MONTICELLO - Police from several area departments were called to Monticello early Sunday morning to help break up a running series of fights there, all of which culminated in an early closure of some bars in town and two arrests.
Police said it all began at Donna's Place, 135 N. Main. Street, where they were initially called for a fight in progress, possibly involving as many as 20 people, said Monticello Police Officer Marques Hicks.
"The initial altercation occurred, the parties were separated and told to leave," said Hicks.
But even with additional officers from Green County and New Glarus still on the scene, incidents continued to erupt downtown, with Hicks estimating that at least 15 verbal or physical altercations were reported before the night was over.
"We would be trying to solve one problem then someone would come out (of a bar) and cause another problem," said Hicks, adding that at about 1:30 a.m., the owner of Donna's agreed to close ahead of the regular 2:30 a.m. bar time. "Law enforcement's presence wasn't stopping them."
The owner of at least one other bar in town that was still open also agreed to close early to avoid any additional problems, Hicks said.
Police chief Tom Erb said that there were eight birthday parties going on in Monticello late Saturday night and Sunday morning at about the same time, which contributed to the situation. Hicks added that one party offered unlimited beer to revelers from several kegs.
The incident remains under investigation, and police have not released the names of those charged, Hicks and Erb said.
Police said it all began at Donna's Place, 135 N. Main. Street, where they were initially called for a fight in progress, possibly involving as many as 20 people, said Monticello Police Officer Marques Hicks.
"The initial altercation occurred, the parties were separated and told to leave," said Hicks.
But even with additional officers from Green County and New Glarus still on the scene, incidents continued to erupt downtown, with Hicks estimating that at least 15 verbal or physical altercations were reported before the night was over.
"We would be trying to solve one problem then someone would come out (of a bar) and cause another problem," said Hicks, adding that at about 1:30 a.m., the owner of Donna's agreed to close ahead of the regular 2:30 a.m. bar time. "Law enforcement's presence wasn't stopping them."
The owner of at least one other bar in town that was still open also agreed to close early to avoid any additional problems, Hicks said.
Police chief Tom Erb said that there were eight birthday parties going on in Monticello late Saturday night and Sunday morning at about the same time, which contributed to the situation. Hicks added that one party offered unlimited beer to revelers from several kegs.
The incident remains under investigation, and police have not released the names of those charged, Hicks and Erb said.