Spooky Halloween

The Castro has been the place to party during the Halloween night. As the sun set adults in the costumes took over the streets and sidewalks. Outsiders from all over the city and the Bay area come together and celebrate the spirit of Halloween. The Castro has a reputation to throw a big party and massive crowds overwhelmed the whole 18^th street. Due to massive crowds, traffic is disrupted and the police struggled to manage the crowd. Recent years, unfortunate events occurred in this peaceful neighborhood. People get stabbed and shot so partying was prohibited and discontinued. However, this year streets were not close but people still dressed up and went to the Castro to celebrate. Unfortunately this year, I was at the Castro working the late shift and experienced how the streets were filled with people drinking booze. I love this neighborhood because of the vibrant energy and the wonderful experience it offers. But I highly recommend that people should not go and party in the Castro during Halloween night. I have a good reason why people should avoid the Castro during Halloween.

            During the past couple of years, the party is supposed to be cancelled due to unfortunate events that happened. Let us visit, the past Halloween ghost in the Castro, in 2002, five people were stabbed. Four years after the 2006 party, nine people were shot and most were grazed by bullets then one woman was trampled. Safety has been the major concern among the community. Local community stepped in and gave out whistles to the people in case they are being attacked. In addition, police officers patrolled the area and other local volunteers such as the members of Triangle Marshall Arts Association. The whistle didn’t really help that much people are drunk and most of the time they don’t know what they are doing and fights break out. One of the major reason for the fights are the party is too big for the City and local community to manage. We are talking about hundred thousands of people coming all over the city and Bay area. According to the Mike Aldax, an examiner report, over the years, it became too big to manage,” said David Perry of Home for Halloween, a campaign started in 2007 to curb violence and vandalism during the holiday. “The Castro is not an appropriate venue for a street party of 200,000 people.” I had a personal encounter of how large is the crowd in this year alone. I got off around 1:30 am and the streets were packed with people in costumes. The streets were not closed so lanes on both sides were opened. A lot of cars were passing by and drivers had to maneuver over the crowd. In addition, police officers were patrolling and citing people from drinking alcohol in the street. Party goers hid their booze and alcohol in water bottles and plastic bottles to avoid detection from the police. As I tried to cross the street, it took me an hour due to the crowd standing and chatting in the street and sidewalks. I literally shoved people around in order for me to cross and avoid missing the traffic lights. My dad was annoyed and pissed that I took too long so I have to explain what happened. According to Rep. Wiener, without the street party, the neighborhood has been a much safer place on Halloween but that doesn’t mean the spirit of the holiday isn’t celebrated, he added. (link) Furthermore, no street partying allowed this year but bars were opened all night.

            I hope people stayed safe during Halloween night. As far as the news, I haven’t heard anything bad happened to the people who went to the Castro and celebrated this year’s Halloween. I hope people will continue to avoid violence and respect the community. And I will try to get Halloween night off next year, so I can enjoy my night trick or treating with my two adorable nieces.