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Entertainment commission imposes revised security plan and 72-hour director suspension after La Officina shooting
Summary
The acting director reported that the security guard involved in the May 28 shooting at La Officina was charged; the commission heard that staff issued a 72‑hour public-safety suspension and a director's order requiring a revised security plan effective Oct. 3. Inspector Sean Burke outlined multiple recent citations and ongoing enforcement actions.
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Sept. 19 heard a report from the acting director about a fatal May 28 incident at La Officina and the department's subsequent enforcement steps.
The acting director told the commission that the on-duty security guard who shot and killed a patron on May 28 has since been charged with murder and related counts. "I did issue a suspension for public safety, which only last 72 hours that went into effect over the weekend," the acting director said. The director also issued a director's order demanding a revised security plan that must take effect by Oct. 3; the establishment has the right to appeal that order to the commission but must notify staff by Oct. 3 if it chooses to do so.
Inspector Sean Burke summarized findings from the department's inspections and administrative citations. He said the venue, identified in staff materials as Law Office/La Officina, had multiple permit-condition violations including an open door in violation of crowd-control requirements, insufficient sidewalk security, a failure to document that all staff were lead-trained and a lack of a required calendar of events submitted to the San Francisco Police Department. "The administrative citation, the conditions that were violated are outlined in the Director's order that's in your packet," Burke said.
Commissioners asked staff about compliance checks and follow-up. Burke said he conducted rounds Friday and Saturday nights during the suspension period and that the venue was in compliance with the suspension. The acting director said the department met with the owner and manager and that they "were well aware" of the required additions to the security plan and have the right to appeal. The acting director said language-translation assistance was used during the meeting and that an interpreter had "vocalize[d] every single one of these stipulations today."
Burke described other recent enforcement actions and complaints: Soma Street Food Park was cited for not having a manager or owner present on site; Chambers Phoenix Hotel received a citation after crowd control and sound complaints; Mint was found operating amplified sound outdoors without a permit; and staff continue to investigate complaints at venues including Tupelo, Benders, Swedish American Hall, ASF, Riptide, Maze, Hugh and Halcyon. For some venues, Burke said operators have promised improvements such as sound mitigation, upgraded staffing and decibel monitoring.
The acting director said staff will monitor compliance after Oct. 3 and that, if necessary, the commission could schedule a hearing (with appropriate notice) or pursue a suspension hearing, which carries more extensive due process requirements. "Beginning October 3, that's when they have to prove that they're in compliance," the acting director said.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the director's order at the meeting; staff characterized the director's order and suspension as administrative actions carried out under departmental authority. The acting director noted the venue may appeal the director's order to the commission by the Oct. 3 deadline.
Next steps: staff will continue on-the-ground compliance checks and will return the matter for a hearing if the venue appeals or fails to meet the revised security-plan requirements by Oct. 3.
