San Francisco police are preparing for rowdy celebrations that could erupt if the Giants clinch a World Series victory tonight or Wednesday, a police officer said today.
The Giants hold a 3-2 lead in the series against the Kansas City Royals and play in Kansas City this evening starting at 5:07 p.m.
The last time the Giants won the World Series in 2012, the subsequent revelry led to bonfires set in city streets, vandalized storefronts, at least 35 arrests and the destruction of a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus.
Police are taking steps to ensure that doesn’t happen again.
Patrols will be concentrated in the areas that got out of control after the Giants’ 2012 victory over the Detroit Tigers — primarily in the South of Market neighborhood near the ballpark and in the Mission District, police Officer Gordon Shyy said.
There will also be extra patrols in the area around Civic Center Plaza, where a large outdoor viewing party is planned.
But Shyy said a similar viewing party in 2012 did not end in the same frenzy of destruction as in SoMa or the Mission, although the crowds leaving did block city streets in the area. He said officers are not anticipating any major problems in that area.
Police are also working with other city agencies and services to coordinate preparations, including Recology to make sure trash is picked up before the game so that it doesn’t become fuel for bonfires.
Shyy said so far during the Giants’ postseason run, fans have been well-behaved, but the team’s run in 2012 didn’t cause any major problems until the World Series victory.
“We’re asking our fans to behave responsibly no matter the outcome,” Shyy said. “That’s what we’d like and expect from Giants fans.”
Scott Morris, Bay City News
