A business owner next door to a Miramar warehouse that hosted a New Year’s Eve party that defied public health orders said Thursday night’s event was not an isolated incident.
“The guys next to us have been throwing parties all the time here, I think we’re ignoring COVID rules and regulations and they’re just doing their thing and they don’t follow any provisions,” City Signs owner Sydney Rosin told NBC 7.
At least three partygoers were injured during the New Year’s Eve riot when a scene collapsed under the weight of a crowd, according to the San Diego Police Department. Shortly afterwards, dozens of people were seen fleeing the warehouse, located on Trade Street, near Camino Santa Fe, north of Miramar Road.
Rosin said several parties were held at the warehouse next to his business. Next to City Signs are two free suites – one directly next door and one above. Both warehouses are rented by the same person and were used for parties. It is not clear whether the person renting the units is responsible for throwing the events or whether they are subletting the space.
Cigarette butts, solo red cups and empty beer cans and bottles of alcohol thrown outside the area indicate a nearby social gathering, and Rosin said he is worried that Thursday’s event will affect his business.
He told NBC 7 that he was worried that the public would falsely assume that City Signs had anything to do with the parties. Rosin said he reported the events “three or four times” to 211, but saw no action taken.
“I felt that we could never call a certain number to get them to take action immediately. They would just take it under examination, write the documentation and say “OK, we’ll review it”, which I think is very wrong “.
Dave Summers from NBC 7 arrived at the warehouse while guests were depositing.
The property manager was also briefed on the incidents and said a board meeting would be held on the matter. However, nothing was done, according to Rosin.
Although another party thrown at his business was not the ideal way to end the year, Rosin said he was “relieved” that the incidents were coming to light.
“The reason is that, hopefully, something will be done about it now, as opposed to the fact that I’m upset about it for months and months,” he said. “I felt that my hands were tied so hopefully that something can be done about it now and people can move on and do what they should be doing.”