Although Sunday morning’s near riot on State Street during Madison’s Halloween celebration might have been prevented by more police preparation, the fact that it even occurred should be an embarrassment to college students.

College students are known for rallying around a cause and holding demonstrations or marches, but those causes are usually somewhat noble. According to witness Joe Cannon, in his remarks to the Wisconsin State Journal, a few students got angry and threw rocks at an apartment after some girls stopped flashing their breasts from a window. The occupants threw bottles back and a fight ensued.

Even the Los Angeles riots, whether right or wrong, were a result of perceived injustice over the Rodney King verdict. Some college students, apparently, perceive women denying them visible breasts as serious injustice.

As stupid and condemnable as these actions were, it is possible that they could have been prevented. The Madison Police Department could have guessed that Saturday was going to be a wild night, seeing as how Halloween fell on a Thursday, and the holiday always attracts many people from around the nation.

Had they more officers on duty and a better plan as to how to handle any potential situation, the episode might have been stopped before it got out of hand.

Regardless, though, those involved should have thought before they acted. There are people who don’t think too highly of college students, and getting drunk and participating in vandalism, looting and assault don’t go very far to better our image.