San Francisco police reported minor flare-ups of violence in the Mission District as disappointed San Francisco 49ers fans reacted to their team's loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday during the Super Bowl.
A few people threw bottles at police officers around 24th and Mission streets and 16th and Mission streets following the 49ers 34-31 loss, according to Officer Carlos Manfredi. And as of 10 p.m., police had arrested 25 people, mostly for being drunk.
Police were doing their best to prevent more major calamities; they shut down parts of the Mission to stop cars from cruising and parking, and street sweepers cleaned up any potential fire hazards.
"I think they're doing a great job," said Shanah Ucan of San Francisco. "People are safe, people who want to come out and enjoy what's happening."
The city was much calmer than when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in October. Back then, several vandals took to the streets, setting fires, breaking windows and torching a Muni bus.
For the Super Bowl, Mayor Ed Lee had worked with police, fire and bar owners to prevent such mayhem from happening on the streets in San Francisco, even asking patrons to not serve hard alcohol and cut customers off if they were getting too drunk.
"It's nowhere compared to the Giants," Manfredi said.
At Pete's Tavern in San Francisco, the mood was definitely somber, as fans clapped their hands to the heads as the Niners lost the game. Still, many said they were proud of their hometown team.
Marvin Miller/ Oakland:
"We're still second place," said Marvin Miller of Oakland. "We are still better than every other team out there. And Harbaugh brought us farther in one season than any other coach did in years. "
Elsewhere in the city, in neighborhoods such as the Haight Ashbury, fans reported a somber mood but no violence. Although in some part of the city, residents felt the need to set off some fireworks, despite the loss.
Lee congratulated the 49ers for their "spectacular performance" despite the 34-31 defeat.
"The entire team demonstrated what you can accomplish with enough perseverance and teamwork," Lee said in a statement. "The journey of the 49ers in their 'Quest for Six' reinvigorated San Francisco Bay Area football fans in a way unseen for nearly two decades."
Bay City News contributed to this report.
