According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, there will be fewer officers present at this year's party. About 40 police officers staffed last year's party, while Verveer said there will be about 35 officers present this year. The police are getting to Mifflin Street later in the day. Another change at this year's party is the allowance of parked cars along Mifflin Street and surrounding streets during Saturday's party.
Residents can keep cars there at their own risk.
In addition to the party, Ben Masel, a longtime block party attendee said he applied for a permit to hold the Mifflin Marijuana March, a parade moving from Capitol Square to Mifflin Street aimed at ending the drug war. Masel said the party was not always like that because parties in the '70s and early '80s focused primarily on political issues. Neighborhood residents also said they do not expect the party to return to its past form. Erika Anderson, a UW-Madison sophomore and Mifflin Street resident, said she thinks Saturday's event will be relatively calm, given the event's prior history. Masel said he hopes the march will help bring back some of the party's original goals, such as being a forum for political causes and student expression.