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City, police and venue operators begin push for promoter registry and security best practices after weekend violence
Summary
Following a series of weekend fights and assaults near nightlife districts, the Entertainment Commission heard staff and police describe coordination with the mayor’s office and venue operators that will produce a draft set of security best practices by Sept. 1 and explore a promoter registration system rather than a permit regime.
Deputy Director (name not stated) told the Entertainment Commission on Aug. 24 that the mayor’s office convened about a dozen venue operators, commission staff and police commanders on Aug. 10 to respond to a string of violent incidents in Union Square and SoMa. The mayor asked staff to draft security best practices by Sept. 1 and the group began discussing a promoter registry to improve oversight and professionalize promotions work.
The deputy director said roughly 70 promoters later attended an industry meeting convened by the commission and police, and that promoters expressed willingness to operate under some regulations. “We’re beginning to talk about it in terms of a registry,” staff said, describing the approach as more positively received than an immediate permit requirement.
Central Station permit officer and sergeant-level liaison Steve Matthias told commissioners the recent weekend had produced a number of violent incidents across the Central district and nearby corridors, including an August 19 shooting at a venue he identified as Epic Seller and multiple batteries and large fights at Sutra, Mojitos and other locations. Matthias said those patterns create a staffing and enforcement challenge: “If there’s a fight over at one club, then that’s less resources that are gonna be able to go to the robbery that’s just a block down,” he said, urging close coordination between the commission and police.
Staff said next steps include drafting recommended security-related conditions to present to the commission and convening additional outreach sessions for promoters in late September. The deputy director also suggested the commission might hold a public hearing to solicit broader input before any policy proposal reaches a formal vote.
Commissioners discussed ensuring neighborhood representation at future meetings. Commissioner Mico asked that neighborhood groups be included in discussions with the mayor’s office and police; staff agreed to pass that request on to meeting planners.
The commission did not adopt policy at the Aug. 24 meeting. Staff indicated the draft of security best practices is expected by Sept. 1 and that Supervisor Chu is expected to introduce related promoter-registration legislation in early September.
