Police mentioned people within the second floor University Inn, 441 N. Frances St., may have been responsible for igniting the crowd, but added there was little they could do to prevent them from standing in their room windows.
""We still have to abide by the Constitution in telling people what they can and can't do,"" said State Street Neighborhood Officer Mike Edler.
Edler mentioned some hotel visitors have already booked rooms for the same time next year.
After hearing all the facts, Cieslewicz issued a warning to future Halloween partiers.
""For the small majority of students involved in violent activity: stay away,"" he said.
