For Immediate Release 

Contact: 415-554-6931

February 26, 2010 

PUBLIC WORKS URGES ORGANIZERS TO PAY COSTS FOR PILLOW FIGHT CLEANUP

CITY TO INVESTIGATE EVENT TO RECOUP COSTS FOR PAST TWO YEARS

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) spent more than $35,000 at this year’s and last’s flash mob Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight events. DPW officials want organizers of these and similar events to follow the rules that all groups abide by: apply for a permit and provide cleanup, security and portable toilets.

“San Francisco taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for such events. The city has rules and procedures in place so that groups, both small and large, can organize and sponsor events. We’re just asking everyone to follow the same rules,” said Mohammed Nuru, Deputy Director for Operations.

The organizers are not now known and DPW may forward a complaint to the City Attorney’s office in order to begin an investigation into the organizers of the event to pay for the last two year’s cost of clean up. 2010 marked the fifth Pillow Fight event in San Francisco.

Thirty–eight staff from Public Works were assigned to clean up after the unsanctioned event who were scheduled to keep busy downtown areas clean.

DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco’s streets and much of its infrastructure. The department cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and maintains City street trees; designs, constructs and maintains city-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; constructs curb ramps; removes graffiti from public property; and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services.

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