Home / Sports / Watch Parties Shrink as Brockton Enforces 7 PM Curfew
Watch Parties Shrink as Brockton Enforces 7 PM Curfew
4 Jul
Summary
- Businesses report significantly fewer patrons due to a strict 7 PM curfew.
- A 7 PM curfew is preventing patrons from entering bars after that time.
- Event planner lost over $20,000 due to last-minute curfew decisions.
Businesses in Brockton are facing financial losses and reduced customer turnouts as a result of a newly enforced 7 PM curfew. Events like watch parties for Cabo Verde's matches, which previously drew large crowds, are now seeing significantly smaller numbers. Ann's Palace, a prominent event space, observed a drop from over 700 patrons to approximately 100.
Rose Calixte, the manager and CEO of Ann's Palace, acknowledged the safety concerns behind the curfew but highlighted the detrimental impact on local businesses. She stated the community needs to find better solutions. The curfew dictates that patrons cannot enter or re-enter bars after 7 PM, forcing difficult choices for both businesses and attendees.
Further compounding the issue, event planner Joel Pierre-Louis indicated that last-minute decisions regarding the curfew cost him over $20,000. He had been coordinating a large watch party in the parking lot behind Ann's Palace, which was impacted by these changes. Security measures were heightened at events, with guards conducting pat-downs for attendees.
The crowd's engagement intensified during key moments of the match, such as when Cabo Verde threatened offensively or when goalkeeper Vozinha made crucial saves. For some attendees, like William Medero, the outcome of the match influenced their post-curfew plans, with a potential celebration in Boston if Cabo Verde won. Medero also commented on the increased global recognition for Cape Verde due to their World Cup participation.
