Another Halloween With No Party In The Castro
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/BCN) -- San Francisco city officials are reminding residents that there will be no Halloween party in the Castro District this year, the fourth straight year people have been encouraged instead to celebrate the holiday close to home.
The Home for Halloween campaign started in 2007 to curb increased violence and vandalism during the holiday, especially from people who live outside of San Francisco.
There have been problems historically on Halloween in San Francisco, particularly in the Castro District where five people were stabbed in 2004 and 2005, and nine people were shot in 2006.
There will be no city-sponsored events tonight or Sunday in the city for Halloween, and there will be no street closures in the Castro.
"There are many wonderful and safe events happening in San Francisco neighborhoods and throughout the Bay Area," Supervisor Bevan Dufty said in a statement.
"We're encouraging people to celebrate Halloween in their own home neighborhoods and cities. The Castro, while open for business, will not be closed for a street party," Dufty said.
The campaign's website, www.homeforhalloween.com, includes a list of events throughout the Bay Area today and Sunday.
"For those people who would come into the Castro - or any part of the city - with bad intentions and exhibiting bad behavior, the message is very clear: please stay home for Halloween," Dufty said.
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