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How Much Did Halloween Riots Cost This Year?

Area Jurisdictions Spend Nearly Half A Million Dollars

Posted: 9:55 am CST November 18, 2004Updated: 11:57 am CST November 18, 2004

The numbers are in, and controlling the State Street crowds on Halloween cost nearly a half million dollars.

Police arrested 519 over the Halloween weekend, mostly for disorderly conduct, underage drinking and open intoxicants.

Police estimate the fines will total about $125,000.

But that's hardly a dent in the police costs. Madison alone spent more than $255,000, News 3 reported.

Costs By Jurisdiction

  • UW Police - $120,043
  • Dane County Sheriff - $89,712
  • Middleton Police - $4,055
  • Madison Police $255,000 Total = $469,347

    Costs for the Capitol police, the state patrol and horse patrol officers are still being totaled, so the price tag is sure to go up.

    Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said police did an excellent job of handling the "melee," but he's put out the word he wants people to stay away from downtown Madison next Halloween. The mayor blamed Maxim magazine and Sports Illustrated for promoting the event as a reason to riot.

    This was the third year of recent trouble on State Street. In 2002, police used pepper spray to stop a riot during the Halloween party. Last year, revelers smashed windows and flipped two cars, causing about $100,000 of damage. This year, police again used pepper spray to clear crowds of rowdy, fire-starting revelers.

    "I have had enough of placing our police officers and firefighters in danger," Cieslewicz said."I have had enough of the black eye these disturbances give to the reputation of our city. I want to send a very clear message to everyone who came to Madison to cause trouble this weekend: Stay away next year."

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