POLICE STATE IN SF? MAYOR NEWSOM TO BUST PARTIERS

Was just tipped off to some legislation going down in San Francisco that could really affect club nights and be the tip of the iceberg of something that could hurt promoters and club owners around the city. Here's where it all starts if you aren't careful, and before long you'll become Phoenix or what they've done to New Orleans with this kind of madness. The San Francisco Bay Guardian ran this story > http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2008/02/newsom_to_clubs_curb_it.html

***PRESS RELEASE***

MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM PROPOSES NIGHTCLUB REFORM LEGISLATION
Four ordinances will address the recent spate of violence outside nightclubs

San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom was joined by Police Chief
Heather Fong, members of the Entertainment Commission and local nightclub
owners and promoters to announce new legislation aimed at reforming the
nightclub industry. Four pieces of legislation will be forwarded to the
Board of Supervisors at the next full Board meeting and are co-sponsored by
Supervisor Sophie Maxwell.

“People are going to these nightclubs, carrying guns, and committing
violent crimes,” said Mayor Newsom. “This violence will not be allowed to
continue, and we are telling nightclub industry officials that we are here
to help you, but we are going to make some changes.”

Three of the proposed ordinances focus on reforming permitting protocol for
promoters and nightclubs, and a final ordinance will prohibit loitering
around nightclubs during the late evening and early morning hours.
- 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.

“The areas directly outside nightclubs have become locations for assaults
and shootings, and nightclub goers have become fearful for their safety,”
said Chief Fong. “This proposed anti-loitering legislation is another
crime-fighting tool for our officers, and our hope is to reduce the
incidence of violent crimes around these entertainment venues.”

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) held the first Nightlife
Safety Summit in January, convening owners of nightclubs, event promoters,
and other members of the nightlife community to discuss violence occurring
outside of late night entertainment venues. Participants were asked to act
as partners in public safety activities to reduce violent crime and accept
accountability reforms in light of recent incidents involving nightclub
patrons.

“The entertainment community is proud to be a partner in the development of
this legislation, as our venues benefit most when our customers feel safe.”
said Entertainment Commission President Audrey Josephs. “This legislation
gives greater authority to the Entertainment Commission to act quickly and
effectively when violations do occur.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications,
415-554-6131