SF Club Shuttered For Operating Illegally, City Says: Coronavirus

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced Monday that he shut down a nightclub allegedly operating illegally in the city's Bayview District amid the novel coronavirus-related stay-at-home order, which mandated the closure of all non-essential businesses.

According to Herrera's office, the club was operating out of an industrial building at 2266 Shafter Ave.

An investigation between April 4 and April 6 showed more than 150 people enter and exit the building during the early morning hours.

Investigators didn't observe any of the patrons practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet, and at certain times, between 20 and 30 cars were seen arriving or departing outside of the building on an hourly basis.

Then last Wednesday, an investigator again witnessed multiple cars coming and going from the building, and groups of people not practicing social distancing entering and exiting. Additionally, loud music and strobe lights could be heard and seen from inside, Herrera's office said.

In addition to the illegal gatherings, a witness reported hearing at least five gunshots near the club during the early hours of March 15. The shooting is currently under investigation by San Francisco police.

Herrera said aside from violating the stay-at-home order, which aims to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the illegal club was also operating at a building that wasn't permitted for entertainment uses, lacking proper sprinklers, fire alarms and exits.

On Friday, Herrera was able to get a civil inspection and abatement warrant from a judge and moved to shutter the space for violating the health order. The warrant was the first such issued in the city to enforce the stay-at-home order.

The following day, on Saturday, police officers entered the building and seized DJ equipment, two fog machines, nine gambling machines with a total of $670 cash inside, two pool tables, bins of liquor, cases of beer, and furniture, among other items.

"This pandemic is deadly serious. People need to treat it that way," Herrera said in a statement.

"The operators of this illegal club senselessly put lives at risk in a time when our city is doing everything within our means to slow the spread of this pandemic and safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public," police Chief Bill Scott said. "Let this case be a reminder that we will take action against those who knowingly violate the public health order and endanger the health and safety of our residents."

The public health order, issued by city health officials on March 16, is set to last until at least May 3.

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