Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo Team Up to Rid Bronx of Violent Nightclubs

HUNTS POINT, NY – Standing in front of the infamous nightclub, Club Eleven, in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo announced legislation passed by both houses in the state legislature that would close the information gap between the New York Police Department and State Liquor Authority when it comes to crimes committed at bars, nightclubs and restaurants with liquor licenses.

In the wake of a prolonged effort by the Hunts Point community to revoke the liquor licenses of crime-plagued nightclubs like Club Eleven, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo successfully sponsored legislation to help shut down licensed institutions with track records of criminal activity. Under their legislation, communities would be able to recommend what types of information the NYPD provide the SLA regarding criminal activity at licensed establishments. This legislation would also establish a systematic process for the NYPD to transfer usable information on criminal activities to the SLA. This would allow the SLA to be systematically informed of all crimes and complaints that could threaten a community’s quality of life or put residents in danger. These crimes could include, assault, prostitution, drug trafficking, unreasonable noise, littering, obstructing a pedestrian, public urination or underage drinking. With this additional information, the SLA would have a more complete profile of the frequency and types of criminal activity occurring at and around venues with liquor licenses.

Alongside community leaders from across the Bronx, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo called on Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law.

Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) said, “Establishments like Club Eleven are cesspools of violence and crime that have no place in our strong, working class communities. That’s why Assemblyman Crespo and community leaders from across the Bronx urge Governor Cuomo to immediately sign this bill into law. This law would encourage better communication between the SLA and the NYPD regarding criminal activity, allowing the SLA to better understand how certain licensed venues are putting the community’s quality of life in jeopardy. By making sure we are all on the same page, I believe we can get in front of the violence and keep our communities safe and our neighborhoods strong.”

"We have the fabric of communities all across our state being torn apart and the safety of New Yorkers threatened by establishments that abuse their privilege to hold a State liquor license. This legislation will help the State Liquor Authority (SLA) access police data on crimes committed at and around licensed businesses. It will also allow for additional community input so that the SLA will be able to make a better determination on granting or renewing liquor licenses,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx), member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Cities. “These changes to the law are part of the ongoing work of Senator Klein and myself to improve public safety and make our neighborhoods a safer place to live and raise our families. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law."

Community Board 2 Chair Dr. Ian Amritt said, "Our community board has done everything possible to protect our neighborhood from the violence and destruction that center around nightclubs like Club Eleven. While we are concerned about violent crimes that happen at venues like Club Eleven, our community is also deeply affected by other issues like noise, reckless driving and littering. This legislation would allow us to give law enforcement and the SLA a fuller picture of how certain local bars and lounges are truly compromising our quality of life. I thank Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo for their leadership on this issue and urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law.”