Nightclub problems grab attention of supervisors
By: Brent Begin
Examiner Staff Writer
March 23, 2009
Proposals to clean up The City’s nightlife will be back in the limelight today.
Violence has long been in an issue in the popular party districts in San Francisco, including the South of Market area and North Beach, with fights and even murders occurring outside entertainment venues.
Mayor Gavin Newson in February 2008 introduced a bundle of ordinances that were aimed at tackling some of the major issues from which violence stems, including loitering outside of the clubs.
The Board of Supervisors City Operations and Neighborhood Services committee will today discuss three proposals meant to curb nightclub violence. One of those is Newsom’s loitering law that would allow police to cite people who spend more than three minutes hanging out within 10 feet of a club.
The district attorney would have the power to decide whether to charge an infraction or a misdemeanor. An infraction carries a fine of $50 to $100 or community service while a misdemeanor could land a violator in jail for up to six months, with a fine between $200 and $500.
A second violation would automatically be charged as a misdemeanor. Exceptions include waiting in line, smoking in a designated area and waiting for a bus.
The legislation would also grant the Entertainment Commission considerable power, and has been held up at the Board of Supervisors because of some last minute tinkering. One of the latest changes would create swifter permit suspension, cutting a 30-day suspension down to 72 hours, or a week for subsequent violations.
The second ordinance is for clubs with “extended-hours” permits, and would require such nightclubs to create security plans.
The Entertainment Commission was created in 2002 to take over the nightclub permitting duties of the Police Department. If the legislation is passed, the commission would also be granted authority to cite businesses with administrative citations.
