The debate on whether to impose a curfew at San Antonio's Hemisfair Park is heating up, with the City Council set to discuss the proposal this week. The park, which serves as a downtown oasis for families and tourists alike, is one of the few parks in the city that doesn't observe a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. This could change if the City Council votes to revise the City Code, which currently exempts Hemisfair and only five other parks from the curfew ordinance. According to a presentation by city staff back in June, the push for the curfew comes after multiple safety reports and incidents, including shootings during Fiesta San Antonio in April, as detailed by MySanAntonio.
Local stakeholders, including the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, have come together to supportively endorse the proposed curfew. Businesses around the park are reportedly in favor of the change, with Councilman Marc Whyte stating earlier this summer that "the business owners are for it" and the Parks and Recreation Department staff recommending the curfew. Residents, hotel guests, and those merely passing through to their hotel or car would not be affected by the new rule, given the allowance for an "affirmative defense" as per City Council presentation materials obtained by KENS 5.
Assistant City Manager Lori Houston highlighted during the June 28 Public Safety Committee meeting the tenants' concerns and support for a curfew, implying the move could enhance security and safety in the bustling area. District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur mentioned the discussions around the curfew surfaced after incidents that took place during the city's popular Fiesta San Antonio, according to MySanAntonio.
While the proposed curfew aims to address safety concerns, San Antonio police data shows that more than half of all service calls occur outside of the potential curfew hours—from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., suggesting nighttime at Hemisfair Park may not currently be a significant problem area. Nevertheless, Andres Andujar, CEO of Hemisfair, believes in a proactive approach. "Perception is very critical for a destination like Hemisfair in that we need to protect," Andujar told KENS 5, emphasizing the need for preemptive actions to maintain the location's reputation for safety and order.
As the community and city officials continue to weigh in on the matter, the San Antonio City Council will consider the curfew proposal during their meeting tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m.
