San Francisco Police Prepare Early For Pride Celebration
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco police are already making crowd control plans for this year's Pride Celebration, following the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old during last year's event.
Last June on Pink Saturday, Stephen Powell was near the intersection of Castro and Market, when someone pulled a gun and shot him four times in the chest.
Two other victims were shot in the legs, but survived. Police said it was not a hate crime, but gang-related and don't want a repeat this year.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
San Francisco Police Captain Greg Corrales said they don't want the party to get so big that it's hard to control the crowds and they're cracking down on outside drinking.
"They're not going to be able to go into a tavern, purchase a drink and take it out into the street with them," he said. "It has to be consumed in the establishment."
Gang Task Force officers will be on patrol as well as officers on bicycles.
This year's San Francisco Pride Celebration is set for the weekend of June 25 and 26.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
