COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

DATE:

June 2, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

No

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Adrienne J. Tissier

SUBJECT:

Rave Events at the Cow Palace

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution urging the State Legislature to enact Legislation limiting the ability of the Cow Palace to permit the use of its facility for "rave" events.

 

BACKGROUND:

On May 29, 2010, an event was held at the Cow Palace commonly referred to as a “rave” event. It has been reported that apparent ecstasy overdoses occurred at the event, which left one man dead and nine other attendees hospitalized, some with life-threatening symptoms.

 

There is a history of problems with rave-type events at the Cow Palace. It is reported that two people suffered fatal overdoses at a 2002 New Year’s Eve rave event. In 2009, 76 adults and three minors were arrested on various drug-related charges. Officers seized more than 900 tablets of ecstasy, plus methamphetamine and marijuana and more than $5,000 in cash. In 2008, 55 adults and three minors were arrested on various drug-related charges. Officers seized more than 1,040 tablets of ecstasy, plus ketamine, methamphetamine and marijuana and more than $5,000 in cash.

 

In anticipation of problems at the May 29, 2010 event, more than 100 law enforcement officers from 25 local, state and federal agencies were on duty. It is reported that 68 adults and five minors were arrested on various drug-related charges. Officers also seized approximately 800 tablets of ecstasy, plus varying amounts of LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

 

DISCUSSION:

Based upon this history, these types of Cow Palace events have become known for their concentrations of use and distribution of illegal substances. These events should not take place at the Cow Palace because of the health and safety risks for those attending the functions and of the residential community surrounding the Cow Palace.

 

The Cow Palace is operated as an agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Fairs and Expositions. The proposed resolution urges the Legislature to enact Legislation limiting the ability of the Cow Palace to permit the use of its facility for “rave” events.

 

The adoption of the resolution will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by ensuring that rave events, which are not safe for the attendees or the surrounding community, are prohibited from being held at the Cow Palace.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.