Thanks to the general chaos from last year's 4/20 gathering, a whole lot of city employees will be working this Easter. That is right, the most cherished and anticipated day in all of weed culture, 4/20, falls on Easter Sunday.
But before you pack your special glass bubbler and vape pen for a picnic of edibles, hash oil, and weed at Golden Gate Park, be warned: Cops will be everywhere (so will queer nuns). The city plans to crack down on this year's 4/20 festivities on Hippie Hill after last year's event spurred a lot of traffic, trash, not-so-sober fights, and underage drinking.
Almost 15,000 people descended on Hippie Hill last year on 4/20 to ingest marijuana and bask in the glory of weed culture, leaving behind 10,000 pounds of litter. The irony of earth-loving stoners littering 5 tons of garbage in a single afternoon wasn't lost on anyone. But it was not so funny to the Parks and Recreation Department which got stuck with a $15,000 clean-up bill.
After that, the city started making plans to ensure the marijuana extravaganza didn't get out of hand again this year.
See Also: Watch These Cops Confiscate a 2-Pound Joint
Supervisor London Breed, whose district includes the Haight, is leading the charge to rein-in marijuana enthusiasts. And she's serious about it. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, she outlined strategies police will use to crack down on underage drinking and drug sales.
In case you forgot: Police Chief Suhr is reminding all that you're not living in Colorado Selling weed is still a felony in California.
For those just smoking, vaping, or munching on pot, Suhr had the following advice for you: "If everyone would just be cool, it would be cool," said Suhr.
In other words, the cops aren't really looking to cite marijuana users on Easter. Just remember to pick up your trash and don't act like an idiot, and you should be fine.
As for the underage youngsters, juvenile probation will be coordinating with police making sure kids aren't drinking or smoking. If cops spot kiddos doing just that, then they'll be put on the cops' radar. Juvenile probation has these new mobile laptops that will let officers check the probation status of kids.
Aside from 4/20 celebrations, there will also be Easter egg hunts Saturday. And on Sunday, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be throwing their annual Easter party in Golden Gate Park.
To prepare for all these city-sanctioned gatherings, police will be sweeping the park Friday and Saturday night arresting illegal campers. In addition, all unpermitted booths and vendors will be slapped with citations, Suhr said.
Also, parking isn't free on Sundays just yet. So best you plug those meters and resist the urge to park illegally. There will be plenty of meter maids swarming the area, eager to write you a ticket or tow your car.
When asked whether police would be buzz kills come 4/20, the chief said something along the lines of "that's our job."
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