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18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?

Fight erupts same night as hearing

By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- Only a few hours after a meeting at which Mayor Domenic Sarno said he would like to bar clubs from hosting 18-plus events to curb violence in the entertainment district, police were called to a fight at 2:20 a.m. Friday at Stearns Square.
They arrested six young men ranging in age from 19 to 20 for disorderly conducts, assault and battery and resisting arrest. Two of the men were also charged with assault and battery on a police officer.
The incident underscored the point Sarno has been making for several weeks following a shooting last month at Club 1800 that wounded two people.
Sarno may soon have the legal means to prevent any nightclub in the city from having 18-plus events. The mayor met with city bar owners and other interested parties at a meeting Thursday evening in City Hall to present the new entertainment license rules and regulations.
When asked after the meeting if he would use the new regulations to eliminate the 18-plus events, Sarno told Reminder Publications, There is now a process that is going to be followed.
In Springfield, the mayor is the issuing authority for all entertainment licenses. Licenses must be obtained for a bar or restaurant to have something as simple as a radio or television to live music, pool tables, video games or exotic dancers.
Until now, the city has not had a definitive set of rules and regulations, according to Attorney Michael Mulcahy of the Law Department. Mulcahy acted as the hearing officer at the meeting Thursday night at which a draft of the rules was introduced to bar and restaurant owners.
Part of those rules is a detailed list of criteria bar owners must meet to be considered for a license for a 18-plus event. The application must be made at least two weeks before the event and describe the type of entertainment; the number of people expected to attend; the age range of the audience; the conditions and set-up of the premises; measures to prevent underage drinking and security measures.
According to the rules, After reviewing the documentation submitted by the licensee, the mayor or his agent may reject the licensee s request to offer the special event if he/she find that the special event, taken alone or in combination with other licensed activities on the premises, would adversely affect the public health, safety or order
In statements made after a brief overview of the new rules by Mulcahy, Sarno said he equates the 18 to 21 nights to raves, which he was opposed to in the 1990s.
I ll be honest with you, he said. I d like to have them [18-plus events] barred.
Sarno said his vision for the entertainment district is a more eclectic mix of restaurants and cultural events that would appeal to a more adult demographic.
Downtown bars have long featured special nights in which young people ages 18 through 20 are admitted into bars, but prohibited from drinking. Some establishments have made these events regular parts of their businesses.
I don t know how you regulate with a bracelet about who is going to have a drink, Sarno said. He maintained that bar owners themselves had identified the 18-plus nights as causing problems in private meetings conducted last year with Sarno.
Initially the audience, primarily composed of bar owners from the city s downtown entertainment district, was silent.
Michael Barrasso, co-owner of the Skyplex and the Hippodrome, the first businessman to speak, noted he has had a 18-plus night every Thursday at the Skyplex since 1998 and there have been no incidents.
He described to Sarno how his club handles security with hired off-duty police officers and how they identify people who are of age to drink.
We take it [security] very seriously, he said.
He also said he hires buses to bring college students from schools in Springfield, Westfield and even Amherst down to his club.
He told Sarno that over-regulation of the entertainment district could hurt the businesses.
Barrasso later told Reminder Publications that his weekly event draws about 1,000 young people, but he declined to speculate on what kind of an impact its absence would have on his business.
Robert Lopez of Memories Lounge maintained that people in the 18-plus age group deserve a place to go. Sarno asked him if he could guarantee that no one under 21 has been served a drink in his establishment.
I can guarantee [that], Lopez replied.
Jimmy Dixon, who identified himself as speaking for the community, told Sarno that young people that age need places to go.
Sarno replied, They shouldn t be at pouring establishments.
Dixon countered that a ban on such events would lead to house parties with older people bringing in alcohol.
Parents need to police their own kids, Sarno replied.
Miguel Soto told Sarno that in a neighborhood such as Indian Orchard, the closing of the branch library is one fewer option for young people.
Sarno disputed Soto s statements and said there are a number of activities for young people.
Sarno said he would like to work with the bar owners as long as [they] follow the regulations.
Barrasso said, Mayor Sarno is a reasonable man. He is not out to hurt businesses.

***
The following is the report on the incident from Police Sgt. John Delaney: At 2:20 a.m. after the Entertainment District was closing down and all the bars let out, police were called for a large disturbance at Sterns Square and Bridge Street. Officers Dean M. Fay and James Kelly quickly arrived and went directly into the melee to stop the combatants. Two subjects had squared off and were throwing closed fist punches at each other.
Both officers got in the middle to stop the fighters and arrest them. Once they got them separated others from the crowd joined the fight and both officers were struck. Both Officers Fay and Kelly were injured in the violent fight. Officer Kelly has a possible broken nose. Other officers in the downtown area were called to stop the situation that was now at a riotous level. Several other fights had broken out and the Springfield Police Officers under the direction of Capt. Eugene Dexheimer and Sgt. Richard Randolph arrested six combatants. The crowd was estimated to be over 100 people.
Arrested were Angel Sanchez, 19, of 4 Baldwin St., Hartford, Conn.; Jorge Ramos, 19, of 237 Victoria Rd., Hartford, Conn.; Luis Vazquez,18, of 42 South Whitney St., Hartford, Conn.; Jorge Maldonado, 19, of 68 Fresno St., Springfield; Anthony Burge, 20, of 22 Brigham St., Springfield; and Brandon Campbell,19, of 60 Cliftwood St., Springfield.
All are charged with Disorderly Conduct, Assault and Battery and Resisting Arrest. Maldonado was also charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer (Officer Fay), and Ramos was also charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer (Officer Kelly).


18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?
18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?
18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?
18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?
18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?
18+ NIGHTS: Are they worth it?