THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160211
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
The time has come to deal with situations arising from nightclubs in this city.
At least twice, the police department has had to deal with near riot conditions on High Street when patrons of David's were turned away because the place was full. On the July 4 holiday weekend, Police Chief Dennis Mook reported to City Council, it took $500 worth of overtime pay to contain the commotion on High Street and, again on Labor Day weekend, the department had to call in extra troops to keep the peace downtown. That was the same night the glass bricks on the front of the club were broken.
In addition, at least on one occasion, patrons of the club double-parked their vehicles on High Street and left them locked, blocking the street as well as legitimately parked cars.
Meanwhile, across town, the problems surrounding Ebony Showcase seem to be compounded by the behavior of patrons in the parking lot around the club on Airline Boulevard. The noise of the music coming from inside the club has become a secondary complaint to the shenanigans outside. Again, the police have their hands full.
Both clubs have the potential for contributing not only taxes but a variety of entertainment to this community. Everybody would like for the owners to be successful; however, their success cannot come at the expense of the entire city.
The city cannot afford to have all its police officers tied up dealing with unruly crowds nor can it afford repetitive overtime pay.
Since both clubs attract mostly black patrons, those associated with them frequently cry racism if somebody criticizes the behavior of the patrons on nearby streets and parking lots.
But race has nothing to do with it. The patrons of either club could just as well be young whites, who probably would react the same way if they were turned away from David's because of an oversold act or if they were drinking heavily and began to play around in the parking lot at Ebony Showcase.
Chances are the business and residential neighbors of both clubs would react the same, whether the inconsiderate perpetrators were black or white. The city frequently has to deal with complaints about country music nightclubs and go-go bars that attract mainly young white males.
The problems will not be solved unless everybody involved gets away from the notion of race and focuses on the legal violations and the incursions into the rights of others to live in a peaceful community.
The club owners may have little control over how their customers act on the streets, but they do need to avoid situations that could cause problems. They must warn their patrons that they will be arrested if they cause trouble in the streets.
Meanwhile, the police department needs to refocus from the noise of the music, although that is a problem with the neighbors, to look at the street activities.
Any patron of any club anywhere in the city who breaks any law should be arrested. The word needs to go out that Portsmouth will not tolerate bad behavior by anybody. by CNB