SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Only 15 of 130 Castro businesses possessing alcohol permits have agreed to close their doors early on Halloween as city officials attempt to quash the decades-old neighborhood dance party that draws more than 100,000 revelers and has been plagued recently with violence.

At least 130 Castro businesses — restaurants, stores, clubs and bars — received letters from The City asking that they shut down as early as 6 p.m. on Halloween in an attempt to limit crowds and divert revelers elsewhere.

Over the years, the celebration has grown into a massive event drawing thousands from around the Bay Area that many neighborhood residents say has turned from playful to unruly. Last year, despite the presence of more than 500 public safety officers, a gunman opened fire and wounded nine people, according to authorities. In 2002, a person with a chain saw ran amok and four people were stabbed.

“The level of violence in the Castro is unacceptable and the residents of the Castro do not want this mayhem on their doorsteps again,” Mayor’s Office spokesman Nate Ballard said.

Thursday, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Police Chief Heather Fong and Castro Supervisor Bevan Dufty met with neighborhood merchants to discuss the closures and were met with a “mixed bag” of reaction, according to Dufty.

“Some questioned what exactly the plan is and how we are going to deal with [crowds] logistically,” Dufty said. “There was not a consensus [about closing early], but we are trying to do what is best for the overall neighborhood.”

Dufty said the financial hit some businesses will experience by closing earlier will be offset by a promotional campaign the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Business Bureau will launch to drive San Franciscans to the Castro throughout October.

City officials had planned to provide an alternative to the Castro party at a parking lot behind AT&T Park, but negotiations with the promoter fell apart last week.

“Fifteen businesses is a good start,” Ballard said. “We are optimistic that the merchants in the Castro will warm up to the idea of closing early. We believe the businesses of the Castro will respect the wishes of their neighbors and shut down to avoid the violence.”

Comments from Examiner Readers

10:30 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 8, 2007 re: "Cost of extra police on Halloween �a wash�"

Examiner Reader said:
Commission President Theresa Sparks said police didn�t really have much say in The City�s policy on Halloween The politicians, Police Commission (civilian), and other non-law enforcement groups had everything to do with the Closing of the Castro on Haloween. The Police followed orders and now somehow they are to blame for the non-event?

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11:47 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007 re: "More cops to patrol Castro on Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm with James on this one. Local authorities and politicians are off base on this one. Because it appears most other efforts failed, they are simply going to strongarm this event out of existence by closing transit stations and flooding the Castro with law enforcement. I hope the voters will take note of agencies and individuals who endorsed this behavior and take the appropriate action come election time.

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9:31 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007 re: "More cops to patrol Castro on Halloween"

Tyronne Fatsengalla said:
Do not blame the SFPD. Politicians aka civilians set policy. SFPD only follows the policy whatever it is.....

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7:56 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007 re: "More cops to patrol Castro on Halloween"

James, San Francisco said:
So, let me get this straight (pun intended): now, with the legendary Castro Halloween shut down, there will be a larger police presence than if it had been permitted and properly managed? San Francisco must be careful not to walk on this longstanding tradition of celebration and revelry. I fully support making people behave in public and keeping the peace - I live in the Castro. However, one does not do this by smashing a cultural tradition. If Toronto can throw an entire week of Halloween festivities and Sydney can throw the world's largest gay Mardi Gras - and invite the entire world to these events - then, San Francisco can also support gay/queer culture and keep our beloved City a prime destination for gay folks and freethinkers. Otherwise, who wants to live in a place devoid of joyful celebration?

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7:05 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007 re: "More cops to patrol Castro on Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
fascist frisco, who'd have thought. glad I'm not a peon who depends on public transit

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9:53 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007 re: "Blitz on Castro Halloween ban eased"

Paul V said:
The problem with putting the ad on KRON 4 is that, since it's no longer the NBC affiliate or for any major network, it will rarely, if at all, be seen. The city isn't even remotely trying to find a place to send the thousands of people. Yes, I know the Citizens of Halloween is trying to do something; but, with less than two weeks to go and still no sign of anything definite, the crowd will still show up. Arrogance (drunk or sober) is much more popular in this city than the police or City Hall want to believe. A lot of businesses close down on New Year's Day. That doesn't keep thousands of people from roaming around that area. You can't put a grease fire out with water. It will just spread out into a bigger mess.

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10:51 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007 re: "Agency eases blitz on Castro Halloween ban"

Examiner Reader said:
having been in s.f. for 3 decades and been witness to most of the halloweens in the castro, just the idea the city is going to squelch the halloween celebration is silly on its face. last time i checked, the city doesn't even sponsor the event. while the tone of the event has changed over the years and not necessarily for the better, who are the mayor, supervisor dufty and the convention and visitors bureau to stop it? i'm in no way advocating for violence, but the numbers injured pale against the millions who have attended over the last 30 years, i dare say statistically nil. let the halloween celebration happen.

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1:34 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 22, 2007 re: "Halloween in the Castro? S.F. says: Don�t go there"

Examiner Reader said:
This is the silliest plan that I've ever heard. But if it works, we can tell the gunslingers that there are no more targets in Hunters Point. Then the homicide rate will decrease dramatically

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