What happened at the Liquor Board on February 11, 2016.

Commissioner Trotter asked whether the building was zoned properly; Executive Secretary Michelle Bailey-Hedgepeth replied that it was. Commissioner Hafey asked whether the licensees will be alcohol management certified. Ms. Ephrem, who lives in Boston, is certified, but the other licensee will not be spending time on site and will not be certified. Their general manager, who was not present, was certified and trained. Hafey asked whether there was any information from any community association. Schrecengost replied that there is no community association in that area, downtown, but she has received support from the Downtown Partnership and the Waterfront Partnership.

Violation of Rule 3.12: Public Welfare – November 21, 2015– At approximately 12:10 am Baltimore City Police and Inspector Chrissomallis responded to the establishment for a physical altercation. Upon arrival, police determined that the establishment staff was attempting to exit a patron, Mr. Ridley, when he threw a bottle at the head of a dancer. The bottle struck the dancer who had to be taken to the hospital. Inspector Chrissomallis personally observed the establishment in a state of chaos: dancers were being aggressive almost starting fights between each other and dancers were being aggressive toward police officers openly cursing and attempting to instigate physical altercations.

Violation of Rule 3.03(c): Records – November 21, 2015– At approximately 12:10 am Baltimore City Police and Inspector Chrissomallis responded to the establishment for a physical altercation. During the investigation, Inspector Chrissomallis requested employee records for the dance staff and security staff. As per Inspector Chrissomallis, the establishment lacked records for a security guard and the dancer that was injured by the bottle.

Violation of Rule 3.12: Public Welfare – November 26, 2015– At approximately 10:17 pm Baltimore City Police responded to the establishment for an assault call for service. Upon arrival, police observed an individual lying in a pool a blood. Investigation revealed that the an employee of the establishment, a Mr. Javier Reyes, had an argument with the victim over payment. During the argument Mr. Reyes stabbed the victim while in the establishment with a knife. Mr. Reyes then discarded the knife on the scene and left the establishment. The victim was taken to the hospital. Police conducted a search for Mr. Reyes and found him close to the establishment. A search of Mr. Reyes’ person revealed illegal narcotics and illegal paraphernalia. Mr. Reyes was arrested and subsequently charged with 1st Degree Assault.

When asked by Kodenski whether the employees were cooperative during the investigation, Mui testified that they were, in general, but they only helped police find the knife after the security camera footage showed that the knife was placed in a trash can.

Commissioner Trotter asked whether any drugs were found on the club premises. Mui responded that they did not find drugs in the club, but Reyes had drugs in his car when he was arrested.

Officer Michael Rocks testified that he had found and arrested Mr. Reyes in his car nearby. The police had knocked on Reyes’ car window, and he was unconscious. When he became conscious, they extracted him from the car and recovered narcotics from his person and from his car. Rocks said that Reyes seemed to be under the influence of narcotics.

Mr. Kodenski, for the licensee, made a motion to combine the charges into one violation. Chairman Neil denied the motion.

In mitigation, Kodenski argued that the licensee has been at the location for 10 years, and nothing has happened since 2010, which is unusual for an Adult Entertainment venue. In this instance, they opened on Thanksgiving, which they don’t normally do. They usually have more security than anywhere else on The Block, and it’s not normally the kind of place where this happens.

The commissioners asked who Mr. Palmer is. Steven Kougl testified that Mr. Palmer is “the cleanup guy” who cleans up the bar at the end of the night. Commissioner Trotter quipped, “and knives, too.” The licensee testified that they did not do a background check on either Palmer or Reyes.

The licensee at the Green Turtle testified that carrying around open containers on weekend nights is common practice in Fells Point, because there’s no significant police presence until closing time. He said that the young person deceived the door security guard, which he sees all the time. After questioning by Commissioner Trotter, the licensee says that he does not call the police when he sees people with open containers.

Prevas argued that someone walking out onto the public street with an open container is a violation of the law; however, he said that the licensee did not allow the commission of the violation of law, and the open container violation was on the sidewalk, not on the licensed premises. Commissioner Hafey disagreed, saying that, especially with a young crowd, licensees have to be on the lookout to prevent people from sneaking out open containers. To Prevas’s first argument, Inspector Fosler noted that he could easily see the young man leave with the container, even from across the street.