Police, bars, parking lots updated on liquor issues in Bridgeport
By Susan Fong
As the baseball season began, 9th Police District Commander Eugene Roy called his third annual meeting for all liquor license holders and parking lot owners/managers in the Bridgeport/U.S. Cellular Field area. The meeting was held at the Valentine Boys’ and Girls Club at 3400 S. Emerald Ave.
Roy opened by stating that there will be strict enforcement of liquor laws inside and outside of licensed premises. Alderman James Balcer of the 11th Ward also joined Roy in asking the audience to obey the law in an effort to avert complaints and prevent adjudication, fines, and possible revocation of licenses.
On hand to speak to the audience were Deputy Directors Ron Calicchio, Shawn Burnett, and Nick Giannoules from the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA) along with Sgt. Randall Darlin from the Chicago Police Department's vice squad.
The focus of the meeting was to establish understanding of pertinent ordinances and remind licensees about proper staff training.
Calicchio began by stating that the owners of facilities serving liquor are responsible for the patrons both inside and outside of the establishment. In order to maintain safety outside the establishment, owners were asked to post visible signs for patrons to “respect neighbors by leaving quietly,” Calicchio said. The staff should also make sure that the ordinance for smoking is followed and that patrons heading outside to smoke do not carry any alcohol with them.
Officials also asked the liquor purveyors maintain proper security people on the premises. Upon patrons' entry, door staff should always require proper identification, Calicchio said. Those under 21 are not allowed to enter unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. When possible, utilize equipment that can scan and image identification cards, he continued.
In all cases, security and service staff need to be trained to respond to emergencies, and Calicchio asked owners to hold emergency and evacuation meetings and to conduct drills.
Sgt. Darlin accentuated that the establishment occupancy numbers are there for safety reasons.
DBA personnel asked that emergency evacuation plans be posted near every exit and doorway and that exits not be blocked in any way. Fire extinguishers should be installed behind the all bars for accessibility, be inspected regularly, and be up to code.
In handling any disagreements, DBA officials asked business owners to train staff to handle the matter in a low-key manner, escalating only when warranted. Combative patrons are best discharged separately to avoid conflicts on the streets. DBA officials also asked business owners to reduce the amount of glass being used by switching to paper and plastic cups, so as to avoid any potential breakage and danger to patrons.
Both the DBA and police asked that licensees to maintain a log to document occurrences of incidents of problems for their own records.
Sgt. Darlin reminded the business owners that they are required to notify police of any illegal act that occurs inside their establishments or within view outside.
He further asked that the owner/manager initiate a call instead of waiting for a patron or community member to call the police. During or after an incident, one person should be appointed to speak with the officers and immediately mention who initiated the 911 call.
Deputy Director Burnett stated that in serving liquor, awareness and proper enforcement responsibilities belong to both staff and owner.
She also mentioned that the police do check by sending in minors with plainclothes officers, and that zero tolerance should be practiced for serving to minors or over-served patrons. All service staff must also be comfortable in cutting off the liquor, she said.
Sgt. Darlin noted that patrons tend to become trouble-makers when they are on their third establishment of the evening.
With many of the establishments located in a residential area, licensees were asked to be considerate of the neighbors.
All speakers agreed that neighbors should not hesitate to register complaints. They also noted music is not permitted in any case at an outdoor patio or sidewalk café. Seating for a sidewalk café also is reserved for dining customers only.
The placement of stanchions on the sidewalk or street signs should not impede pedestrian traffic. For any live entertainment, all licensees are also required to have a Public Place of Amusement License whether or not a cover charge is required.
All vendors are required to have a peddlers’ license, which they can obtain from the DBA. Vendors are not allowed to enter any establishments and must be moving at all times, otherwise another license for a cart or table is required. The scalping of tickets is in all cases illegal and subject to severe fines.
There are 21 parking lots near U.S. Cellular Field. Sgt. Darlin asked that illegal parking not be made an issue for the police. The fine for such a violation is $200.
Hours for business operation are as follows: legal opening time for all liquor establishments is 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Restaurants can begin selling liquor at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Legal closing time for standard liquor license-holders is 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday. Establishments with a "late hour" liquor license are allowed to remain open until 4 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday.
Commander Roy closed by telling the audience that a "license is a privilege" and "to maintain that privilege means following the ordinances as established."
For more information, call the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing at (312) 744-6249 or 311 for the number of your local police station.
