SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco City Hall stands by its decision to cancel the annual Castro Halloween party.

But city officials are still planning to deal with big crowds.

SLIDESHOW: Castro Halloween 2005

City leaders said they expect thousands of people to show up in the Castro District despite efforts to discourage them from gathering.

Nine people were shot during last year's Halloween bash in the Castro, prompting a decision by city leaders this year to not shut down Market Street for traffic or provide portable toilets for the crowds. Instead the city hoped to offer an alternative by planning a large-scale event by AT&T Park. But, no party has been planned for that spot.

So, in an effort to further discourage the crowd from converging in the traditional Halloween hangout at the Castro, city leaders have decided to staff 600 police officers in the area, reported the Chronicle.

Last year there were 500 officers staffed for the Castro party.

There will also be at least 14 sheriff vans to hold the drunken partiers on site and for the first time, California Highway Patrol will set up DUI checkpoints in the area.

Probation officers will be looking for any underage revelers violating probation or their 10 p.m. curfew.

The city also plans to tape public service announcements this week to discourage people from visiting the Castro on Halloween. Water trucks will hose down the streets to keep partiers on the sidewalk.