Nadel to Port of Oakland - get a permit!
Some of you may recall that June was the month the circus came to town, or to be more precise, Jack London Square. Unfortunately for many the arrival of "Cal's Bumpin' Big Top Circus Show" all the way from Atlanta wasn't such a cause for celebration. On Memorial Day, a strictly no-construction day, they were running jack hammers all afternoon while erecting the big top, and then for three days (and nights) residents as far as 4th Street could hear their show rehearsals going on until well after midnight. After that the nightly shows went on until 11pm with music that could still be heard very clearly blocks away.

Naturally some people complained, some even called the police. The police wouldn't do anything because they thought it was a City issue, The City thought it was the police who issued permits, and the Port of Oakland who's land the circus was on, just threw up their hands and said they don't need permits. They even claimed only one person (from The Landing) had ever complained and after that the circus had not performed after 10pm), something we know is not true at all.

After much persistence from the 3rd Street resident who originally called the police the problem was escalated to our council member Nancy Nadel. Eventually after navigating through the Port smokescreen she determined they are not exempt from obtaining appropriate permits and admonished them for not doing so. So hopefully next time a noisy public performance comes to town they'll be made aware of our local noise ordinances. If not you can be sure the police, City and the Port of Oakland will hear all about it - loud and clear - until something is done about it.
Posted 6/24/2005