Boro Cabinet Discusses Nightlife Problems
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

During a six-month period between February and July 2006, two young women were abducted, raped and murdered after a night out clubbing in Manhattan.

"The perception was nightlife was out of control," said Susan Petito, NYPD Assistant Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs at the May meeting of the Borough Cabinet in Kew Gardens.

In November 2006, Sean Bell was shot and killed by undercover police on a nightlife enforcement initiative in Jamaica.

In February 2007, a summit meeting took place between police and representatives of the nightlife industry in New York City at NYPD headquarters.

Petito described the February '07 meeting as tense and confrontational. "But the nightlife industry in New York City is not going away," she said. The industry generates between $9 and $10 billion annually and an estimated 65 million people visit New York's bars and clubs each year.

The result of that summit meeting is a booklet, "Best Practices for Nightlife Establishments", published on Oct. 18, 2007. It is intended for use throughout the city and is available online at www.nyc.gov/nypd.

Principally, "Best Practices" seeks to improve nightlife safety and security operations, provide clear guidelines for employees of an establishment in the event of a serious incident or emergency, deter underage drinking through the implementation of ID scanning devices and clarify establishment guidelines for patrons and enhance police/community relations through increased communication.

"This is not a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card," Petitio said. Rather, it is a collection of practical tips and key points police and the nightlife industry have agreed upon and compliance is voluntary.

District Managers of Queens community boards are now asking for a similar meeting in the borough.

"Can we have a 'Best Practices' meeting here in Queens?" asked Frank Gulluscio, district manager for Community Board 6.

"We've been having problems (with clubs) for years," said Borough President Helen Marshall.

Giovanna Reid, district manager for Community Board 3, said almost all of the nightlife complaints she receives involve illegal clubs. "They don't have the proper licenses," she said.

Deputy Borough President Karen Koslowitz said she receives many complaints from residents living on upper floors over clubs. "The police always concentrate in Manhattan, I would like to see more emphasis in the boroughs," she said.

"I think now we've got a couple more tools," said Petitio. Throughout the city, the NYPD now designates one inspector in charge of nightlife in every patrol borough command, she said. That includes responsibility for general policies, enforcement strategies and quarterly meetings with police and nightlife establishments.

Mary Ann Carey, district manager of Community Board 9, said additional police officers assigned to nightlife enforcement were needed. "With the limited number of police officers we have, I don't see how this program ['Best Practices'] can be effective," she said.

"Enforcement has not changed," said Petitio. "What has changed is a better level of training and cooperation with the nightlife industry."

"How about topless bars and gentlemen's clubs?," asked Marshall.

"It's a related problem," said Petito.