NEWS FROM COMMUNITY BOARD 9
William Rivera Chairman
I am happy to announce the State Liquor Authority's (SLA's) decision to suspend D-Lounge's liquor license. This suspension is in response to the 18 violations (including becoming a police focal point, unregistered bounces, and assault) related to the shooting at the establishment Sunday. I want to thank the all Community Board Members , NYPD, NYS SLA, & Elected Officials for their aid in bringing a swift resolution to this community nuisance. See below for additional details in the official press release from today.
William Rivera
Chairman
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2015
SLA ISSUES IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY SUSPENSION FOR D LOUNGE
Shootings, Assaults at Bronx Bar Leads to License Suspension
Albany, NY – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of 1237 Castle Hill Avenue Corporation, doing business as “D Lounge” at 1237 Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx. The suspension was ordered by Members of the SLA, Chairman Dennis Rosen, Commissioner Jeanique Greene and Commissioner Kevin Kim at a special meeting of the Full Board on Friday, March 20, 2015.
On March 15, 2015, New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers responded to a call for multiple shots fired directly in front of D Lounge. An investigation determined the incident was instigated when two groups of patrons began fighting inside the premises. According to NYPD reports, four victims were assaulted with bar stools during the encounter and transported to Jacobi Hospital for treatment. During the skirmish, ten rounds of shots were fired at a group of patrons standing directly outside the bar at 1237 Castle Hill Avenue. A ballistic search found seven .40 caliber shell casings, in addition to bullet holes lodged in the front gate of the New York City Fire Department house at 1224 Castle Hill Avenue.
“Miraculously, no one was killed or maimed during last weekend’s shootout,” SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen said. “The SLA has an obligation to ensure this violence does not continue, and today’s immediate emergency suspension will help prevent episodes like this from occurring in the future.”
On March 20, 2015, the SLA charged D Lounge with 18 violations, including disorderly premises, assault, unregistered bouncers and for becoming a police focal point. The license for D Lounge, issued on April 11, 2014, is suspended effective immediately, prohibiting the sale and service of alcohol at the premises.
The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a State agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a license, it also serves a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the violation, considering each licensee’s disciplinary history, to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension. The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to an expedited hearing before an administrative law judge. An order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the SLA or a reviewing Court.
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