Community Organizing

Community Changes Result in Safer Halloween

Compared to Halloween 2002 — when five people were stabbed and dozens were arrested for public drunkenness — Halloween 2003 in San Francisco, California's Castro district was better organized, more sober, and as a result, much safer for residents and festival goers.

Although a safe local street fair for many years, "Halloween in the Castro" became dangerous in 2002. In the wake of injuries and public disturbances, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty proposed changes to make the event safer and more enjoyable for all. "People were outright belligerent... You couldn't walk the streets without kicking beer bottles and I think that was responsible for the stabbings," noted Supervisor Dufty.¹

After the 2002 brawl, Dufty pulled together a task force to address the problem and determine a strategy to guard public safety. The task force involved city and state agencies, including the mayor's office, the California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the San Francisco Police Department and the Department of Public Health and neighborhood groups.

The task force identified uncontrolled access to alcohol as a major contributor to the fighting and other problems that occurred during the 2002 celebration. In response the task force developed solutions to curb public drinking and restrict sales of alcohol outside of licensed premises. The key tenets of the city's plan were:

•  Disperse the crowd.

In previous years, several thousand people crowded into a small area around one intersection; crowding agitated partygoers and the result was violence. In 2003, the task force's entertainment commission set up four stages featuring local performers to disperse the crowd.

•  Increase law enforcement for civilian-safety.

Because there were not enough law enforcement officers to maintain order during the 2002 event, police and civilian patrols were increased in 2003.

•  Prohibit public consumption of alcohol.

Event attendees can drink only inside licensed bars and restaurants and revelers were not permitted to bring any alcohol into the festivity.

The task force's community response and new public safety strategy resulted in fewer injuries, public disruptions and general nuisance for everyone at the event. "I've been to nine of these Halloween parties, and, by far, this was the most enjoyable for everyone involved," commented Deputy Police Chief Greg Suhr. ²

¹ San Francisco Chronicle; November 2, 2003
² San Francisco Chronicle; November 2, 2003.

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