Second Saturday started many years ago in the Del Paso Heights district before migrating to Midtown. Originally, the evening out catered to the art crowd, with street vendors, musicians and gourmet food. But within the last few years the event has become more like a frat party than a wine and cheese sampling. The crowd has multiplied, especially for those young and intoxicated. Traffic is chaotic, businesses are experiencing increased shoplifting and bar fights are not few and far between.
After a grizzly turnout and unruly scene for the summer's events, the City of Sacramento decided to beef up the police force for September's event. Normally 21 officers are designated to the scene, but that was increased to 26. But even the little effort did not stop the disaster.
With hundreds gathered both in and around the Midtown pub, Victor Hugo Perez Zavala, 24, was fatally shot with police posted just feet away. One would suspect that the murderer would be easily caught within the large crowd and officers standing by, but the killer got away.
The death of Zalvala is the second murder in the Midtown area so far in 2010. To put it in perspective, the murder total for all of 2009 was zero. The increase in crime is making Midtown residents question the monthly tradition, with some rallying together to shut it down.
But those living in Midtown are not the only ones with a say. We must not forget the ethically and socially responsible business owner. Many Midtown businesses depend on the profits from the Second Saturday event. Some entrepreneurs call it "rent day" as a business can make over their entire month's rent in just a few hours. With the tough economy, Second Saturday is vital for struggling shops. To eliminate the entire event would put a major financial strain on some Midtown staples, and perhaps even put some out of business.
But a shooting? Are we really going to let someone die for increased sales?
Of course we can't blame the death of a man on an event that is aimed to bring the community together. But the fatality cannot simply be brushed under the rug. If Second Saturday is not shut down or at least put on hold for a while, many Midtown residents, including myself, may be looking elsewhere to live. At the same time, if Second Saturday does cease to exist some Midtown businesses may fade to black simultaneously. Since the combination of residents and business create the unique, urban area, the fate of the entire neighborhood is truly what is at stake.
Will there be a Second Saturday in October 2010? The debate over the next few weeks is sure to be an interesting one.
But those living in Midtown are not the only ones with a say. We must not forget the ethically and socially responsible business owner. Many Midtown businesses depend on the profits from the Second Saturday event. Some entrepreneurs call it "rent day" as a business can make over their entire month's rent in just a few hours. With the tough economy, Second Saturday is vital for struggling shops. To eliminate the entire event would put a major financial strain on some Midtown staples, and perhaps even put some out of business.
But a shooting? Are we really going to let someone die for increased sales?
Of course we can't blame the death of a man on an event that is aimed to bring the community together. But the fatality cannot simply be brushed under the rug. If Second Saturday is not shut down or at least put on hold for a while, many Midtown residents, including myself, may be looking elsewhere to live. At the same time, if Second Saturday does cease to exist some Midtown businesses may fade to black simultaneously. Since the combination of residents and business create the unique, urban area, the fate of the entire neighborhood is truly what is at stake.
Will there be a Second Saturday in October 2010? The debate over the next few weeks is sure to be an interesting one.
Good point, and I agree; the time between now and october 9th is sure to host many a heated argument.
ReplyDeleteExcellent column.
ReplyDeleteThe arguments are well-stated; the details enlightening.
Several bits of writing (and style) stand out:
"But within the last few years the event has become more like a frat party than a wine and cheese sampling. "
and this:
"To eliminate the entire event would put a major financial strain on some Midtown staples, and perhaps even put some out of business.
But a shooting? Are we really going to let someone die for increased sales?"
Indeed - excellent point, and very well stated.
What the writer has succeeded in doing here is explain the situation, adding reasonable drama and asked the reader to ponder the solutions.
Very nicely done.