In the wake of Saturday’s Red Bull Showrun Formula 1 demonstration event, which gathered an estimated 40,000 viewers, locals along Marina Blvd. were left to clean up a myriad of detritus left behind.
By Sunday afternoon, seven neighbors told the Standard that they continued to share stories over group chats of people peeing in yards, pulling down fire escapes, attempting to break into homes, and climbing on roofs. Broken branches and pots were splayed out along the sidewalk, as broken garage doors and windows remained visible.
While some people were still able to enjoy the event, others remained confused about how it was allowed to devolve into such mayhem. Some homes sustained broken windows, smashed planters, damaged garage doors, and busted roof tiles.
During the event itself, the lack of elevated viewing platforms pushed many attendees to use their creativity, and climb on street signs, playground structures, trees and even up facades and roofs for a better vantage point.
“It was chaos,” said Patrick Souris, 35. “It was terrible.”
Another Marina Blvd. home sustained broken roof tiles. | Source: Anonymous for SF Standard
Aside from the standstill traffic that took over the entire north side of the city through the afternoon, locals also wondered why there was such little police presence.
Souris said he only saw only a couple of cop cars, with the police “just sitting there chilling.” He also saw a person who appeared to be passed out on the street, and did not seem to receive immediate medical assistance.
Event organizers from Red Bull did not respond to the Standard’s request for comment on Sunday afternoon. The mayor’s office and the San Francisco Fire Department referred comment to the event’s organizers.
Officer Robert Rueca, a spokesperson for the SFPD, emailed the Standard to say that the Northern Police District Station did respond to calls for service on Saturday, but declined to provide further details.
“At this time we do not have information of incidents or investigations related to the event,” he wrote.
On social media, some took to leaving some critical comments of the event planning and many of those who attended.
“I really wanted to like this, but it was just a poorly set up event with some really disappointing people,” one Redditor wrote (opens in new tab) on Saturday evening.
“Shout out to the guy that climbed a traffic light and kicked the person next to me in the face, then tried to start a fight after!”
Others took to dragging Mayor Daniel Lurie in his Instagram comments (opens in new tab). The city’s leader not only showed up at the Red Bull Showrun, but suited up and hopped in one of the demo vehicles.
Some said that spectators should have had more respect.
“Whether you’re from here or not, it’s someone’s property and someone’s home,” said one person walking dogs on Marina Blvd., who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“Folks are just upset,” she added, summarizing the sentiment of her neighbors.
Nick Henderson, 26, said that he didn’t understand the uproar. Kids will be kids, he noted.
“People my age weren’t too worried,” he said. “The people I saw worried were old.”
But, he added, “if I was a homeowner, I’d be pretty pissed.”
