S.F. officials try to snuff out '420' madness

[Jesus Malverde]

"If everyone would just be cool, it's cool." - San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr.

That was the message from city officials Wednesday as they discussed plans to deal with Sunday's annual "420" pot-smoking celebration, which last year left the city to clean up 10,000 pounds of trash, brought traffic in the Haight to a standstill and led to a fight.

At a press conference led by Supervisor London Breed, whose district includes the Haight and Golden Gate Park - where most of last year's revelry occurred around Hippie Hill at Sharon Meadow - city officials stressed that they weren't trying to kill the fun, just ensure everyone stays safe.

But weed smoking appears to be the least of their worries. Illegal parking, camping, drug sales, open alcohol containers and underage drinking were among the "code violations" that Suhr, Breed, and Recreation and Park head Phil Ginsberg said would be enforced with vigor.

Read More: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-officials-try-to-snuff-out-420-madness-5408404.php

I'd agree that people setting up booths and selling food, drink and dabs made the last couple years suck. Closing down these mostly out of town vendors would make the festivities a little more relaxed and keep the traffic flowing.

[arcane1]

1. It seems like everything eventually gets too big, or attracts too many yahoos

Aren't they also moving the Hunky Jesus contest to GG park, since Dolores park is closed for upgrades? It's going to be a busy day!

[Jesus Malverde]

2. My weirdest GG 420 was when the kids soccer coach kept to his schedule and had the kids practicing

soccer right next to hippy hill. It was pretty poor judgement on his part.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Smoking is not allowed anywhere within Golden Gate park. How can this be?

Talk about a day to avoid the park. What a fucking mess.

[Jesus Malverde]

4. When you have 100's of vendors and not a single trash can, you trash the park.

I personally would move the celebration to Union Square. The crowd and the movement is easy to marginalize and ignore at GG park. It's in some ways a huge political statement that should not go to waste.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I agree that the park isn't the right venue. Union Square or one of the piers or out by ATT park.

When there's not a game there's plenty of room in the parking areas.

The park should be for ordinary people's use, it's quiet and peaceful and kid-friendly and should be that way year-round.

[Eleanors38]

6. S.F. Needs to take a lesson from the oldest celebration of American counter-culture...

Eeyore's Birthday, 51 yrs. in Austin, TX in downtown Pease Park. 15,000 plus attend the non-profit party where vendors are all 501c3 local groups, the beer is independent Texas brewers, and the park and neighborhoods surrounding are left cleaner than before the party. Scores of portajohns, trash cans, and recycling at -0- cost to the city. Organized by old-line Democratic lefty activists. Held last Saturday in April. Admission: Free.

S.F. can have the Airplane; Austin will take the Thirteenth Floor Elevator.