The Daily news goes with an article about crowds, presumably overflow from Level III, causing problems on main street. Is it really a problem? Is so, why isn’t the SPD ramping up patrols?
Comments
Speak Your Mind
News and information about Starkville and Oktibbeha County
MSU Weather
- Mostly sunny & very warm (but comfortable humidity) through the weekend
- Mostly sunny & very warm today; Sunny & warm through the weekend
- Mostly sunny & warm today (and through the weekend)
- Partly cloudy this evening; Mostly sunny Wednesday through the weekend
- Mix sun/clouds for Tuesday with a slight chance for a late day shower; Mostly sunny Wednesday-Sunday
It really is a problem. I’ve not only had complaints about it; but, I’ve seen it for myself while going out. I wouldn’t say the problem is limited just to Level III, I’ve left at closing time when all of the bars let out and the overflow becomes a problem everywhere. I’ve worked with Alderman Cox during the recent budget approval to incorporate the additional funding for a police officer to be present to assist with any problems on weekend nights. I’m not sure why there is still no police presence, but will look into it this week and find out. If in the meantime anyone would like to contact me personally to talk about the issue, they can email me at my city email address at rcorey@cityofstarkville.org
Thank you R. Corey for pointing out that this not just a “Level III” issue. In my opinion, those organizations serving alcohol (e.g. Old Venice, Mugshots, Big Daddy’s and etc.) that are contributing to the problems that is being referred to in the SDN article.
This is a Level III problem – no if’s, and’s or but’s. And SPD and the City of Starkville know it. Overflow was not a problem before Level III opened, and it’s not a problem when they choose not to be open. And the SPD asking the other restaurants and bars on main street to pony up between $250 and $500 per weekend to help them police the problem is lunacy. SPD doesn’t have a problem handing out MIP’s and Public drunks in any of the restaurants and bars that are open 6 or 7 days a week on Main Street, and they don’t have a problem handing out 100 DUIs in the Cotton District every week. So why can’t they police Level II without asking the surrounding businesses to help them out?
Does Level III have a liquor license? Do they have resort status? Do they open for regular business hours, 6-7 days per week? Do they abide by the same rules and regulations that the other 6 or 7 restaurants and bars on Main Street do? No – they absolutely do not. But SPD treats them like they do because they are scared to go up against Level III owner Andre Taylor – feel free to ask them ‘why?’
And make no mistake, Level III knows this, and they are laughing all the way to the bank each time they throw a “private’ party” (which never has an invitation list ironically), while they watch their crowd drive away the crowds from Mugshots, Old Venice, Restaurant Tyler / Barristers, Big Daddy’s and State Theater. Level III ownership and management make no effort to prevent their crowd from impeding the progress of the surrounding businesses, and if there was anyone at SPD or the Sheriff’s office with a spine, then they would crack down on them. But that’s not going to happen during this administration. Maybe if the Downtown Business Association had any real leadership among its ranks, then you might have seen this in the news four months ago when the problem was discussed at City Hall, but they bowed down to Taylor too.
It really is a shame though, because Downtown Starkville has tons of upside potential as far as its nightlife is concerned. As soon as the SPD mans-up and decides its their problem and not Old Venice, Mugshots and Restaurant Tyler’s problem then we might start to see some results. Don’t hold your breath for too long though, because there are no signs that that will ever happen.
I could not have phrased that better. You are absolutely right. I saw a video posted on the internet of a fight in front of Level III –party attendees appeared to gang up on a passerby. This video clearly showed criminal actions ocurring…I have been told tte Starkville Police Chief is aware of it and actually viewed it however did not act upon it.
Reportedly, when confronted about the multiple incidents at Level III, one certain higher up at SPD reportedly replied by saying:
“What are we supposed to do? They have more guns than we do.”
Hence, no action has been taken against Level III, one downtown employee lost his job after getting into a heated arguement with the police chief regarding the chief’s refusal to admit that Level III caused the problem – not gameday crowds, and the surrounding businesses have been asked to shoulder the costs of extra police and security on Main Street when Level III has parties. Municipal elections are coming up – changes will be made.
I don’t think it’s right to blame the SPD for what is going on Downtown. They made it clear, four months ago, that they do not have the funding for overtime. It is my understanding that some of the merchants took the option offered by SPD and hired off-duty police for crowd control on at least one occaision, but it was abundantly clear that it would take more cops than they could afford, for longer hours.. Expensive. If you’re upset about the budget, don’t blame the Chief. This is over him, this is bigger than the SPD. He’s just the face. And as far as paying extra cops- they didn’t ask for our help, WE called the meeting and we asked for theirs- they did all they could do. If you can convince a cop to work for free, go for it. This is very simple.. They budget time for scheduled events and regular maintenance of normal activity. Level III doesn’t have a schedule, and Mr Taylor doesn’t know how many people will show up for any one of his events. And he is right when he says if they aren’t in his building, they aren’t his problem. It isn’t going to get you anywhere to attack him either! He’s just doing business, and that’s not illegal. He has no control over those kids, and without a budget, neither does the City. One cop is not only ineffective against that many, but endangered.
I would like to remind you that the Downtown Business Association is all volunteer. Anyone who shows up for the meetings and takes positive steps to improve downtown is leadership! Everyone with a storefront from Lampkin to 82 is aware of the Association and informed, to the best of our ability, about the meeting times. That being said, the leadership is made up of business owners who SHOW UP. And most of these businesses are closed up tight long before the Level III crowd shows up. We want to help! If you attended the meeting we held BEFORE going to City Hall, you know that we discussed a plan of action and wanted to make no waves with Mr. Taylor. We all understood that pointing fingers or implying a racial threat would only irritate him. We might have had a chance to discuss with him a plan to alert us with he is having an event or help us control the crowds by providing more of his own security. However, others arrived at City Hall and blatantly blamed Taylor and the SPD for the problem. We already knew the CROWDS are the problem, and I’m pretty sure throwing a fit didn’t get anybody on our side. Throwing blame never moves toward a positive solution. As far as the DBA is concerned- We want downtown to be safe. We want it to be clean. We want the revenue to increase- the bars to be profitable and to attract game day visitors and students, their families and friends, people from all over the south. And we know that the crowding in the streets is impeding this progress. But until it is financially and physically possible, the DBA, the city, the police have no power over crowds that size… It isn’t safe.
And by the way, we were all for an article or a news story on this, but getting SDN behind something and actually having it be prompt and accurate seems to be an issue. If there were more involvment in DBA from the bar’s owners and managers, they would have a bigger impact on our decisions and our relationship with the media.
The end of this will only come with new leadership in the City of Starkville. It is so far out of our hands… And emotions aren’t a very sturdy platform for projecting ideas. If you’re mad, put that energy towards doing something about it- Motivate your readers here to raise money to pay the off-duty cops, or get a permit to have a party in the street on the evening of the first home game! Get crazy! If we aren’t going to get out there and do something about it, we shouldn’t even be talking.
Get serious District Dawg! I have personally witnessed uncontrollable crowds at all Old Venice, Mugshots and Doe’s. Guys have left slinging both vulgar lanuage and their arms (even at the security guards.) Girls jumping through car windows (obviously intoxicated.)
As for the comment regarding their status…..this organization operates just as the Shrine Club and the VFW (Veterans) Building, therefore there is no requirement for resort status or regular operating hours. I mean gosh, you act as if these events are occuring every day or every weekend for that matter. It is no different from gamedays or special events (e.g. Bulldawg Bash and etc.) There has to be some level ground.