Commission adopts enforcement-escalation protocol; inspectors report noise and security violations at local venues

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted unanimously to adopt a formal enforcement escalation and deprioritization protocol that memorializes long-standing internal practices for responding to complaints and calibrating enforcement.

Deputy Director Azevedo introduced the protocol memo, saying staff developed a consistent, department-wide approach "based on these tools that have proven effective in resolving neighbor disputes, correcting permit violations, and reducing repeat complaints." The protocol describes steps staff use to escalate enforcement actions and a separate process for staff to ask the commission to approve temporary deprioritization when a business has shown sustained compliance.

Commissioners supported adding a director's-discretion clause to clarify that in exceptional circumstances (for example, violent incidents or large-scale events) the director may accelerate or change the enforcement response.

Vote on protocol: commissioners voted in favor; the motion to adopt passed on a roll call of five ayes (President Blyman/Bridal: Aye; Vice President Wong: Aye; Commissioner Davis: Aye; Commissioner Poggio: Aye; Commissioner Schlander: Aye).

Enforcement updates: Senior inspectors reported 52 311 complaints since the last hearing. Inspector Youngreis told the commission that Savoy Tivoli (1434 Grant Street), a place-of-entertainment permit holder, was measured on May 10 at 88.4 dBA and 96 dBC, exceeding its approved limits (84 dBA, 93 dBC). Youngreis said the usual sound engineer was not present that night and an inspector worked with staff on-site to bring volumes into compliance.

Separately, staff reported a May 8 complaint about Club 26 Mix (3024 Mission Street). Inspector Adams observed that the venue was not patting or wanding female patrons as required by its security plan and that the venue lacked the required number of security personnel for its permit conditions. The commission was told a notice of violation was issued on May 14 for security-plan violations.

ABC action: Deputy Director Azevedo updated commissioners that the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) conducted an appeal hearing on May 9 and the ABC board elected to revoke Club 26 Mix's liquor license; a revocation filing was recorded on May 15 with a 30-day hold and a potential effective date of June 15 if appeals are not successful. Staff said that revocation, if upheld, would likely mean the bar could no longer operate as a liquor-serving bar.

Discussion and next steps: Commissioners said the formal protocol will increase transparency and consistency in enforcement and allow staff to allocate resources where needed while preserving director discretion for public-safety incidents. The adopted protocol will be posted on the commission's website as a public document. Inspectors said they are working with venue management to suggest sound-abatement and security improvements.

The commission adopted the protocol by voice/roll-call vote; staff will bring any proposed deprioritization recommendations to the commission with supporting enforcement history for a vote.