MADISON, Wis. -- Gating off State Street is just one idea Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and the University of Wisconsin student leaders have discussed to prevent a repeat of this year's Halloween mayhem.

HALLOWEEN 2004 ONLINE DISCUSSIONS WISC-TV Editorial: Pull The Plug On Halloween WISC-TV Editorial: Halloween - Let's Not Screw It Up WISC-TV Editorial: Noble Wray -- Trust Well Placed NEWS 3 VIDEO/SLIDESHOW Student's Video Shows Police Force On Halloween SLIDESHOW: See Images Of State Street Bash/Melee Halloween Revelers Wait For Trouble To Happen Mounted Patrols On State Street Halloween Precautions: Police Get Tough OFFICIAL NOTICES Road Closures/Alternate Routes Increased Fine Flyer No Bike Parking Allowed Warning To Hotel Guests Landlord Warning No Glass Allowed

Thousands of students rioted into the early morning hours on State Street, until police dispersed the crowd with pepper spray. The melee cost about $500,000. Police arrested more than 500 over the Halloween weekend, mostly for disorderly conduct, underage drinking and open intoxicants.

Cieslewicz said the problem revolves around too many out-of-town students and too much alcohol.

"We need to get very serious about that," Cieslewicz said. "It's something I want to look at very closely. I think the prevalence of alcohol on the street is really the fuel that has ignited (the disorder) over the last three years."

Madison police presented a report Thursday to Cieslewicz.

The report examined what five other college towns have done when faced with similar issues. Anyone interested can read the full report at: www.channel3000.com/news/4003826/detail.html

An idea from Boulder, Colo., is to shut down exits from Interstate 94. Another suggestion is to make the celebration for UW students only. That would require gates around State Street and students to show their identification cards.

Cieslewicz and the students said they are open to all ideas and plan to meet again in February.