San Luis Obispo Doubles Fines for Saint Fratty's Day Revelry

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The city of San Luis Obispo has again expanded the days it is doubling fines for noise violations, public urination, open containers, and unruly gatherings associated with the annual Saint Fratty's Day celebration near the Cal Poly campus. The safety enhancement zone will be in effect from March 13-16 and March 17-18, with fines starting at $700 for noise and $1,000 for unruly gatherings. Cal Poly is also hosting an early morning concert to draw crowds away from neighborhood parties.

Why it matters

Saint Fratty's Day has become a major source of disruption and property damage in the neighborhoods surrounding the Cal Poly campus, leading the city to take increasingly strict measures to curb the revelry. The expanded safety enhancement zone and doubled fines aim to deter the rowdy behavior that has plagued the annual celebration in recent years.

The details

The safety enhancement zone took effect on March 11 and will resume on March 13, running through March 18. During this period, fines for noise violations, public urination, open containers, and unruly gatherings will be doubled, starting at $700 and $1,000 respectively. Police will not issue warnings for these offenses. Last year, an estimated 6,000-7,000 people gathered near the Cal Poly campus, leading to damaged dorms, broken glass, and widespread litter.

• The safety enhancement zone took effect on March 11 and will resume on March 13.
• The zone will run through March 18.
• On March 16, 2024, an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people gathered near the Cal Poly campus for the annual Saint Fratty's Day celebration.

What’s next

This year, Cal Poly is again hosting an on-campus concert, the sold-out Morning on the Green, at 4:45 a.m. on March 14 to draw crowds away from neighborhood parties.