Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jun 2000
Source: Bay Area Reporter (CA)
Copyright: 2000 The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R.
Contact:  395 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Website: http://www.ebar.com/ 
Author: Ed Walsh

PROMOTER APOLOGIZES FOR 'MASS' MESS

Gay circuit party promoter Gus Bean is apologizing for the Mass mess that
resulted in arrests and complaints that 1015 Folsom's new anti-drug
crackdown is too aggressive. 

Seven people in line for Bean's Mass party were arrested for drug possession
on Sunday, May 28. Many of those attending vigorously complained that
security treated them as criminals and searches for drugs were too invasive.
Some said they planned to boycott future events at the 1015 club. 

"Apologies from Gus Presents for the rough treatment many of you received
this past Sunday from 1015 security at the door of Mass," wrote Bean in a
letter e-mailed to subscribers and posted on his Web site. 

Bean said 1015's crackdown was the result of its owner, Ira Sandler, having
to spend three years and over $300,000 fighting San Francisco police to keep
the club open. 

"Ira is very surprised and apologetic about the way things went down at
Mass. It seems he hired a new, very overzealous, militant asshole as his
head of security," Bean wrote. "This jerk took it upon himself to go way
overboard and embarrass, terrorize, and humiliate customers. Ira has given
his assurance that this dork will not work at the Mass door again, and as a
result of last Sunday's situation he has immediately instigated a
sensitivity training for his remaining security staff. " 

In a subsequent e-mail, Bean invited everyone to a free night at Mass last
Sunday, June 4. The cover charge for Mass is usually $20. 

Bean also posted a letter on his GusPresents.com Web site from 1015's
attorney, Joseph Wood: "The club first wishes to apologize to any attendees
of last week's Mass party who may have been subjected to treatment they
found uncivil or uncaring," Wood wrote. "The club is taking strong steps to
ensure that nothing similar occurs in the future. The club does not have the
option, however, of eliminating the security procedures themselves." 

Wood said the club is being forced to operate under an injunction as a
result of its litigation with the city forcing it to comply with a number of
rules. Those requirements include reporting anyone around the club who may
be in possession of drugs or weapons and whenever reasonably possible,
detaining suspects for police. 

"As you can also see, any potential customer who is in possession of drugs
can avoid detention by 1015 security and arrest by SFPD simply by declining
to be searched and leaving the line," Wood wrote. 

Bean concluded his open letter by offering some tips for drug takers:
"Please plan ahead before entering the club. Either ingest your recreational
substances prior to going into the club, or hide them very well [look ma, no
cavities!]. Within the course of routine 'pat downs' Ira guarantees that no
future crotch grabbing will take place." 

The seven people arrested on May 28 were arraigned last week. Assistant
District Attorney Tom Cullinan told the Bay Area Reporter that popular club
drugs including ecstasy, "special K," and GHB are considered "hard drugs."
He said that although possession of hard drugs is a felony, they are seldom
prosecuted as felonies in San Francisco. If an individual has no prior
record, Cullinan said the offense is generally treated as a misdemeanor and
the violators are referred to drug treatment programs. 

San Francisco police said that there were no arrests from the free Mass
party last Sunday.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk