Safety plans in place for Mifflin Street Block Party

MADISON, Wis. - Multiple city agencies are working together ahead of this year's Mifflin Street Block Party.

Around 10,000 people are expected to attend the annual celebration.

Building Inspection

Building inspectors started checking the area in February as part of their annual preparation for the event. Inspectors are limited to checking things that can be seen from public view, but they have been able to examine the exterior structural integrity of porches, balconies, stairs and hand rails.

"We look at things we can see from the public sidewalk. When we identify a problem, we require those repairs be made before the block party," Building Inspection Director Matt Tucker said.

Around 60 properties were looked at this year. Inspectors wrote 44 notices of violations. As of Wednesday, 39 properties made the required repairs and a couple of owners asked for a repair extension, which will be due by the end of this workweek.

Building inspectors will go out on Friday for their final inspection.

As is the case most years with this event, they say they are most worried about a balcony collapse.

"The balconies in this area are old. If they get over occupied it's a concern for us," Tucker said.

Several people were injured when a balcony collapsed in 2022.

Madison Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department will have 96 fire/EMS personnel ready to respond on Saturday.

"We have bolstered staffing of our personnel and apparatus, and have moved the apparatus to locations to be most effective," said Division Chief Dan Williams.

Code Enforcement Officers from the Fire Prevention Division will help patrol officers monitor building and balcony occupancy limits throughout the day. Code Enforcement Officers went door to door in the weeks leading up to the block party to do preventative education and outreach.

"If you are in a space that you cannot easily move through, it's probably overcrowded. If you have to ask five people to move aside so you can get somewhere inside a home, it's time to move along," said Madison Fire Marshal Bill Sullivan.

A temporary ban on the use of outdoor fire pits and grills is also in effect on Saturday.

Madison Police Department

As the crowd grows, Madison police often have to shut down W. Mifflin Street between Broom and Bedford streets.

There will be more than 150 officers assigned to monitor the block party, including dozens of officers on the Special Events Team. These are officers specifically trained in crowd management. This unit just held a full team training in preparation for this event.

Officers will be walking, biking, on horseback and using drones to patrol the area. Attendees are encouraged to reach out to any officer if they need help.

"Over the past few years, we've taken reports of sexual assaults, property damage, stolen items," said Captain Kipp Hartman, who currently oversees the Central District where the block party takes place.

The Madison Police Department also has the Amnesty Through Responsible Action policy, which would shield someone from being ticketed for underage drinking if they call for help during a medical emergency.

"We want people to have fun and create final college memories while being safe," Capt. Hartman said.

Officers went door to door on Wednesday talking with residents and property owners. They encouraged people to put up no trespassing signs, remove vehicles from the area and to lock up any valuables inside their homes.

A glass ban is in effect for the area for the day.

Officers and MFD's code enforcement officers will do their final walk-through of the area on Saturday morning.

Other safety tips

• Be careful of overcrowding on balconies and porches. If you sense a porch is overcrowded, move back into a house and encourage others to do the same.
• Don't accept drinks from people you don't know
• If you choose to drink, set a pace and set limits.
• Cooperate with officers and other first responders if you are contacted during Saturday
• Avoid climbing trees or light poles
• Remain with a friend at all times
• Remember officers are here to help you; reach out when needed