San Francisco Reminds Halloween Revelers To Avoid Castro District
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco city officials are encouraging revelers to enjoy Halloween close to their own homes, and steer clear of the Castro District.
Wherever you go for Halloween, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says it should not be the Castro; once again, there will be no Halloween party in the neighborhood due to violence that marred celebrations several years ago.
KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:
"We had a string, year after year, of serious and violent incidences that led to some very tragic results," said Newsom.
After Halloween 2006 when several people were shot during the Castro Halloween party, residents and businesses in the neighborhood said they'd had enough.
"There's really nothing going on down there that should drive people to come down to 18th and Castro, so we're just encouraging people to visit all of these other wonderful venues that exist throughout our city and throughout the region," said Newsom. "I want people to be safe. It's more important than anything else."
He adds that extra police patrols will be on duty in the Castro on Halloween.
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