Ravens Fans Cancel Game Watch Party After SFPD Cites Safety Concerns
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A Baltimore Ravens fan club calling itself the 'Foggers' abruptly canceled a Super Bowl watching party at a San Francisco bar on Sunday, telling supporters that police expressed safety concerns.
"Due to the increasing size and exposure of our event, the San Francisco Police Department has heavily urged Ravens... to cancel the event in-light of their concern that they can not guarantee the safety of those in attendance," read a notice e-mailed to the fan group and obtained by CBS San Francisco.
The group regularly met throughout the regular and post- seasons at Thieves' Tavern, and although they canceled their Super Bowl party - the fan club's organizers indicated that they hoped to return to the pub next year to cheer on the Ravens.
In their note to fellow members, the group's leadership implied that the SFPD's warning left them little choice.
"The case they made was too strong to ignore, and we had to make a decision that wasn't easy… and quite frankly, tore our hearts out. But as we've said before: one of the core pillars of this group is "family", and we will not gamble with the lives of this family," the notice said.
In the hopes of avoiding the violence that has marred recent victory celebrations in San Francisco, more than 400 officers were on duty for Super Bowl Sunday, triple the usual number of officers working on a Sunday, police said.
City officials had warned that whether the 49ers win or lose that fans should not allow their celebrating over a victory or expressing their sorrow over a loss lead to violence.
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