COW PALACE BOARD TAKES POSITIVE STEP, ENDS RAVES

If self-neglect is a vile sin, as described by William Shakespeare,
then studied introspection is the gateway to atonement. Contrition
requires courage, and the nine-member governing board of the Cow
Palace deserves kudos for taking a long-awaited first step toward
recognizing and righting a wrong.

In the wake of the Oct. 29 Spookfest 2010 electronic music festival,
which saw some 17 attendees requiring ambulance rides to area
hospitals, the Cow Palace implemented an indefinite moratorium on such
concerts, "until conditions change," declared Cow Palace CEO Joseph
Barkett.

This unanimous decision by the Cow Palace's board is absolutely
correct; a decision that - if taken to the next step - could
potentially save millions of dollars in public resources and perhaps a
few lives.

Since 2002, the Cow Palace has hosted various rave-type events that
have collectively generated more than 250 drug-related arrests;
seizures of myriad illegal drugs ranging from ecstasy to LSD to
cocaine and methamphetamines; and four deaths. The most recent two
fatalities were linked to the Memorial Day weekend Pop 2010 rave.

Over the years, the associated costs borne by police and fire agencies
and a few area hospitals are easily into the multiple millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, members of the Daly City City Council, public safety
leaders, physicians, county supervisors as well as ordinary families
living near the Cow Palace have begged the arena's management to
consider its neighbors and to please stop the madness. Such pleas
seemingly went nowhere for years - until now.

The biggest challenge for local authorities is that as state property,
the Cow Palace is not subject to any municipal or county ordinances
mitigating the effects of large-scale events, including time, traffic
and noise.

How such a facility can become a better resident of Daly City and San
Mateo County is an open question that deserve public consideration,
especially from those who live next door. What does the public think
regarding future events at the Cow Palace?

The Cow Palace is unique, based on its status, size and location.
Other large venues, such as the San Mateo County Event Center and
Mountain View's Shoreline Amphitheatre, have existing policies
acknowledging their effects on surrounding residential neighborhoods
and operations are adjusted accordingly.

This is the appropriate next step for the Cow Palace. It is hoped that
this is the change in conditions to which Barkett refers.

Approaching its 70th anniversary in 2011, the Cow Palace remains a
large public facility in the middle of an urban, residential
community. Its operators would do well to use this self-imposed rave
moratorium to adopt policies and practices that meet its own needs as
well as those of its neighbors.