Mifflin St. Block Party: Verveer seeks changes
Ald. Mike Verveer wants to find an organizing group for the Mifflin Street Block Party that would turn it into a celebration instead of a beer party.
And he says he has encountered some interest from representatives of the mayor's office and the Madison Police Department.
"I had that conversation in the last several days, and during and after the party, with Joel Plant from the mayor's office and Capt. Mary Schauf, commander of the central police district," Verveer said Sunday, the day after the party resulted in more than 400 arrests.
"It is apparent that this year, unlike past years, city officials besides myself are interested in providing some semblance of organization or sponsorship for this inevitable annual event."
It is apparent the block party, which originated in 1969 and used to be more of a musical event, will go on in some form, said Verveer, who represents the area on the Madison City Council.
"If the city tried to do anything really crazy in trying to end it, that would just be asking for trouble and a disturbance such as we've seen at some past Halloweens or the 1996 or 1969 Mifflin parties," the alderman said.
The event Saturday was quite peaceful, he stressed, yet the fact that hundreds of young people were arrested gives the impression that there was a riotous disturbance.
"Sure, there were plenty of people violating alcohol ordinances in terms of drinking beer on the street or sidewalk and several of those were underage, but when you think about what the offenses are and the number of people taken away by police, there has to be a better way," Verveer said.
Noting that most of those arrested received what he said is a $298 fine for an open intoxicant and that some received another $172 fine for underage drinking as well, the city could receive more than $100,000 in fines.
"That's a lot of money. I have had tons of calls and e-mails from people who were arrested at the block party. That happens every year," he said.
"Though that could be a comfort for Madison taxpayers, it is a tremendous waste of city resources."
Police expenses will not be overly high, according to Verveer, who said officials have merely changed assigned days off to the day of the block party instead of paying overtime.
It is silly to continue a policy of saying the party is illegal, so there is a pro-arrest zero tolerance for any ordinance violations, Verveer said.
"It is permissible to consume alcohol on private property, so police concentrate on the street. Dozens of people are picked off by the cops and escorted to the transport vans in plastic handcuffs," he added.
"Many state they either didn't know the rules or had one foot on the sidewalk or were pushed. I'm not blaming the cops or saying the arrests are not valid, but it's ludicrous to continue this approach."
He is looking for a happy medium with a sponsor that could control the party, as has been done with the riotous Halloween celebration that was tamed by being structured, contained in certain boundaries and sponsored, with music provided.
"We have turned the corner on Halloween and had a great relationship with Frank Productions in 2007 to manage it," Verveer said. "My hope is that we could replicate that."
Perhaps a student organization or a community organization or a private business could take charge, he said.
George Twigg, spokesman for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said that the mayor would welcome an organizer stepping forward. "The proposal would have to be a credible one that satisfies all the public safety issues related to the event," he said. "I don't know whether ASM (Associated Students of Madison) or some other organization would be interested, but we would be glad to work with anyone."
Verveer said he also has an open mind.
"I am not excited about gating off this event and charging admission, but a sponsor would need to make money to cover costs. It is more realistic to hope the city would grant permission for a beer garden in a structured, supervised setting," he said.
Throughout much of its history, the block party was sponsored by the Mifflin Street Community Co-op, he stressed.
"I hope we can go back to having stages on the street and good music, so the focus of the annual event is not just beer," Verveer said.
Council members would be likely to support the idea, he said, though he has not yet discussed it with Police Chief Noble Wray.
"Every year I hear from students interested in organizing and working with police and every year we are turned away. Hopefully next year it will be different."
PJ Sliner
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Changes are being pondered for organizing the Mifflin Street Block Party.
