HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/2000, 3 - MARDI GRAS STATUS REPORT council. Jul 11 2000
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Jim Gardiner, Chief of Police
Paul LeSage, Director of Parks & Recreation
Prepared By: Cliff Chelquist, Police Captain
Carolyn Goossens, Recreation Coordinator I
SUBJECT: MARDI GRAS STATUS REPORT
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Do not sanction a nighttime Mardi Gras parade in 2001 and direct staff to work with Mystik
Krewe of Karnival to explore alternative celebrations.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the past 22 years, Mystic Krewe of Karnival has sponsored their annual Mardi Gras event
in downtown San Luis Obispo. This unique event began when a few friends relocated to SLO
from New Orleans. Missing the festivities of Mardi Gras, they decided to dress in costume and
walk along downtown sidewalks giving beads to anyone they met. This small celebration of
friends has now become San Luis Obispo's largest annual event. The Mardi Gras Parade on
March 4, 2000 attracted approximately 35,000 people.
In 1994, with the parade route on Higuera Street, staff observed crowds so dense that people
were literally up against store windows, and standing on ledges to view the activity. In 1995, the
parade route was extended to include Monterey Street, which is the approved route for the
current Holiday Parade. Attendance doubled to an estimated 10,000 people. In 1996, the parade
was relocated to Marsh Street to provide a larger venue. Since then the crowd size has rapidly
increased and now numbers in excess of 35,000.
Parade Management Much Improved
As the size of Mardi Gras has increased, the problems and the demands upon both city staff and
event sponsors have also increased. To address these problems numerous meetings and planning
sessions with event sponsors are conducted each year. These meetings are for the purpose of
reviewing the last event and then adjusting plans to try and improve the next. In recent years,
strong working relationships have been forged between a core group of sponsors and city staff
that allow meetings to be conducted in a problem-solving mode with open communication
between the participants. Most issues can now be quickly and cooperatively dealt with. Event
coordinators have demonstrated that they can be relied upon to meet each requirement and
condition specified for the event.
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In preparing for the 2000 parade, it was recognized that additional volunteers would be needed
and the event sponsors recruited over 150 people. Over 80 city staff and 25 deputy sheriffs were
also committed to the event. In addition to authorizing these human resources, the City Council
approved the purchase of 215 metal barricades to prevent the crowd from entering onto the
parade route during the procession. With this level of resources committed to the event, both
city staff and the sponsors felt that they had done all they could do to insure a safe and enjoyable
event.
But Parade Problems Overwhelm Improvements
By the time the parade started at 5:33 PM, a large crowd was in place with many more people
arriving, primarily from the north side. These late arrivals compacted the crowd and then spilled
into the side streets. They were mostly young people, many were observed to be carrying
alcohol and/or showing the signs of intoxication. Numerous sales of alcohol were taking place at
locations close to the parade and the alcohol was taken into the crowd for consumption. As
people continued to crowd into particular areas (becoming 10-20 deep), viewers were thrust up
against the metal barricades. Incidents of blatant abuse of alcohol, nudity, urinating in public,
fighting, and bottle throwing were noted. Large numbers of people began climbing onto private
rooftops to the point that a property owner became fearful that his roof would collapse. Police
officers were fully occupied elsewhere and, therefore, unavailable to respond to this issue.
The metal barricades did what was expected – separated the crowd from the parade participants
both during and after the parade. The presence of the barricades allowed the parade to finish.
However, volunteers and city staff were forced to push the barricades back in many locations to
keep the crowd from spilling onto the route. At one location, the barricades did collapse, which
resulted in the injury of one police officer. The barricades also prevented police officers and
deputy sheriffs from accessing the crowd to deal with problems.
City staff, law enforcement personnel and some event sponsors noted a change in the attitude of
the crowd this year. Many more were drinking, were more brazen in their actions and were more
confrontational when contacted. This change in attitude was sufficient for city staff to express
for the first time a fear for their own safety and for experienced law enforcement officers to
sense a crowd that could spin out of control.
Any review of Mardi Gras must recognize that the impacts are not confined just to the time when
the parade is being held. Some level of merriment has always taken place before the event and
into the night long after the parade is over. This year it was noted that activity picked up on
Friday night and on Saturday many parties started early with the attendees never going to the
parade. Arrest information also indicates that a significant number of people were from out of
the area.
Conclusion
Staff wishes to make it clear that the Mystic Krewe of Karnival conducted this year's parade
with what could best be described as professionalism. The coordinators demonstrated a high
level of organizational skills and the individual Krewes were both cooperative and innovative.
Staff also recognizes that the majority of the people who attended this year's Mardi Gras
conducted themselves in an appropriate manner. Regardless of these facts, staff cannot
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recommend the continuation of Mardi Gras in its present form if it is the Council's and the
community's expectation that it should be a family type event rather than what it has turned out
to be, an open street party with a high level of alcohol consumption and resulting unacceptable
behavior. Mardi Gras in San Luis Obispo has become what it is in other locations around the
world—a time to "let it all hang out".
CONCURRENCES
The Police, Parks & Recreation, Fire, Public Works and Human Resources Departments all
assisted in the preparation of this report and concur with the recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the Council concurs with the CAO recommendation, there still remains two scheduled events
sponsored by Mystic Krewe – the Mardi Gras Festival in the Plaza and the annual Masquerade
Ball held at the County Vet's Hall– in addition to the approved alternative.
It is unknown at this time what the cost would be for staff to facilitate an expanded Plaza festival
(ALTERNATIVE 1) due to specifics surrounding the event (i.e., expansion of location and
vendors participating, activities planned, etc.) It is anticipated that the special event fees will be
less than $10,000. With a planned festival in the Mission Plaza, Mystic Krewe will continue to
be responsible for all special event fees over the first $1,000 waived.
The impacts of facilitating a daytime parade (ALTERNATIVE 2) are still to be determined
based on the demands of an approved location. The special event fees are estimated to be no
more than last year. Under the city's existing policy, all but $10,000 would be assumed by the
city.
If the Council approves continuation of the parade in its current format (ALTERNATIVE 3),
including the stated additions, the costs are projected to be over $80,000 as detailed in
Attachment 2.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternatives stated below are not intended to tell Mystic Krewe how to run their events.
However, there are alternatives for celebrating Mardi Gras that have less potential for major
problems and city staff can support. Staff has not had the opportunity to review proposals for
next year with Mystic Krewe Directors. City staff is prepared to discuss proposals submitted by
Mystic Krewe as indicated on a Special Event Permit Application.
1. Expand the Mardi Gras Festival in the Plaza as the Major Event Eliminating the
Parade. This daytime festival has proven to be a family oriented event for children and
adults of all ages. Last year, this daytime event was relocated to the Mission Plaza from
Garden Street with overwhelming success. The colorful festival offers a wide variety of
vendor booths for face painting, crafts, entertainment, Cajun-style food, beads and Mardi
Gras-type accessories. This year's event utilized the Plaza and a small portion of the
adjoining streets. Future events at this location could expand uses within the Mission Plaza
and surrounding streets, allowing additional space for booths, entertainment, small walking
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parades of Mystic Krewe members, stages for various Krewes to perform, and numerous
.vendors. Organizing an event within this area allows staff to limit access and control the
presence of alcohol within the festival boundaries.
2. Hold a Daytime Parade within the Downtown or at an Alternative Location. Such an
event would promote family-oriented parade attendance, provide less disruption to
downtown retail businesses, allow the parade festivities to be finished before the mid-day
merriment begins, subdue the alcohol related issues, and curtail the current "almost anything
goes" attitude from the crowd. It should be noted that the Downtown Association has voiced
their opposition to an afternoon parade in the downtown area, as it would virtually close
access to businesses all day on an anticipated busy day. The Downtown Association board is
considering the impact of a morning parade and staff should be able to report on their
position at the Council meeting. To conduct a daytime parade at an alternative location
would call for considerable research before any site could be considered.
3. Continue the Parade in Its Current Format. If this alternative is selected, staff
recommends that at a minimum the following steps be taken:
• Assign 50 additional law enforcement officers to the event. The Sheriffs Office has
indicated that they cannot meet this need. The California Highway Patrol was then
contacted and gave initial indication they could be of assistance with sufficient lead-time.
A request for their services would require a formal contract at a cost of approximately
$20,000. The additional officers would be used to secure roof tops, provide a police
presence on the outer perimeter of the parade, escort fire/medical personnel into the
crowd should it become necessary to do so, and act as a response team to dangerous
situations.
The recommendation for 50 officers assumes that the crowd will be allowed to do as it
wishes during the course of the parade and that officers will only enter the crowd to deal
with situations that pose a serious threat to life or property. The flashing and nudity that
occurred during last year's parade will have to be accepted as part of the event - the
District Attorney's Office has stated that it does not violate the law. Last year's parade
saw a significant increase in the number of people who climbed onto the roofs of
buildings along the route. In preparation for prior Mardi Gras parades, staff has notified
property owners along the route that.they should take steps to control their own roofs.
With the current size of the crowd, the amount of alcohol being consumed, and with the
change in attitude on the part of some crowd participants, it is no longer reasonable to
assume that property owners could detour those who would trespass. This being the case,
the control of rooftops will become a law enforcement role and will have the effect of the
City assuming an increased level of liability.
• Provide a multi-casualty trailer. The Fire Department has arranged to utilize the City of
Arroyo Grande's Multi-Casualty Trailer and three Arroyo Grande Fire personnel to staff
it. The trailer is designed for towing into any location, complete with medical gear to
treat a vast number of casualties. This would be operated as the triage site in the event
there are numerous injuries within the downtown area during the parade. The location of
this trailer will be close to the parade site. Staff will also organize a transportation area
where trained personnel will transport victims to the appropriate facility available. City
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fire staff will also provide two engines to be on location at the parade with additional
staff as needed.
• Train non-sworn personnel for an orderly extrication. Public safety is a high priority
with this event. With police recognizing all the warning signs of potentially losing
control of the crowd, staff.will need to be educated on "what happens now." With the
assistance of law enforcement officers, all non-sworn City staff on duty for the parade
will be trained on leaving the parade route safely, assisting others on where to go, and
where to report in. It should be noted that volunteers and personnel expressed safety
concerns and the need for emergency training before the next Mardi Gras parade.
• Increase insurance coverage. Mystic Krewe will be required to provide public liability
and property damage insurance of $5 million (an increase of $3 million from last year's
$2 million).
It is important to remember that even with the additional law enforcement presence during and
after the parade, and augmented emergency response preparations, an absolute guarantee of
safety cannot be made. Despite all efforts of City staff and event sponsors, the potential for
numerous injuries and major property damage exists.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Special Event After Action Report—March 4, 2000
2. Special Event After Action Projection—February 24, 2001
(Basis for Alternative 3)
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Richard Schmidt lir 5444247 077/10/0 04:39 PM L)113
'METING AGENDA
�.,.'E7-=ITEM # 3
RICHARD SCHMIDT
112 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805) 544-4247
e-mail:rschmidt@calpoly.edu
July 10, 2000
Re: Mardi Gras-- Take Action to Tame or Terminate Public "Celebration"
To the City Council:
-
I don't envy yourbeing faced this week with the party crowd and its insistence it has a right to
do whatever regardless of the consequences for others.
I'm neither endorsing nor opposing staff's morning parade "solution." I'd note that Party
Royale officially ended hours before the debauched rioting began, so I'm not sure a morning
parade will solve the drunken youth problem, but it couldn't hurt.
In a sense, the problem isn't Mardi Gras -- it's what happens as a result of Mardi Gras. But
the two apparently cannot be separated. And the party's sponsors don't seem to care enough
about the public welfare to make this any easier on the city's decision makers. Given their
self-indulgent indifference to the public welfare, it falls to you to do what's required.
I'd note further thatalthough the media and party people focus on what happened downtown,
downtown Is but a fraction of the story. What about the spill over of drunken rowdism into
neighborhoods? Earlier I wrote to you about my own Mardi Gras experiences -- none of
them in downtown, and all some five hours after the parade -- including a drunken vehicular
accident that almost involved the vehicle in which I was a passenger in a serious head-on
collision, and also the drunken mobs In residential neighborhoods up to a mile distant
from downtown. I'll summarize that again at the end of this letter.
Some observations:
• City costs. According to the cost summary done by the Parks Department, the city spent In
direct subsidy for this event some $55,000. As a taxpayer, I question whether any private
party which requires such an amount just to maintain order (Police and fire protection alone
weighed in at over $38,000!!) is an appropriate thing for the city to allow to happen. Is this
proper use of city funds, for example, when neighborhood needs go completely unfunded due
to lack of dollars? I think not.
• Zero tolerance proposal from party proponents. This is nothing but rhetoric. What's the
city to do to enforce this? Close down all liquor sales county-wide for a week before the
"party?" As indicated above, the Mardi Gras drunkenness is not limited to the downtown
parade route. It is a ci - !derop blem. Keeping drunks away from the parade will solve little
(even if it were possible).
FOUN ❑CDD DIR RECEIVED
❑FF N DIRaRE CHIEF Schmidt, Page 11 19
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• Private party. Mardi Gras is essentially a private party that's got out of hand. Why should
the city have to pick up after a private party year after year? Why should citizens have to put
up with the safety problems and physical mess this party spawns year after year? Most
people who have private parties don't expect the public to pick up after them. I don't
understand the attitude of the Mardi Gras people that the city owes it to them.
• Not a Legitimate Part of SLO Heritage. Mardi Gras has nothing to do with our city's
history or heritage. I t was imported here by one individual from New Orleans. At first it was a
small private party. Over the years it has grown into the present mess. That does not give it
legitimacy. If this party were terminated, termination would not end public drunkenness, but it
would eliminate what has become an easy excuse for public acting out of alcohol-fueled
rowdyism that has nothing.to do with our heritage or the heritage of 99% of the participants,
and has become a public menace. Mardi Gras has become an excuse for anti-social
behavior. Outright termination, while not popular with the party people, should be considered
since there's no public.:excuse for what this event has become.
• Drunkenness among youth a major health problem. We live in a strange society which
for private gain promotes unhealthy behaviors to its youth ascool. Cigarettes were an old
example. Alcohol promotion has now filled the breach left when cigarettes became uncool. I
am concerned about the prospects for the present and future health and welfare of a
generation that has become so taken in by the hoax that heavy alcohol consumption is a cool
and normal way to pass one's leisure time. The statistics on binge drinking among the 20-
something generation are discouraging -- and we see week in and week out the results --
from the honor student celebrating his graduation from Cal Poly several years ago who
turned up dead the next morning to the Morro Bay youth who turned up dead after a night of
drinking just last week. And hardly a week goes by that innocent blood isn't spread on our
highways because of alcohol abuse. Why should the city condone and encourage this
unhealthy and dangerous behavior by subsidizing Mardi Gras's debauchery to the tune of
$55.002 The city has a past record of being courageous about this sort of thing -- viz. its
pioneering smoking ordinance. Don't wimp out now.
In the interests of protecting the public, now is the time to take action to curb Mardi Gras.
Sincerely,
Richard Schmidt
Summary of my Mardi Gras experience, 2000.
To briefly summarize my previous letter, I returned to San Luis Obispo about 10 p.m. Mardi
Gras night after having carpooled to San Francisco that morning. We left Highway 101 at the
Broad Street ramp, and were bound for Broad and Peach, on the other side of the freeway,
where our cars were parked. Upon reaching Broad and Lincoln, there were mobs of young
Schmidt, Page 2
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people in the street and lining the sidewalks and in the parking log of the misnamed Family
Market, which was open and presumably doing its usual brisk alcohol sales. (This market is
nothing but a liquor store, and doesn't belong in a neighborhood. In fact, it is a city-
wide draw and a neighborhood nuisance. What can we do to get it shut down?)
Turning right.on Lincoln, the streetside mobs continued all along the block to Chorro. There
were mobs on all four corners of Lincoln and Chorro, and the sidewalks were busy all along
Chorro. More mobs on the Corners of Chorro and Walnut. We're talking hundreds of people at
each of these intersections.
As we were approaching Chorro-Peach (with more mob on all four corners, and the sidewalks
for Chorro jammed as far as we,could see along Chorro in both directions), there was a car
coming towards us (from downtown) and another coming down the hill on Peach towards
Chorro. The car on Peach didn't stop, and collided with the side of the car coming towards us,
which sent it careening into our lane and towards our vehicle. It stopped just short of making
contact. We came very.close to a serious -- probably serious injury -- accident. Shaken, we
stopped while the drivers got out -- clearly tipsy -- then cautiously proceeded around the
accident to our destination. The crowds were quite boisterous about the accident.
Some minutes later, I retraced this route in my own vehicle, only I headed out Chorro towards
Foothill. (No police came to the accident scene -- I observed the participants settling things
among themselves.) There were large groups of young people headed both directions along
this section of Chorro. At Mission I cut over to North Broad. Same story on Broad. When I
pulled up in front of my home, a mile from downtown, there were about 20 people milling
about in front of my driveway. They moved on when I pulled up. Other similar-sized groups
were moving both directions on the opposite side of the street. Most were carrying liquor
containers -- open ones, but also 12-packs, which were hoisted aloft like trophies. This was a
moving party without a base throughout these residential areas.
Nowhere in this entire route did I find any evidence of a law enforcement presence. The city's
priorities were apparently focused downtown and neighborhoods and accident participants
were left to find for themselves.
The next morning I found in front of my premises not only the expected beer containers, but
also the remains of canned mixed hard drinks.
A friend who lives in a neighborhood about the same distance south of downtown as I live
north (i.e., in Old Town) reported her neighborhood had a similar rowdy alcohol-fueled
presence until late at night.
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