HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2017 Item 14, CrossCOUNCiLMEETINC: 1-1}-[ R.F,>`CE-611ED
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JAN 17 2011
From: "Brett Cross" <
Date: Mon, Jan 16, 2017 at 8:44 PM -0800
Subject: Item # 14 Safety Enhancement Zone
To: "E-mail Council Website" <emailcouncil er,slocity.org>
Brett Cross
San Luis Obispo, CA
Item #14 Safety Enhancement Zone Amendment
Madam Mayor and Council members,
The community is seriously impacted by noise from parties. There were nearly 1800 noise calls
made by community residents in 2015. And yes, that is lower than previous years. However that
number is wholly unacceptable. I use to cringe when I would hear the people say, "well, you live in a
college town". I now concede, given the number of students who live off campus, I live in a "college
town". However that doesn't somehow make it acceptable that residents should be impacted by
noisy parties. That just doesn't make any sense to me, and it shouldn't make any sense to you as
well.
I fully understand the differences in lifestyles between college students and the "rest" of us.
Unfortunately those differences have impacts that have profound effects on the community as a
whole. Noise from parties is among the factors that have caused residents to move from
neighborhoods and is a significant factor for families who are looking to purchase a home in our
community.
Unfortunately Poly Royal and Mardi Gras were both suspended by a growing party atmosphere that
eventually led to very costly policing efforts. The City currently provides additional public bathrooms
in the downtown for Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. It's not like the City is completely abolishing
folks "right to party".
ASI's position reminds me a bit of the Beastie Boys song, "You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party".
It's sad in a way. I don't have the sense that the ASI Board understands the history of Poly Royal or
Mardi Gras. I also don't think they understand what the impacts are to the community from the noise
that comes with parties.
St. Fratty's Day has become just another reason to party and excuse my frankness, hopefully get laid,
which is fine except the impacts to the community are becoming significant. Check out this link on
Buzzfeed. httr)s:llwww.buzzfeed.com/bernardy/the-l0-hest-moments-missed-on-saint-frattys-day-
go0l?utm term=.jldoA69yR#.ibiJAm_yr5 granted this is the "infamous" 2014 St. Fratty's Day event
but we as a community need to decide if "you've got a right to party".
I'd like it; actually I'd love it, if students or anyone else could have a "good time" without having to
create a monetary deterrence. I'd love it if people always considered their actions and how their
actions impact others, but as we all know that doesn't always happen, especially when you add in
alcohol. Sometimes fines are part of the solution to a problem. I get it no one likes to get a fine for
doing something wrong whether it's a parking ticket or speeding on the freeway. It's no fun. Trying to
get people to follow the rules involves educating them about the rules, trying to get them to
understand why the rules are in place, and lastly having a consequence for not following the rules.
The unfortunate lesson is that the double fines associated with Safety Enhancement Zones has an
effect on folks behavior like it or not. ASI would like the Council to let us try something different. I
want to remind the Council that the multi-year costs associated with after effects of Mardi Gras
partying were into the $1,000,000's. We as a community cannot afford that for a made up event such
as St. Fratty's Day.
Despite ASI's well-intentioned resolution I believe you should support Police Chief Deanna Cantrell's
recommendation to designate an additional city-wide safety enhancement period prior to and
inclusive of St. Patrick's Day.
Sincerely,
Brett Cross