San Diego officials appeal to an illegal floating party held in July on Mission Bay, sending the organizers an invoice of $ 54,000 to cover rescue rescuers and the police control by the police and the park guards.
The objective of invoices is to discourage organizers from welcoming a fifth annual tan festival, an event where hundreds of people gather on flotation devices in the northwest corner of Mission Bay.
City officials say that the event, where many participants drink alcohol, are chaotic, dangerous and generally require many rescues and extreme vigilance by the police and the Rangers guards.
There is no admission to the event, which is called “floatopia” by certain participants. But the organizers, who promote the event on various social media platforms, include links to buy tanks and other related products.
City officials say they are convinced that they have sent the bill to the right people because they have been working with the organizers since the spring of 2023 to help them obtain the necessary permits for the event.
Two women identified by the city as the organizers did not respond to the emails of the Union-Tribune requesting a comment on the city’s invoice and the situation in general.
In a letter that the city sent to the organizers on February 5 with the invoices, the city officials explain that the organizers are not exempt from responsibility simply because they do not charge admission and do not coordinate music and the sellers.
“As discussed with you in 2024 and 2023, when a special event is organized without a special event license and one is required, or that an event is carried out in violation of the terms of a special event licensed, the ‘Organizer of the event will be responsible for all the costs of the city committed to staff and equipment for a response to public security caused or reinforced by the negative impacts of the event, ”indicates the letter.
The city claims that the fourth annual tan festival, which was held on July 27 last summer, required 24 rescuers of rescuers, four noisy music stops, 37 “travel endings”, two seizures, 16 quotes from ‘Alcohol and seven warnings to smoke illegally in a park.
The total invoice of $ 54,482 includes $ 39,338 for the police, $ 10,555 for rescuers, $ 4,320 for park rangers and $ 269 for the staff of the City’s special events.
“The unable to free water events create a dangerous situation for the public and the rescuers,” said the head of the rescuer James Gartland last week. “The unforeseen addition of large crowds and ships on water makes it extremely difficult to observe water and prevent drowning and injuries.”
Gartland said that a dangerous rescue of three juveniles was necessary at one of the festivals.
The member of the Municipal Council Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes Mission Bay, said that the organizers had to undergo the consequences of their bad decisions.
“It is concern that the organizers have chosen to move forward with this event despite not having the appropriate permits and being informed that they would be condemned to a fine for the use of staff of the city which would be necessary for rescue operations, “said Campbell. “Actions have consequences and organizers must now join the impact of their irresponsible decision.”
It seems very unlikely that the organizers get a license.
The major events are prohibited in the Bay Mission Park between the Memorial Day and the Labor Day. But even if the event is moved outside this window, the special event permits are distributed by the lottery and require the approval of the rescuers of the city and the Bay Park mission committee.
City officials say that their main objective is to prevent future festivals, and not reimbursement. But they told the organizers that the invoice will go to the city’s collections if it is not paid by March 10, and they said that the lack of paying could affect the credit reports of the organizers.
The festival generally takes place between Santa Clara and San Rafael Places, south of the Catamaran hotel.
California Daily Newspapers
