12 APRIL 26, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
EDITORIAL
HEADING
Stronger liquor laws needed for Queens clubs
The State Liquor Authority (SLA)
has been busy in recent weeks
taking away liquor licenses
from several Queens establishments
for various violations, including criminal
activities.
Just this past week, the SLA took
action to suspend the liquor licenses
of a Maspeth karaoke bar that turned
out to be a den of iniquity featuring
drug sales and prostitution, as well
as a Richmond Hill nightclub that
was recently the site of a dance fl oor
dispute that ended with a double
shooting.
Back in March, the SLA temporarily
suspended another Richmond Hill
club’s liquor license for a history of
violence dating back to last year. The
SLA took this course of action two
weeks aft er three men were shot near
the establishment.
Regardless of trade, every business
in Queens bears a responsibility to
conduct themselves in a lawful manner
and protect their clientele. This
is especially true for restaurants,
bars and nightclubs where people
go to have a great time; every patron
should be able to enjoy an evening
out without the fear of being shot or
stabbed.
Those who own and manage the
nightclubs that lost their liquor
licenses abdicated their responsibilities.
They should be ashamed of the
way they’ve run their businesses —
and, until they can prove themselves
capable of running a responsible, safe
nightclub, must not be permitted to
hold another liquor license.
The existing Alcoholic Beverage
Control (ABC) Law in New York State
outlines various criteria that the SLA
uses when considering approval of
a liquor license application, such as
past histories of criminal activity at
the location and the club’s proximity
to churches and schools.
We believe, however, that the ABC
Law should be revised to more clearly
defi ne mandates for nightclubs serving
hundreds of patrons at a time to
operation — especially with regard
to enacting detailed security plans
prior to opening.
The SLA should also take the
opinions of local community boards
more seriously and give these advisory
bodies additional leverage in
seeking further security measures
from the applicants. Aft er all, they
know the area better than the SLA.
The SLA must be more proactive
in ensuring that large nightclubs
do not become havens of criminal
activity. They don’t have a crystal
ball, of course, to fi gure out what’s
going to happen when — but steps
can and should be taken to ensure
that proprietors with new liquor
licenses create a safe environment
from the start.
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RYAN KELLEY
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THE HOT TOPIC
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Patrizia’s will give Queens another
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SUMMARY:
A widespread New York-based
Italian restaurant and pizzeria is
making its return to Queens with
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REACH:
11,394 people (as of 4/23/18)
COMMENTS:
TASTE THE DIVERSITY
AT ‘WORLD’S FARE’
The theme of the 1964-65 World’s
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This weekend’s “World’s
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the same feeling, but with emphasis
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Queens, as is oft en said, is the
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home to cultures from every
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Our parent company is
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to purchase tickets.
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