ComPol Says More Security Needed at Bars

A violent brawl erupted last week at JR’s Bar in Punta Gorda, involving multiple patrons and resulting in chaos. A video of the incident shows furious customers hurling bottles and causing extensive damage to the establishment. In response, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has called for the suspension of the bar’s liquor license. Speaking today, Commissioner Williams stressed the need for bars to bolster security measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

 

Reporter

“ What about a bar brawl in Punta Gorda? Is it the case where every bar is required to have a police on duty or security on duty?”

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“In terms of the bar brawl in Punta Gorda, those persons who are involved have been detained by the police and being charged. We encourage bar owners to ensure that when they are committing, they have security present. We are working with the liquor licensing board to ensure that when. We know when the extensions are issued, the extension clearly stipulates that they must have security. Police officers working there. But in the ordinary course of them opening outside of the extension period, that’s a different story. So we need to see how we can get them to be able to ensure that security is also present when they have when they are open during the ordinary opening hours.”

 

Reporter

“Was the petition to the Legal Licensing Court to rescind this or suspend this bar owners license, was that ever sent?”

 

Chester Williams

“That instruction has been given to the legal office and they’re working with the O.C. in Toledo. to have that done.”