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To Help Curb Violence, Newsom Proposes Nightclub Reform
SF Late Night Coalition chairperson Terrance Alan (far left), Police Chief Heather Fong, and Newsom at yesterday's announcement
With nightclubs like Jelly's, Whisper, and 715 Harrison playing host to fatal mischief over the past few months, yesterday Mayor Newsom and Police Chief Heather Fong went on the offense against SF nightlife. Four bits of legislation, co-sponsored by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, will be put before the board of supes:
- The first ordinance would require promoters to obtain a permit before holding two or more events per calendar year, thus enabling the Police Department and other regulator agencies to know who is directly responsible for an event and hold them accountable for a security plan and any violations of health or safety rules.- The second ordinance amends existing law to tighten the permitting process, and grants emergency powers to the Director of Entertainment Commission to suspend permits for a variety of safety and noise violations.
- The third ordinance clarifies the application requirements for Extended-Hours Premises Permits (premises which are open between 2-6a.m.), requiring these premises to create security plans, which the Executive Director of the Commission must approve.
- The final ordinance makes it illegal to loiter within 10 feet of a club for more than 3 minutes. It only applies between 9p.m. and 3a.m. and does not apply to people waiting for a bus or other activity. A person must be warned before they can be cited.
(For the full press release, go here.)
The first ordinance is interesting. Does this means promoters who have weekly or monthly parties must now obtain a permit? And are they more responsible for the club's security than the venue's owner? And the final one seems aimed at those those who have been ejected from a club for fighting and then want to jump somebody when they eventually have to leave, not for those who are waiting for a bus. Will that just push even more violence the streets further outside the venues? Probably.
But overall, we're happy to see the city finally doing something about curbing nightlife violence; though but we're also for throwing a party anywhere in San Francisco "free of governmental intrusion." That is, except for 715 Harrison, whose 18-and-over nights will be the death of us. Seriously, for all we care, that place can burn to the ground. (Because "Nimby" is our middle name, and "Hypocrisy " the scent we wear.)
Photo credit: Jim Herd