One loud, obnoxious neighbor can mean the difference between a good and a bad night’s sleep. But for urban residents, the term “neighbor” can entail a late-night, swinging-door entertainment venue that releases rowdy patrons into moonlit streets.
To restore the early morning calm, the doors of entertainment venues will now close between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. due to an ordinance passed by the Union City Board of Commissioners on March 15. The ordinance was first introduced March 1.
“[We want] to give the community a break from…noise and turmoil.” Charles Everett
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What qualifies as an entertainment venue?
Under the ordinance, an entertainment venue is described as “any dance hall, dance club, social club, [or] catering hall” that offers dancing, music, and performances.
However, for some establishments, the name “dance club” may actually be a façade for an unlicensed establishment selling liquor.
“Sometimes there are establishments that claim to be entertainment venues that open up late at night, and some of the patrons are intoxicated, and it doesn’t make for a good situation,” said Union City spokesman Mark Albiez. Union City Police Chief Charles Everett added that these venues tend to draw larger crowds and more issues than other establishments, like restaurants.
The ordinance cites police findings that, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., there is an increase of criminal activity, which includes fighting and injuries, public urination, drunk and disorderly conduct, drug activity, and noise disturbances.
“[Entertainment venues] have more fights, more people congregating outside, people going outside to smoke cigarettes,” Everett said. “We just feel, in the interest of the community, that those establishments close….along with liquor license establishments…to give the community a break from that noise and turmoil.”
Safety first
Operating in the early morning hours is not only a disturbance, but a danger to the community, according to Everett.
“At that time in the morning, there is less manpower working…than at other hours,” he said, citing the case of Bergenline Avenue nightclub Studio 45, which closed indefinitely after a 3 a.m. homicide last May.
Outside the nightclub that night, a 23-year-old Union City man died after sustaining a dozen stab wounds, and his younger brother was left critically wounded.
In the aftermath of the murder, Union City closed and seized the establishment, which they said had its liquor license revoked years earlier.
“The new law is aimed at ensuring that these types of establishments are not able to open,” Albiez said.
Enforcing the ordinance
To introduce the ordinance to the community, according to Everett, the city will be preparing notices and personally stopping by establishments to inform them of the regulated hours.
“We’re [hoping for] voluntary cooperation,” he said.
If establishments do not voluntarily comply with the ordinance, they may have their dance hall license or any other entertainment license suspended or revoked, and may be subject to a hearing and the penalty provisions of the code of the City of Union City.
The penalty is a ruling by a municipal judge of up to a $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, up to 90 days of community service, or any combination of the punishments.
Liquor license suspensions
In related news:
On March 1, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board imposed suspensions to Valparaiso, 201 34th St., from March 24 to March 30, and to El Rincon Chapin, 2118 Bergenline Ave., from March 28 to April 3.
Valparaiso was found to be in violation of ABC regulations and to be operating after hours.
El Rincon Chapin was also to be found in violation of ABC regulations. In addition to its week-long suspension, the establishment is now required to provide security on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sundays from 6:30 p.m. to closing.
Last week, the ABC Board also imposed a three-day suspension to Adoro Lounge, 414 38th St., that ended Thursday, and a one-day suspension to Pupusa No. 2, 409-11 Bergenline Ave., which will take place from April 12 to April 13.
Deanna Cullen can be reached at dcullen@hudsonreporter.com.