RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION URGING STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION LIMITING THE ABILITY OF THE COW PALACE TO PERMIT THE USE OF ITS FACILITY

FOR “RAVE” EVENTS

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, 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 people hospitalized with life threatening symptoms. It is further reported that two people suffered fatal overdoses at a 2003 New Year’s Eve rave event at the Cow Palace; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, at rave event held at the Cow Palace, it is reported that 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; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, at a rave event held at the Cow Palace, it is reported that 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; and

WHEREAS, based upon this trend, these types of Cow Palace events have become known for their concentrations of use and distribution of illegal substances; and

WHEREAS, this Board of Supervisors strongly believes that such events should not take place at the Cow Palace because of the health and safety risks for those attending these functions and the community surrounding the Cow Palace; and

WHEREAS, the Cow Palace is operated by the 1-A District Agricultural Association, an agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED that this Board of Supervisors urge the State Legislature to enact Legislation limiting the ability of the Cow Palace to permit the use of its facility for "rave" events.

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