San Francisco police Chief Greg Suhr said today his department did not anticipate the destructive behavior by Giants fans after the World Series win on Sunday night but said police have plans to ensure nothing similar happens at Wednesday’s parade for the team.
A total of 36 people were arrested, 23 for felonies, while dozens of businesses were vandalized and a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus was set on fire in the wake of the Giants’ 4-3, extra-inning game on Sunday that completed a four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, Suhr said.
The chief said the revelry started peacefully, but “after the original, understandable celebration comes the almost mystifying belief that some people can just come trash San Francisco.”
Suhr said the destructive behavior was “a one-up” on San Francisco’s celebration of the Giants’ World Series win over the Texas Rangers in 2010 and came as a surprise to authorities.
Safety concerns initially prevented firefighters from coming to extinguish multiple bonfires set in the middle of streets in the Mission District. The fires were eventually put out after police escorted the firefighters through the crowds, he said.
Police are still looking for who set the Muni 8X-Bayshore Express bus on fire at Market and Kearny streets, Suhr said. Eight passengers plus the driver were all able to get out safely before the bus was set ablaze, he said.
The bus cost $1 million after it was revamped recently, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said.
Vandals also sprayed graffiti on storefronts along several blocks of Mission Street.
One officer suffered a broken finger in the mayhem while another injured a wrist. Other officers were struck by glass bottles but did not require medical treatment, Suhr said.
The chief said police, fire and other city departments have already started planning for Wednesday’s parade, which also falls on Halloween.
He said the parade route is simpler than the one in 2010, which followed the route taken by the Giants when the team first came to San Francisco from New York in 1958.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the foot of Market Street and will end at Civic Center Plaza.
“It’s a straight shot up Market,” rather than 2010’s parade that had multiple turns and was harder for police to fully monitor.
He said the parade should be tamer than Sunday’s raucous celebration given that it’s on a weekday and during the day.
“It’ll be a family event” in which the city can “tell the Giants how much they appreciate their efforts,” Suhr said.
Mayor Ed Lee said at a separate event today that the arrests and destruction will not mar the excitement for the hometown team.
“I’m not going to let the spirit of this city be destroyed by 36 people. We’re going to move forward with a great parade, a great celebration, a wonderful celebration,” Lee said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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