News release from Mayor Bill Finch:
A Superior Court judge Wednesday ordered the immediate shutdown of a unlicensed social club on Stratford Avenue that plagued the area with violence and early-morning chaos for years.
“This is about ensuring Bridgeport neighborhoods are safe for kids and families,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “L&A Billiards has been wreaking havoc on our community for too long, causing mayhem for kids and families who are only asking for peace and quiet. It’s been operating through loopholes under state law that aren’t in the best interest of our community. It’s unacceptable. That’s why my administration and our police department have been working hard to shut this operation. I’m grateful that Judge Bellis is seeing through the tricks being used by L&A Billiards, and deciding in favor of what’s best for our community.”
City attorneys requested a hearing this week after the operators of L&A Billiards repeated flouted a May court order placing restrictions and layers of police supervision on the club, which previously would often stay open until 4 a.m.
This morning, Judge Barbara Bellis ruled that the operators had violated that May agreement and ordered an immediate shut-down of any social club at the Stratford Avenue address.
A hearing will be held in two weeks to determine whether the shut-down will be permanent.
“This business has been a nightmare for residents for too long,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “We have been working to shut down the club. Patrons have been stabbed. Patrons have been murdered. And the owners wash their hands of the violence by stating that it happened outside their club.”
Two months ago, Judge Bellis issued a court order to help curtail the bad behavior, and the operators proceeded to ignore that order.
Since May 2013, police have documented more than a dozen incidents at or in the immediate area of L&A Social Club, including a murder, drunk and disorderly conduct, loud music, being over the maximum occupancy, shots fired, drug use and numerous assaultive behaviors. Two months ago, there was a double stabbing outside the club.
Bellis Wednesday ordered the doors of the establishment to be padlocked.
City attorneys had petitioned the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney to file a lawsuit to shut down the club under the state’s nuisance law. That lawsuit led to the restrictions in May that permitted the club to stay open under new guidelines.
“I want to thank Mayor Finch and the Police Department for their support. This was a huge issue in my community and for my neighbors, and we have been fighting this battle for two years,” said Councilwoman Eneida Martinez-Walker. “Even when the judge ordered the restrictions, I had no doubt this would be the outcome. The owners have never followed the rules.
