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Entertainment commission imposes new security, reporting and hour limits on Club Hugh after March fights and shots fired
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Summary
After SFPD presented video and testimony showing two March disturbances near Broadway, the San Francisco Entertainment Commission unanimously approved multiple new conditions on Club Hugh’s place-of-entertainment permit, including added security staffing, an ID scanner, a larger patrol perimeter and revised incident-reporting procedures; Hugh must submit a revised security plan within two weeks.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted unanimously May 15 to impose a package of new conditions on Club Hugh’s place-of-entertainment permit after SFPD presented surveillance video and a timeline that linked two late‑March disturbances near 443 Broadway to patrons exiting the venue, including reports of shots fired on March 18.
Commission President Bridal Tan said the commission was responding to the evidence on the record while staying within its authority to modify permit conditions rather than revoke a license. SFPD Central Station officer Steve Mathias reviewed multiple camera angles and a timeline, telling the commission that a fight began shortly before 2 a.m. and that “approximately 5 to 7 minutes after the shooting, police arrived.” Mathias said his review identified patrons on the footage who appeared to come from the Hugh area and urged stronger identification and reporting tools at the venue.
Owner Bennett Montoya argued the business has suffered financially under tighter restrictions and asked to restore live entertainment until 2 a.m.; he told the commission the restriction had cost the venue “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Montoya and his security representatives described steps they have taken — nightly sound readings, ongoing communication with nearby property managers and plans to replace a roof door the management said was a sound leak source.
Multiple neighborhood business owners and managers contradicted Montoya’s assurances. Francesca Valdez of Fame Venue said she “was there when there are gunshots” and urged the commission not to restore earlier hours; Dominic Lemanji, a Broadway corridor manager, told commissioners he believes Hugh “is about 90% of the calls that I do receive” in the block area. Commissioners cited those and other neighborhood concerns in arguing for stronger, enforceable conditions.
After debate and several friendly amendments the commission approved conditions that include: a reduction of late‑night entertainment hours (midnight Sundays–Thursdays; 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday), identifiable security jackets (security clearly lettered on employee jackets), mandatory lead training for security staff, installation of an ID scanner, a requirement that all security incident reports be submitted to both the Entertainment Commission and SFPD, a 100‑foot security perimeter for active patrols, deployment of at least six guards outside starting 15 minutes before closing and continuing up to 30 minutes after, and submission of a revised security plan for staff and Central Station review within two weeks. The motion passed with ayes from Commissioners Frost, Lee, Blyman, Camino, Perez and President Tan.
Officer Mathias and other SFPD speakers emphasized that faster, consistent reporting to police after violent incidents is vital: they recommended ID scanning to allow identification of persons present during violent incidents and clearer routes for security to call 911. Hugh’s security acknowledged that on the March incidents the head of security did not immediately call 911 and said it would tighten response protocols.
The commission directed Entertainment Commission staff to work with Club Hugh and SFPD Central Station to vet the revised security plan and return to the commission if compliance issues continue. The changes are effective as permit conditions; the commission said it would consider loosening restrictions if the venue demonstrates sustained compliance and a reduction in neighborhood incidents.
