The Pearl DARTed by COJ / JSO

[jbm32206]

that would be horrific!

[Ricky]

i understand i saw the report too i can see why you would believe it  however they are deliberately misrepresenting facts the building occupancy is indeed around 150 but the back patio occupancy is around 180
the fire marshal gave a warning for being 50 over occupancy no fines no warning for not enough exits

[sean]

Anyone who thinks "there is no drug activity what so ever and only minor code violations" at the pearl is looking through rose colored glass. I think this whole dart situation is rather heavy and ham fisted way of making sure all of the codes and permits are up to date. But you must realize though that the code and permit violations are a bit more serious than just a few stray extension cords and christmas lights.

Should this have been handled during the day without a swat team and with a rapport with the owner? Yes

Is this an anti-gay issue? I seriously doubt it considering all of the other clubs that have been darted. It just seems that it was simply the pearls turn in line.

You gotta play the game by the rules kids or those big meanie fascists will kick you out of the sandbox...

[yeah]

What you guys seem to forget is while there is three exits in the building, two of them lead out to the patio and only one double doors lead to the front. She needed exits on the patio too.

[jbm32206]

If there's sufficient exits, then couldn't she protest/fight this? Would there be a hearing or something? If the owner feels she's been unjustly closed down, is there no recourse she can take?

[uptowngirl]

sure she can.

It just takes time.  Same amount of time as the repair and then re approval process, with no guarantee that you won't have to do it anyways.

The real damage that these things are intended to inflict is the loss of income.

The repairs themselves are negligible costs in comparison.

Well why is this happening? Or more importantly how do you stop it if it truly is undeserved amd unfair?

[RiversideGator]

And "The Lighthouse" seems to be shining farther into Springfield every day....

Any proof that FBC was behind this or is this just a conspiracy theory among those who already hate FBC?

A wise man once said, "those that forget the past are condemened to repeat it."  Has everyone forgotten the various problems that The Art Bar (and the short-lived Heaven) had with nearby businesses and churches?  I bet FBC remembers even if you don't.

Are you referring to the Art Bar on King Street in Riverside?  If so, this had nothing to do with FBC which is downtown a few miles away.  It was mainly a problem that the First Guaranty people across the street did not care for Art Bar.  I believe one of the employees there then bought the building and evicted Art Bar.  FBC had nothing to do with this.

[RiversideGator]

So when the drug trade, the shootings and the rapes start again, who will stand up for code enforecement then?

These are separate issues which also need to be addressed.

[CMG22]

Btw.  Does anyone have a clue what would happen to 10 thousand people on a sunday morning if there were a flash fire at First Baptist?

What you fail to realize is that God would never let something so tragic happen to His people.   ...silly! 

In all seriousness though, I was there on Thursday.  There were a good number of police officers.  I saw them inside well before the lights even came on.  I saw ONE person having his ID checked and I lingered inside until I absolutely had to leave.

If they were looking for drugs, I don't know how they would have found any.  It's not like people would be doing them in the open or carry them in their hands, nonetheless when the police arrived.  Hell, there are always police immediately outside.  In fact, I saw one person was arrested earlier in the night for fighting in line on the way into the bar--a friend of a friend, actually.

As I was leaving, there was an older guy in plain clothes and a badge counting people.  I said, "don't lose count," to which he replied, "f*** you, man."  I subsequently shouted some lovely phrases in a slightly buzzed state (I wasn't driving).

To give more anecdotal evidence (and hopefully this will not call into question my credibility), I was kicked out of the Pearl about two years ago for underage drinking, and had a beer in my hand from a friend for less than a minute.  I also know many people and have seen many more people get kicked out for underage drinking.

As for the violations that were found, and the concerns over fire, there are indeed three exits, and the patio would allow easy egression.  Although important, I believe the argument is moot in this case.

The real bottom line is that this was TOTAL OVERKILL!  The only thing that needed to be done at night was the occupancy violation.  The bar does not need to be CLOSED!  This is just another example of the powers that be, whomever they are, harassing progressive or (in their mind) morally objectionable places.

And although I have no proof other than the stories I've heard from friends who work in City Hall regarding other things, I have a feeling that The Lighthouse has once again exercised its influence.

[alta]

When is the city council hearing regarding the parking tickets on nights/weekends?

[BridgeTroll]

While this was clearly overkill might I suggest eliminating minors from establishments where alcohol is served at all.  Seems to me you are just asking for this sort of scrutiny.  No matter how stricly you check IDs or secure wristbands the kids will always find a way to get a drink while inside... they always have and always will (I know this since I was kid I can attest to their engenuity and overall sneakiness)

[walter]

While this was clearly overkill might I suggest eliminating minors from establishments where alcohol is served at all.  Seems to me you are just asking for this sort of scrutiny.  No matter how stricly you check IDs or secure wristbands the kids will always find a way to get a drink while inside... they always have and always will (I know this since I was kid I can attest to their engenuity and overall sneakiness)

Brilliant!  so I guess I wouldn't be able to bring my kids with me when I go out to dinner?  Gee talk about overkill!  A few minors get served and now its punish everyone who enjoys a drink and have children, wow.  You know some of us actually enjoy getting a burrito and a few beers and sitting outside at the burrito gallery with our chirrens.

[BridgeTroll]

Calm down... I should have been more specific.  It is altogether different if you accompany your children in a resaraunt.  I am not refering to places like Burrito or restaraunts.  I am refering to places that employ wristbands or other devices in an attempt to keep unaccomanied minors from drinking.  I am also NOT saying the practice should be banned... just that you are opening yourself up for trouble...

[David]

Calm down... I should have been more specific.  It is altogether different if you accompany your children in a resaraunt.  I am not refering to places like Burrito or restaraunts.  I am refering to places that employ wristbands or other devices in an attempt to keep unaccomanied minors from drinking.  I am also NOT saying the practice should be banned... just that you are opening yourself up for trouble...

I object!

Actually no I don’t. I've always been in favor of that method. Especially as age 21 gets further and further away in my rearview mirror

The counter-point is I was only 20 or so when the pearl’s predecessor,  artbar first opened up, so it did provide one of the few places for the under 21 crowd to go. 

counter counter point is: I’d always find a way to get a drink in my hands. Thankfully I was only underage for a few months before I got the privilege of legally over-paying for drinks.

Either way, this really wasn’t the issue at Pearl. Several of my family members work for various police departments in the region and I’ve been really digging as much info up in the DART programs as I can find. Every time they describe a “raid” it usually doesn’t involve a popular night spot and citing them for relatively minor violations. Granted, they do not work in Duval country but I’m just trying to gage what it’s used for elsewhere.

It's definitely being misused here though.

[BridgeTroll]

I’d always find a way to get a drink in my hands.

Exactly... me too!