MADISON, Wis. -- The annual Mifflin Street block party broke a record for the number of arrests this year, according to Madison police.

SLIDESHOW: See Photos Of Mifflin Street Block Party 2008 (Vol. 1) | SLIDESHOW: See Photos Of Mifflin Street Block Party 2008 (Vol. 2)

Authorities said nearly 400 people were booked into the Dane County Jail on Saturday. But, officials caution the number is deceiving because there were no major incidents, WISC-TV reported.

Most of the arrests were related to minor alcohol violations. One porch was evacuated because of overcrowding. One party was broken up after repeated noise warnings, police said.

Despite the arrest numbers, Madison police are calling the annual event a success.

They said that the turnout of about 6,000 people was smaller than last year, but arrests were up from last year when police arrested 366 people.

Police said that this year's increase in security and new rules helped.

"We have a couple more cameras up which have helped us monitor the crowd but really our thanks goes to the UW-Madison students and others here. They've handled themselves well, they're enjoying a rite of spring. We haven't had any major incidents," said Joel DeSpain, Madison police's spokesman.

Official arrest numbers will be released in the coming weeks, WISC-TV reported.

Alderman Mike Verveer said there needs to be a more efficient way of handling the event.

"In the past, the city position was we want this thing to go the way of the dinosaurs, we want it to end. We have to do whatever we can to see this end and not encourage it. Now they're saying, 'This is going to go on whether we like it or not,' we might as well have some semblance of sponsorship or organization to it," said Verveer.

Verveer said that he hopes a student or community group will come forward to organize the event in the future.

Clean Up

The only tax dollars spent to clean up the even went to fund two street sweepers. City officials said the several thousand dollars collected in drinking fines will more than pay for the cost of the street sweepers.

Neighbors and volunteers from a local church handle the rest of the clean up.