The bar where two city cops have been accused of moonlighting as bouncers has been shut down by the state Department of Consumer Protection for serving more than 80 underage Sacred Heart University students.
Lora Rae Anderson, a spokesperson for the state agency, told OIB a “disturbing number” of underage drinkers were served at the Golden Star Cafe on Main Street. “A serious conversation needs to take place regarding supervision protocol.” Anderson added that the department will work closely with the city police department to chart out long term action against the bar pending an investigation. State officials will conduct a hearing with the bar’s owner Gregory Kapataneas.
Last week city police raided Golden Star Cafe in a round-up of Sacred Heart University students. To the surprise of the raiding party, two off-duty city cops were working the bar.
Police regulations prohibit cops moonlighting as bouncers. Police officers Andres Talavera and Chris Smith were placed on “administrative leave” with pay by Police Chief AJ Perez pending further review by the Office of Internal Affairs.
Police raided the bar in what appeared to be a party for Sacred Heart college students. Infractions were issued to students for underage drinking. Police said they were also going to cite the owner, Gregory Kapetaneas, for numerous liquor violations.
“It’s a good sign the state is taking this seriously,” said mayoral spokesman Av Harris. “Bridgeport police just last week in a raid on the bar found more than 80 underage drinkers at that establishment. It means that there’s inadequate checking of IDs and turning a blind eye to underage drinkers. The police thought there was a serious violation of state liquor laws.”
Neighborhood bars and hordes of immature college students present a hazardous mix for neighborhoods.
They should be fined very heavily and shut down for the rest of Sacred Heart’s spring semester for this infraction.
Next infraction, they should be put out of business.
Sacred Heart U should also be put to task for this (type of situation). They should be held accountable for the students they admit to their school and dump in Bridgeport neighborhoods.
Bridgeport must enact ordinances to fine and punish SHU and their students for their negative effects on Bridgeport public safety and quality of life.
The fact the double-talking, ineffectual dean of students, Larry Wielk, is still in his role at SHU after so many years is just one of many indications as to why Bridgeport should develop ways to fine and punish SHU and its students for problems it has created in Bridgeport. (Keep in mind this university takes great pains to avoid any association with Bridgeport in its literature and other university communications.)
Jeff made some important points. In addition to the students, the police officers acting as bouncers and the proprietor, SHU should be held accountable as well. Unfortunately, there are no laws holding the school responsible.
Nearly ten years ago, the city council president (Ayala, not McCarthy) endorsed a task force with representatives from Police, Fire, Zoning and Building Code with a council member. I kept track of how each city resource could be used to address the problem of unruly SHU students. The council member was ineffective and made no effort to follow through with suggestions the city departments had or the research I performed. There were changes in zoning enacted relating to the number of unrelated people living in a housing unit. Is there enforcement? Check out the three-bedroom ranch house at the corner of Old Town Road and Frenchtown. It is not unusual to see seven cars parked on the side and front yard overnight. They must be siblings. McCarthy and the council members from the 134th have met with the SHU Dean of Students. They were so proud of themselves when they met with Mr. Wielk and resolved all the issues with SHU students. Hopefully, this council will do more than issue press releases and pose for pictures with the mayor.
Wait, how is SHU responsible for where its students choose to spend their free time? Last I checked we still live in a free society. What’s next, locking down the campus, and no one comes or goes unless you get permission from the authorities? While I do agree the bar owner is chiefly responsible, no way in hell can you suggest he be forced to “shut down for the rest of the semester,” What will be the outcome of all this? The liquor commission will suspend his license for 30 days or so, and impose a heavy fine with a year’s probation or so. And the Sacred heart students? They will find another bar to get into, it’s been going on forever. Not saying I condone it, just saying it’s just about impossible to stop completely. Who here, in their college days, hasn’t drunk while underage? A few maybe, the majority, definitely.
When all is said and done, the problem is with the bars and the students. This remains a constant problem with any college-age population. Fairfield had nightmares by the beach areas. I am still pissed off that Bridgeport Police Officers were involved with this situation.
Harvey. You sound like a guy who owns a bar near Sacred Heart, and maybe a couple of single-family rooming houses on Old Town Road.
Maybe you should move to the neighborhood before you defend the illegal behaviors of immature college students and the irresponsibility of arrogant universities and greedy bar owners.
With freedom comes responsibilities. When you ignore your responsibilities such that my right to peace and safety is infringed upon, you get punished and you lose your freedom. PERIOD.
SHU brought these students here, so they need to shoulder a major share of responsibility for them. Parties owning, staffing, and patronizing the bar broke the law.
The rights of the public to peace and safety trump any considerations of the other parties. This is the view of the law and persons of sound mind.
The city should start solving its $ problems by heavily fining SHU, rooming-house owners, and problem students for any and all problems related to SHU/SHU students in Bridgeport. We should sue the $%^& out of that obnoxious institution for their negative impact on Bridgeport.
*** LET’S JUST SWEEP THIS MINOR DUST UNDER THE REAR DOORMAT, NO? ***