The San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously to expand the Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance currently in place for Mardi Gras to include St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. There will be stricter penalties for those who break the law, additional police officers on duty and rules against large public gatherings during these holidays. [KSBY]
The amended ordinance increases fines for a first offense from $350 to $700. For the second offense in a 12 month period fines jump from $700 to $1,000.
Police Chief Deborah Linden said the strategy has worked in the past.
The City Council first enacted the Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance in 2004 in response to a large scale riot that occurred during Margi Gras. Since then, the City Council and police have successfully worked in conjunction to discourage public Mardi Gras celebrations.
If the holiday occurs on or near a weekend, the period of time for increased penalties will be expanded to include the entire weekend.
