Pot Holiday

ARCATA ASKS RESIDENTS TO STAY AWAY FROM 4/20 FRENZY

Arcata officials are discouraging residents from visiting Redwood
Park on Tuesday for the spontaneous, and costly, unofficial marijuana holiday.

April 20 has become something of a spectacle in Arcata, with anywhere
from hundreds to thousands of people coming into Redwood Park. The
event turns into an unsanctioned "big party," with responsibility
falling back to the city for cleanup, City Manager Randy Mendosa said.

Asking residents not to go to the event is a new tactic for the city.
Mendosa said he hopes the experiment works and discourages people who
are used to going each year. Parents should also talk with their
children about not going to the event, he said.

The city is not discouraging participation because of issues with
medical marijuana sanctioned through the state and a city ordinance,
but rather because of illegal activity that occurs and the damage the
large group often causes. People have the right to go to such a
"spontaneous gathering," but often Redwood Park is negatively
impacted by the event, Mendosa said.

"It takes a lot of city resources to clean up what's left behind and
for police officers to be out there," Mendosa said.

According to a press release from the city, access roads to the park
will be closed to vehicles on Tuesday to address public safety concerns.

North Coast Resource Center Executive Director John Shelter suggested
the city take ownership of the day and create a different event, such
as a Renaissance fair, to occupy the space instead.

"We're going to watch these people take over our park, and they
aren't nice people," he said.

The mess left behind in Redwood Park after the event is a hazard to
others who then want to use it.

The city should provide additional bathroom facilities and trash cans
in the area so the city would be "protecting all of us after these
idiots leave," Shelter said.

Mendosa said the city cannot provide additional facilities, because
it could make them responsible for accidents at the event, even
though the one toilet becomes "pretty rank" by the end of the day.

"That is an exposure to liability that we are unable to take on at
this time," Mendosa said.

Arcata Police Department Chief Tom Chapman said information regarding
the event was being handled through the city manager's office, but
added, "Hopefully, it will rain."

The APD is better set to handle the crowd this year with funding from
Measure G and the reinstatement of two ranger positions, Mendosa said.

"Even if it's raining, 200 to 300 people will show up," Mendosa said.
"If it's a nice day outside, several thousand people could show up."

Neighbors of Redwood Park and some Arcata residents have expressed
dismay at the growing event, and more complaints come in to city
offices every year. The city is currently working to trim its budget
everywhere possible to balance the numbers.

Medical marijuana advocate and Eureka resident David Kasakove said
that although he hasn't been to the event in recent years, he
remembers it being an open and "interesting social phenomenon." It
could be used as an educational and informative event if local groups
took hold of it.

Right now, "It's a party for those that aren't doing the political
work," Kasakove said.