Commission OK’s 23 of 24 liquor licenses

Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Hingelburg (L) and Mayor Dwyer listen to bar owners

Mar. 11, 2014  PLYMOUTH EAGLE.

“…the city is sometimes referred to as the West Side Royal Oak Party Town.”

Members of the Liquor License Review Committee heard reports of violent fights, deaths in car crashes, drug possession and general mayhem at several of the 24 establishments with liquor licenses in the City of Plymouth.

The members met Monday night to consider the renewal of liquor license recommendations in the city.

According to Plymouth Police Chief Al Cox, there were 60 arrests for drunk driving in the city last year and 24 of those were classified as “super drunk.”

Cox said this was one of the worst years for these incidents in his tenure with the city.

City Manager Paul Sincock said the city is sometimes referred to as the “West Side  Royal Oak Party Town.” He said this is especially true on days such as St. Patrick’s Day, the day before Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

In a letter to the Liquor License Review Committee, Sincock said, “The question becomes, can available city services and infrastructure handle more liquor serving establishments. Alcohol incidents take a significant amount of administration time and police follow up.”

Citing high costs and the limited ability of the city to respond to and act in a preventive mode, Sincock said, “City Administration does not recommend any more liquor licenses.”

The owners of the Greek Islands Coney Island applied to the commission for approval of a new liquor license. Mayor Dan Dwyer told them that would not happen this year after hearing accounts of fights and violent incidents at several other city establishments.

Dwyer listed problems at the bars and restaurants and Cox narrated security camera videos of some of the violence. Many of the incidents, Cox said, remain under investigation by the Michigan State Police.

336 Main was the scene of a violent fight on the dance floor among patron and some staff members involved who tried to restrain the unruly patrons from returning through the back door. At the end of the video, two Plymouth officers can be seen arriving on the scene. 336 owners told the commissioners that they were now going to have “four door guys” to control the situation.

Dwyer told them, “You’re working with the wrong model. You shouldn’t need four door guys.”

Dwyer recommended the license of 336 Main be renewed with continued “quarterly reviews.”

Cox told the commissioners that two patrons perished in a single-car accident after leaving the Penn Grill. Autopsy reports, he said, showed the victims had high alcohol blood levels and left the establishment after several hours of heavy drinking. He said there are several investigations still ongoing related to the incident.

Cox referred to a patron of the Fiamma Grill who was arrested with 16 grams of cocaine and considerable drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for drug trafficking, Cox said.

The Penn Grill license was also renewed and placed on quarterly review status.

Others incidents discussed occurred at Hermann’s Old Towne Grill, Ironwood Grill, and Liberty Street Brewing.

Tax delinquency at one establishment was reported by Sincock who said that Plymouth Crossing was currently $57,000 in arrears on city taxes.

All 24 licenses were recommended for approval to the members of the city commission who approved all but Plymouth Crossing, based on the unpaid tax obligation.

The recommendations will now go to the State Liquor Commission for consideration.

|News Plymouth Michigan

Plymouth Voice.