The Shadow Comments on Halloween in the Castro

Halloween was over a week ago and most people have now gone about their business getting ready for the election and the holidays.

But not in San Francisco.

For those of you who may not have heard -- Halloween is a big deal here in San Francisco. Usually in the Castro District of the city -- which is the predominantly gay area of the city -- a large party ensues. In past years, this has been a peaceful party drawing upwards of 300,000 people. But not so this year.

This year's party turned into a shootout at the end of the party. Nine people were shot and another woman was trampled just as police were starting to break up the party. It brought an ugly end to a party whose roots go back almost 50 years.

A debate is now in progress on whether to cancel the party altogether or modify it more to avoid this type of thing happening again.

The Shadow's advice to the city -- let the party go on but under certain restrictions:

1. There should be admission charged for this party ($5.00 is good -- the money can then go to a charity)

2. There needs to be an age limit (21 and over).

3. The party needs to be held on the weekend before Halloween -- not on the actual night itself.

San Francisco's mayor has established a task force to deal with what to do with this party. The Shadow will keep all informed as information develops.