Oct 17, 2008 5:02 pm US/Pacific
SF Officials Hope For Toned-Down Castro Halloween
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
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Past celebrations have drawn thousands to the Castro.
AP
Halloween is almost here, but don't expect the traditional party to swarm San Francisco's Castro District.
In years past, several hundred thousand turned out for a celebration that was hard forget, but not always peaceful. This year, the city has other plans for revelers. The concept is dubbed "Home for Halloween."
"'Home for Halloween' means that there are activities in your own neighborhood," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who wouldn't go so far as to call the Castro off limits. "Stay away if you intend to do anything that's going to run afoul of the law."
As part of the alternative plan, San Francisco will host a party in the parking lot behind AT&T Park. But that celebration is significantly scaled back because some of the sponsors didn't come through.
Nine people were shot at the city-sponsored street party two years ago. In response, last year, Castro merchants agreed to shut down and police flooded the streets. This year, bars and shops will remain open. There will still be a police presence, and the city is still asking outsiders to stay out.
"I don't expect people to stay away," said Dufty. "I'm expecting that people in the neighborhood and community will come there and people in other neighborhoods and communities will go to their neighborhoods and communities."
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