Resolving Summary Suspensions from 2024
In calendar year 2024, Commissioner Cafferelli of the Department of Consumer Protection summarily suspended the liquor permits of five (5) liquor establishments, effectively shutting their doors, until their matters were resolved by a hearing or mutual agreement.
All but one of the establishments was the scene of violence within their premises, evidencing a lack of appropriate control and management of the bars or restaurants. The fifth business was a liquor store, allegedly involved in illegal narcotics and gambling by employees in the store.
In order to lift the suspensions, the department conducted a review of the business practices of the various businesses, and came up with strategies that would address the problems and hopefully stem the incidences of violence within these licensed premises.
A review of the agreements show some common strategies that bar and restaurant owners were required to adopt and can serve for a model for all bar owners to replicate as a preventive strategy:
1. Increased cooperation and collaboration with local police relating to fights and disturbances, and the proper response, and use of police officers, where appropriate;
2. Use of properly licensed and bonded private security to enhance internal security;
3. Installation and use of on-premise surveillance capability and the willingness to share with local police and regulatory agencies;
4. Written and advertised policies on dress codes, “last call” protocols;
5. Written policy on the use of promoters and their cooperation with local law enforcement and liquor agents;
6. Strict adherence to the occupancy rates for the premise;
7. Written policy for the use of “wanding” equipment, bag searches, and ensuring that signs are posted for patrons to know of these security measures;
In each of the bars and restaurants, the businesses were closed from 10 days to 30 days, until such time that the agreements were in place, and that follow up was conducted by state liquor agents and local police.