MADISON, Wis. -- Madison police are putting a new emphasis on fighting house parties in an effort to curb Halloween rioting and violence.

Patrols for parties have been substantially increased to nearly 400 officers. This includes doubling the number of teams looking for house parties.

In 2004, two teams patrolled student neighborhoods. This year, four teams will be focused on areas where house parties are prevalent and where there are noise or violence complaints.

"We'll be stressing with those teams that we will be taking a strong enforcement stance with those," said Madison police Capt. Mary Schauf. "So if you're thinking of having a house party or having friends over for a gathering, our advice to people is to be responsible."

"I don't want to have any random people that we don't know come over," said UW sophomore Nate Rehberg. "But if it's our friends and nobody is coming in and out and hanging on the sidewalk, I don't think we'll have a problem."

Schauf said police would take the same approach as Mifflin Street as far as ticketing.

The teams will scope out the party, break it up, gather evidence and come back at a later date with the tickets.

Schauf said she realizes this type of enforcement could drive more students to State Street. But she believes if police can stop the heavy drinking before people get there, there will be less violence.