Lawmakers Urge Governor to Sign Legislation into Law That Can Help Shut Down NYC Nightclubs with Violent Track Records
Standing in front of the infamous nightclub,
Club Eleven, in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx, Senator Klein and
Assemblyman Crespo announced legislation passed by both houses in the state
legislature that would close the information gap between the New York Police
Department and State Liquor Authority when it comes to crimes committed at
bars, nightclubs and restaurants with liquor licenses.
In the wake of a prolonged effort by the Hunts
Point community to revoke the liquor licenses of crime-plagued nightclubs like
Club Eleven, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo successfully sponsored
legislation to help shut down licensed institutions with track records of
criminal activity. Under their legislation, communities would be able to
recommend what types of information the NYPD provide the SLA regarding criminal
activity at licensed establishments.
This legislation would also establish a
systematic process for the NYPD to transfer usable information on criminal
activities to the SLA. This would allow the SLA to be systematically informed
of all crimes and complaints that could threaten a community’s quality of life
or put residents in danger. These crimes could include, assault, prostitution,
drug trafficking, unreasonable noise, littering, obstructing a pedestrian,
public urination or underage drinking. With this additional information, the
SLA would have a more complete profile of the frequency and types of criminal
activity occurring at and around venues with liquor licenses.
Alongside community leaders from across the
Bronx, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo called on Governor Cuomo to sign
this legislation into law.
Senate Majority Coalition Leader
Jeff Klein said, “Establishments like Club Eleven are cesspools of
violence and crime that have no place in our strong, working class communities.
That’s why Assemblyman Crespo and community leaders from across the Bronx urge
Governor Cuomo to immediately sign this bill into law. This law would encourage
better communication between the SLA and the NYPD regarding criminal activity,
allowing the SLA to better understand how certain licensed venues are putting
the community’s quality of life in jeopardy. By making sure we are all on the
same page, I believe we can get in front of the violence and keep our
communities safe and our neighborhoods strong.”
"We have the fabric of communities all across our state
being torn apart and the safety of New Yorkers threatened by establishments
that abuse their privilege to hold a State liquor license. This legislation
will help the State Liquor Authority (SLA) access police data on crimes
committed at and around licensed businesses. It will also allow for additional
community input so that the SLA will be able to make a better determination on
granting or renewing liquor licenses,” said Assemblyman
Marcos Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Cities.
“These changes to the law are part of the ongoing work of Senator Klein and
myself to improve public safety and make our neighborhoods a safer place to
live and raise our families. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation
into law."
Community Board 2 Chair Dr. Ian Amritt
said, "Our
community board has done everything possible to protect our neighborhood from
the violence and destruction that center around nightclubs like Club Eleven.
While we are concerned about violent crimes that happen at venues like Club
Eleven, our community is also deeply affected by other issues like noise,
reckless driving and littering. This legislation would allow us to give law
enforcement and the SLA a fuller picture of how certain local bars and lounges
are truly compromising our quality of life. I thank Senator Klein and
Assemblyman Crespo for their leadership on this issue and urge Governor Cuomo
to sign this legislation into law.”
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