info@HalloweenInTheCastro.com

While there is no City-sanctioned Halloween celebration in the Castro or anywhere in San Francisco for 2007, people will find their own places and ways to celebrate on this national holiday.  Common sense and extra precaution are urged no matter where you are on this night of Tricks and Treats.


 
Castro
The SF Police Department and Sheriff’s Department will be out in force as peace officers.  There is a zero tolerance for alcohol policy in effect so be wise and comply.  Likewise, public intoxication is a no-no unless you want to welcome All Saints day in the slammer.  Better to get invited to a private party or support one of the open bars and restaurants.  It is illegal to leave a bar or restaurant with an alcoholic beverage ... drink up inside lest you make enemies fast.

The grassroots organization Citizens for Halloween is encouraging neighborhood residents and merchants (whether you are open or not after 7pm) to LIGHT UP THE CASTRO!  They’d prefer you to do it tastefully with ever-so-gay Halloween decorations but the point is to promote safety with your turf bright enough to make any moth merry, or Mary!  Motion detection lights, colored flood or decorative lights (support Cliff’s Variety at 479 Castro) all help promote safety.  Flip on those switches or set your timers to LIGHT UP THE CASTRO till the wee hours to scare off any goblins.

WHISTLES have long been a deterrent and call for help when easily accessible on your person.  Put one on your necklace, wristband, key chain, or belt.  They are available at many Castro merchants … just ask.  Having a charged cell phone handy is a good idea this night.  911 calls may go to the CA Highway Patrol so try to establish your location when calling.

Be wise and NEVER WALK ALONE, especially on side streets or dark areas.  Some safety promoters suggest walking with your keys pointed through your fingers to use in defense if needed.  Always, loud noise to attract help is important.  Cabs and public transit are the preferred mode of travel (local buses and trains cost $1.50 with free transfers; bring change).

Believe it or not, but people in costume help create an atmosphere of fun and activity and deter problems on Halloween night.  For goodness sake, spend a few bucks or dig deep in your closet and throw on a fun hat, boa, beads, or paint your face.  Halloween is not just for kids but for the child in all of us.  Every party has a pooper – don’t let it be you!  Wear a COSTUME on Halloween!

Need we say, if you are imbibing on Halloween, do so in moderation.  Eat before partying and have a plan for getting home safely.   Tell close friends your plans.  If you leave with a new friend, get their name and call a friend to explain your plans.  Consider water your friend on this night so you welcome November with warm memories, not cold compresses!  Also, beware of candy and other goodies if you are not sure what is in them.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Please use merchant and public restrooms.  Illegal public urination or defecation can lead to arrest and you may also be making yourself vulnerable to being victimized.  The two public restrooms at Castro/Market and Church/Market require a quarter ... bring change and get in line before you're a dancing pretzel!  Use facilities at private parties before heading out.

CPMC Davies Hospital is the closest 24-hour EMERGENCY ROOM to the Castro at 45 Castro Street between 14th and Duboce streets.  Emergency vehicles and paramedics will be on call in the Castro.

Incredibly, Mayor Newsom's Office has announced that there will be no portable toilets in the Castro on Halloween night. City Hall believes that when people arrive in the Castro on Halloween, and they see that there are no toilets, they will leave the neighborhood when they have to relieve themselves. 

Residents and merchants in the Castro know that this logic is dead wrong, and will lead to an unprecedented level of public urination (or worse!) on Halloween night this year.  Party-goers will be visiting the Castro on Halloween regardless of whether they know that there will be toilets.

The City's policy is UNSAFE for revelers and residents alike, and UNFAIR for the City to be playing games with our public health in this manner.

Citizens for Halloween has obtained funding from Ritual Coffee Roasters, and an anonymous donor, for an unlimited number of portable toilets to be placed in the Castro on Halloween night. We have also compiled a list of residents and merchants who want to place a toilet in front of their home or business.

On Friday, October 5, we assisted one of these residents in applying for a toilet permit, as a test case. After paying the $54 permit fee, we were denied the permit, and we were told that we would not be able to make an appeal in time before Halloween.

We have realized that getting toilets placed will take an act of vigilantism, or a political decision by the Mayor.  We are actively lobbying public health officials and the Mayor's Office to have toilets placed in order to protect our neighborhood. We are also working on solutions that do not require a permit from the City.

If you would like to help us get toilets placed on Halloween night, please volunteer by emailing us at info@halloweeninthecastro.com