Safety
If you suffer from Enochlophobia (the scientific term for fear of crowds, otherwise known as Ochlophobia and Demophobia) you might want to make this a Netflix night at home.
But if immersing yourself in a colorful and crazy mob sounds like fun, you still should be aware of safety guidelines from the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station:
— No alcohol or public drinking will be allowed. (There will be plenty of bars open along Santa Monica Boulevard).
— No backpacks, camera cases, tote bags, etc. will be permitted (clear plastic bags will be allowed).
— No weapons or drones will be tolerated. That includes items that could be used as weapons, such as bats and sticks.
— Kids and pets are strongly discouraged. The crowds are so thick that they could be stepped on or otherwise injured.
— Festival-goers should remember — “If You See Something, Say Something.” In other words, if you spot something worrisome approach one of the dozens of sheriff’s deputies that will be lining Santa Monica Boulevard or call 911.
The Sheriff’s Department is well aware of the surge in terrorist attacks in crowded areas around the world in recent years (and the fear generated by the arrest in Santa Monica in June of an armed man planning to attend L.A. Pride). While they can’t reveal what special measures they are taking to increase public safety at this year’s Carnaval, Capt. Holly Perez of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and Kristin Cook, head of the city’s Public Safety Department, have issued assurances that such measures will be in place. Organizations such as the federal Homeland Security Department and specialty units of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department were involved in L.A. Pride.
The city will operate a command center from the auditorium and skyroom at West Hollywood Park from 7 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Tuesday for its Event Services and Recreation teams and for public safety briefings. The City Council also has agreed to erect two temporary medical care centers.
Now is a good time to start a campaign to disallow children and dogs from this year’s Halloween Carnival. I can remember very well how much more fun the carnival once was before stupid parents and dog owners imposed their little ones on the event. Let’s please revisit this issue.
The picture on top is of furries, not bears (specifically: dog, fox, fox, wolf).
SaveWeho, you are the Grinch of Halloween. Just stay home and you will be alright. There are little to no problems at this event. And I personally like seeing the families with their children, however, I do think it is not great for dogs.
@Demanik: If you gate and charge there will be a lot fewer people who attend. Its getting ridiculous now and I would venture to say downright dangerous with the volume of people. Do a similar gating to what they do for Pride & extend it a bit further one way or the other.
Cops could give a citation to anyone who got in with dogs or children.
#Save Weho: how can they gate the length of Santa Monica Blvd.? If you have a specific plan, please enlighten us.
They need to gate the festival & charge admission. That way they can keep children, dogs out and keep it 21+ and keep the alcohol in one area. The security would be easier as its impossible to control now.
Despite the complaints last year of all the children and dogs at the carnival, I have seen no attempt to put a stop to that or to at least discourage it. The Halloween Carnival is an adults-only event and is inappropriate for children, nor is it safe for them. And the idiots who bring their dogs are putting both the dogs and people in danger. The children, I’m sure, would much rather be with other children at Halloween parties, and the dogs would absolutely rather be left at home.
Yes…..alot of trouble.
Monday, found a garish orange flyer left at the gate offering to place people looking for parking on Halloween with owners of driveways willing to rent them for the night. Invitation to trouble…?