Halloween's future in Madison is secure thanks in part to the Madison Police Department, but downtown commuters may feel a pinch from parking fines after Jan. 1, 2006.
The Madison Downtown Coordinating Committee heard a final Halloween wrap-up by the Madison Police Department Thursday and voted to recommend a fine increase for parking violations to the City Council.
Captain Mary Schauf provided a list of successful factors of Halloween 2005, including better communication between officers, fencing on Francis Street and lights on State Street.
'Reports from the street indicated that people felt safe,' Schauf said. 'Despite an increase in offenders being sent to the Dane County jail, people were generally well-behaved, and that's what the police want.'
Schauf said fewer people brought glass containers to State Street this year. This was cited as very beneficial in preventing property damage. Increases in communications and information management helped officers maintain order during a festival that has been notorious for chaotic activity in the last few years.
Committee members offered positive responses to the report and the future of Madison's unsponsored festival.
'Experience is the best teacher, and we're learning year to year,' committee chair Craig Crabb said.
The committee's discussion on a proposed increase in fees for parking violations addressed city budget concerns and downtown parking issues. The Mayor's proposal to double the current $10 fine for downtown meter parking and opposite day street sweeping in neighborhoods was met with general approval.
But, the timing of the proposal was a serious concern. Projected figures of an increase in fines have already been added to the city budget slated to go before the City Council in the coming weeks.
'Its too bad this has been introduced for discussion so late,' committee member Mary Lang Solinger said.
The city brings in around $5 million in revenue annually from violation fees with the proposed increase projected to add an additional $500,000.
The present $10 fee would be raised to $20, equaling the current fee imposed by campus parking enforcement, but still below cities like Milwaukee, which fines violators $30. Fees that will be increased have not been changed for years.
