Comments on: Greasy McKinley And Other Chaos-Busters – December 15, 2011

By: Plaza’s Center A No-Climb Zone For New Year’s Eve – December 28, 2011 | The Arcata Eye

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:32:03 +0000

[...] suggested at the Nov. 30 meeting included beefier police presence during holidays, curbs on alcohol sales and offering alternative [...]

By: Former student/current resident

Former student/current resident — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:57:12 +0000

I am understandably upset with the behavior of those who trashed the plaza….but the solution is NOT to erect fences and limit the freedoms of every citizen. We have a police force for a reason – a police force that as I recall has been given additional funding within the last few years (measure G…). Yet when things got “too scary” on the plaza the officers took a “hands off approach”….So we pay extra taxes to additionally support APD, and they quit when things get too intense….hmmm I wonder where all these students and havoc-wreckers got the idea that lawless behavior was ok…maybe it was when all the cops ran away. I believe posting officers in the bars would help to limit over-serving, and if officers had a general presence on the plaza among the crowd actually citing people for things like drinking in public…maybe just maybe things could get back under control. Or maybe we’ll have to fork over even more tax dollars to our beloved APD so that they can again do nothing and then blame the citizens….

By: Ian Ray

Ian Ray — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:27 +0000

Rocky Horror Picture Show was another good diversion from chaos. This type of semi-acceptable and semi-public spectacle has locally evolved into the secretive Impropriety Society which I doubt the drunken bottle throwers would ever attend.

By: Indica Jones

Indica Jones — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:16:33 +0000

Three-legged chairs? Pillows? I see that the inmates are still running the asylum up there.

By: Former student and resident

Former student and resident — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:50:39 +0000

When i was a lad at HSU the plaza was not a place to go on such holidays because there were other diversions such as house parties and concerts. The best way to solve this issue is not with a city council or APD action but multiple events on these days in safe areas that interest the students while minimizing cost to the cIty and away from the bars. Prohibiting or taxing alcohol is not the answer. Make the plaza the least preferred and inexpensive alternative— not one filled with pillows, lube, fun obstacles to tear down and especially more reason to stuff a bottle down your pants! Great reporting, but the worst ideas aired in a public forum since last Halloween.

By: Arcata Student

Arcata Student — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:52:47 +0000

During occupy L.A the city constructed wood fences around the fountains to keep them from getting ruined. They also encouraged people to paint on it. Maybe arcata can do something similar to the statue. Local artists can paint on it, and if something really magnificent comes up, it can get auctioned off, with the profits going to plaza restoration.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:43:52 +0000

I was once a college student at HSU, and every year there was a huge party up at a house off LK Wood. Everyone would be there and there was only mild activity on the plaza. Based on the turnout at the plaza this last year I’m guessing there was no party house? Why would anyone want to go to the cold plaza in their not so warm costumes if there is a house somewhere that can provide warmth, a descent places to sit, a bathroom and possibly a keg or some smoke to mooch off of? Looking at the you tube videos, I hate to say it, but those looked like young college kids or possibly even some high schoolers. Just because only 3 students got arrested doesn’t mean they weren’t the majority of party goers reeking havoc on the plaza. What I also saw on the videos was glass in hand. Lots of folks with glass bottles and smoking, two things that are not permitted on the plaza. Perhaps APD should have focused their plaza influence on enforcing no glass or smoking in order to create a better image of authority to deter excessive deliquent behavior. A great example of this practice would be 420 in Redwood Park. In my time there (excluding the last couple), the influence of local law enforcement focused on enforcement of park rules and regulations. And even sharing “meds”. By doing this it creates an authority image of “don’t do something stupid or you will get ticketed” and there was also lack of violence at the event. Obviously alcohol is more likely to make someone violent that pot, but you get the idea.

By: kevpod

kevpod — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:43:14 +0000

Again the intrusive hand of the nanny state with the big buzzkill.

By: Ian Ray

Ian Ray — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:40:20 +0000

Section 25600 of California’s Business and Professions Code appears to forbid a litter for alcohol contest. Some other Halloween and New Year’s Eve items must be tradable for trash collection. Coupons?

By: Ian Ray

Ian Ray — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:27:33 +0000

Perhaps one solution may be temporary paddocks similar to the later Bebop and Brews. Volunteers could lead rotational litter collection contests by luring participants with three free beer tickets.