For a third consecutive year, the annual Halloween celebration ended in less-than-stellar form. And despite the fact this year's \disturbances"" resulted in considerably less damage than those of years past, both the city and university are reviewing their plans for this event in an effort to prevent further incidents which, by all accounts, put a damper on the celebration's intended spirit.
At a press conference Sunday, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz credited Associated Students of Madison for lessening the potential for riotous behavior by providing free pizza as well as alternatives to aimlessly roaming on State Street.
""We got a lot of positive feedback on the food and costume contest and the daytime events,"" said Kristina Mueller, ASM Halloween committee chair and UW-Madison sophomore. ""I think [the events] really helped to extend the festive atmosphere that went throughout Saturday night.""
UW-Madison spokesperson John Lucas agreed, saying the university tried to balance the evening's high alcohol content with an opportunity for students to eat and, in turn, dilute the effects of intoxication.
""It seemed like [ASM was] giving away a lot of pizza toward that goal,"" he said. ""We thought that it was successful from that perspective.""
Anything the university can do to deter people from turning to destructive behavior, including putting up $17,000 for free pizza, will likely go far in creating a more successful weekend.
Still, that riots or riot-like happenings have poisoned the fun three years running has officials doing some serious reconsideration regarding the future of Halloween in Madison.
""During the next several weeks I will ask city staff, all of our law enforcement partners and others to explore potential strategies to discourage the Halloween party on State Street,"" Cieslewicz said.
The possibility of a total cancellation of Halloween has some UW-Madison students questioning the practicality and effectiveness of such measures.
""I think based on [Madison's] reputation ... people are going to continue to come,"" UW-Madison sophomore Ryan Kuehn said. ""It's not going to be whether [the event is] going to happen or not, it's going to be where.""
Kuehn and UW-Madison senior Justin Wirth both speculated Madison's residents and visitors alike would simply find other places to celebrate should the city discontinue the State Street festivities. Both said this would likely create an even greater safety concern.
""[People will be] dispersed all around the campus getting drunk at house parties which can be even more dangerous [than a concentrated crowd on State Street],"" Wirth said.
