Madison Halloween fun festivities...
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 11:02 am
Mayor on State Street Halloween:" I Have Had Enough. This Must Come to an End"
(Madison) Five thousand Halloween revelers get out of hand early Sunday morning on State Street around bar closing time, setting fires, throwing items and starting fights. Madison police moved in quickly with tear gas breaking up the crowd and making several arrests.
Responding to the third major Halloween disturbance in as many years, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz says enough is enough, clearly indicating something will have to change before next year.
The mayor praised law enforcement officials for the way they handled the situation throughout the night. While the damage may not have been as bad as last year, Madison police still had their hands full.
Police estimates put the overall State Street crowd during the night at 75,000 people but the main incident started when someone in the rowdy crowd of 5000 people, gathered in front of the University Inn, started what fire officials call a bonfire in the street.
That's when police moved in to make arrests and break up the crowd using tear gas. Fire officials say 14 people were treated on scene for tear gas exposure but police report no other significant physical injuries.
Overall one restaurant near State and Johnson Streets reported a broken window. At least three other locations reported what appeared to be minimal property damage.
Police report 250 arrests being made between 6:30pm Saturday and 4:00 am Sunday on various charges. 82 of those charged were visiting from out of state.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spent eight hours monitoring the situation at the State Street command post. He commended law enforcement officers and noted the situation would have been far worse had it not been for the preparation and rapid response of Chief Noble Wray and law enforcement.
The Mayor, however, is not happy that Madison has now had major disturbances on Halloween for three years in a row.
Cieslewicz said, "I have had enough. This must come to an end."
*** However, this is a college student tradition... hotels can't wait for halloween... mega business money!
(Madison) Five thousand Halloween revelers get out of hand early Sunday morning on State Street around bar closing time, setting fires, throwing items and starting fights. Madison police moved in quickly with tear gas breaking up the crowd and making several arrests.
Responding to the third major Halloween disturbance in as many years, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz says enough is enough, clearly indicating something will have to change before next year.
The mayor praised law enforcement officials for the way they handled the situation throughout the night. While the damage may not have been as bad as last year, Madison police still had their hands full.
Police estimates put the overall State Street crowd during the night at 75,000 people but the main incident started when someone in the rowdy crowd of 5000 people, gathered in front of the University Inn, started what fire officials call a bonfire in the street.
That's when police moved in to make arrests and break up the crowd using tear gas. Fire officials say 14 people were treated on scene for tear gas exposure but police report no other significant physical injuries.
Overall one restaurant near State and Johnson Streets reported a broken window. At least three other locations reported what appeared to be minimal property damage.
Police report 250 arrests being made between 6:30pm Saturday and 4:00 am Sunday on various charges. 82 of those charged were visiting from out of state.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spent eight hours monitoring the situation at the State Street command post. He commended law enforcement officers and noted the situation would have been far worse had it not been for the preparation and rapid response of Chief Noble Wray and law enforcement.
The Mayor, however, is not happy that Madison has now had major disturbances on Halloween for three years in a row.
Cieslewicz said, "I have had enough. This must come to an end."
*** However, this is a college student tradition... hotels can't wait for halloween... mega business money!
