Ordinances concerning underage drinking, open alcohol containers and noise will be enforced at Saturday's Mifflin Street Block Party, city officials said at a meeting Monday.
In a series of presentations, members of Madison law enforcement stressed the need to prevent the overcrowding and fire risks that are common to the party. They also laid ground rules for parking and glass bottle restrictions on Mifflin Street.
Safety was a common theme of the meeting, and each of the officers and fire officials present addressed different safety concerns of the party.
Let's see if we can adopt this as the motto for this coming Saturday, ‘Everybody goes home safe,'\ Fire Marshall Ed Ruckriegel said.
The meeting was designed as a question and answer session for Mifflin Street residents and served as a way for them to express concerns to the police and fire departments.
""I think that it was nice to have a meeting to clear up any confusion there was between the residents and the police department,"" said Alex Roveda, UW-Madison sophomore and Mifflin Street resident who attended the meeting.
The preemptive meeting has taken place for nearly a decade and, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, has helped stop many of the problems that used to occur during the annual block party.
""The real low point for the modern block party was in 1996,"" Verveer said. ""We had a riot and was the most inhumane behavior I have seen in my life.""
Verveer said the meeting helps Mifflin Street residents know what to expect going into the event.
For example, Central District Police Captain Mary Schauf said all Madison laws concerning drinking would be in effect for the party.
""One of the common misconceptions is that it gives a waiver to the city ordinances,"" Schauf said. ""This is not true and all of the rules apply.""
Still, many of the students at the meeting wanted to know how aggressively police would manage the party. Questions ranged from controlling guest behavior to setting up beer pong tables.
In response, Schauf insisted the police would not go after a favorite pastime of the party.
""Drinking games, even though they promote alcohol misuse, still are legal,"" she said.
Although students made up the majority of the meeting's attendees, several older residents in the community were there as well. They urged safety but also encouraged residents to have fun.
""I have been to every single block party since 1969,"" said Rosemary Lee, a resident of the area who addressed the students in attendance. ""Collectively, I love you all. I want you to stay safe.""
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