Mayor Paul Soglin and other Madison officials want to give police authority to quickly shut down dangerous or rowdy house parties, fine hosts and attendees, and hold landlords accountable for future problems. But some say the proposed law is too tough. Under the proposal, police could declare a party a nuisance if attendees are violating one of 17 existing laws, including providing liquor without a license, providing alcohol to underage or intoxicated people, obstructing entrances or stairways to buildings, disturbing the peace and overcrowding. The proposal puts a spotlight on kegs, letting police deem a gathering a nuisance if an open keg is visible from a public sidewalk, street or neighboring property and one of the 17 existing laws are also being violated. Ald. Scott Resnick, who represents the student-dominated 8th District near UW-Madison, is cool to the proposal.
Office of Strategic Communication