Good Times Gone Bad

Bar Violence

“I’m glad to hear she’s alright….that’s why you always keep a cell phone and a self defense item on you when you tend bar…no Elly, I don’t want to scold Violetta and I would advise no one else do that either…does Violetta have health insurance?” “RJ, what does that have to do with being attacked, she’s OK, some bruising, most of her clothes were ripped or torn but that’s all” said Elly. “She’s going to need to talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist Elly.”

“Why, she’s got her family around her and the asshole who put his hands on her is going to be screwed in Court, criminal and civil, she doesn’t need a shrink RJ.” Elly’s voice was full of anger at my suggestion, but I pressed my point. “Elly, its not about us, Violetta is going to go through a lot of anxiety as a result of this attack, most people do…Post Traumatic Stress is just not a soldiers problem…it can happen to anyone who has been traumatized.”

Elly agreed with me and said she would pursue it with Arty. After I got off the phone with her I thought about this issue again, violence against bartenders and violence in bars in general. I know its part of all cultures, part of the American experience. It is chronicled in world history from the Old Testament to the Code of Hammarabi, from the fictional works of the Tales of Canterbury to The Choirboys, bars and violence seem to always have a relationship.

What we need to address is the “bar culture” and ask ourselves ‘what in the hell is it turning into.’ In metropolitan areas and their suburbs during the last century the neighborhood bar was a place that ‘everybody knows your name’….it seems that was yesterday. Trends in our nation show that people go to high end bars where they are not known, they drink more, and respond with belligerence and violence. (Reference the American Bar Association).

In other countries in North America (Canada) Law Enforcement has created Task Forces and Research Groups to address the problem. In Calgary a “violent crime suppression team” was created with the purpose of preventing bar violence and attacks. (Reference: CBC News, October 23, 2008) In Southeast Pennsylvania, SERAPH Inc., a bar violence prevention group has created The Entertainment Venue Crime Prevention Program to help local municipalities deal with bar, lounge and entertainment venue violence. (Reference: http://www.seraph.net)

I will share with you some of the recent stories of bar violence. Keep in mind, it could happen anywhere assholes and alcohol come in contact with one another. The first story is from “BUZZNET”: "Dio's 'Holy Diver' Leads to Assault at Karaoke Bar
Have you ever experienced a performer at your local karaoke bar, so terrible, that you wanted to just run up on stage and throw him off? A 24-year-old Wisconsin man recently took that fantasy too far and wound up in jail.

Accoring to The Smoking Gun, Kyle Drinkwine attacked 28-year-old James Mischler at Emma's Bar in River Falls, Wisconsin, during his rendition of Dio's "Holy Diver," of which Drinkwine found to be far from impressive. The action didn't stop there as Drinkwine also assaulted Mischler's 29-year-old friend Cyrus Kozub and was eventually caught by police.

So was Drinkwine drunk at the time or did he really just hate Mischler's singing that much!? .169 is what Drinkwine blew into the Breathalyzer. That's not just being tippy ... That's really really really drunk.

'Though Drinkwine declined to speak with cops following his arrest, an officer overheard him, during a jail phone call, tell a friend he "fu**ed up" and was arrested for fighting,' The Smoking Gun revealed."


Sometimes the problems start over much less, The St. Johns ‘TRADEWINDS’ a Virgin Island Newspaper reported Sunday about several people sentenced on felony charges in relation to a bar fight. “The judge did not make any immediate rulings in regard to 20-year-old Jahlil Ward, the only defendant convicted of the most serious crime of first-degree murder who now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors argued at last month’s trial that Ward fatally stabbed Cockayne eight times just after midnight on June 19, 2007, about a half-hour after the Pennsylvania man got into an altercation with Boston and Thomas inside Cruz Bay’s Front Yard bar.

Largely due to a media campaign waged by Cockayne’s family, who became frustrated with the pace, competence and transparency of the police investigation, the brutal attack generated unfavorable national headlines regarding the safety of tourists visiting the Virgin Islands and a significant amount of negative publicity for St. John.

On October 10, six men and six women convicted Ward of assault and murder. But the jurors were not swayed by prosecutors’ arguments that the multiple attacks on Cockayne that night were all part of an orchestrated series of events, with the three defendants acting in concert and all equally culpable in the murder.

The 21-year-old, inebriated and beat up, could not defend himself, and ultimately bled to death from a wound to his femoral artery.” Reported By Joseph Tsidulko

We all need to consider our environment, one drunken patron (aka – asshole) or a misunderstanding can escalate out of control if a bartender, bar owner or well meaning patrons do the wrong things or the right reasons. Our drinking environment can become life threatening if we don’t deal with the verbal, hate inspired venom brought on by alcohol pollution. It is more than tragedy to get killed having a good time.

We all know and have bar stories of people hurt, ruined or killed in a bar fight. Having been a career law enforcer, I have more stories than most, they all end the same – somebody’s dead or dying and everybody’s a victim in some way. I encourage bar owners and bar tenders out of professional necessity to learn how to diffuse situations before they start. Also know when to 'just call the police' after getting yourself to safety when the “shit hits the fan”.


Recently a former Chicago Police Officer was fired, tried and convicted for beating up a petite female bartender. He was also convicted of attempting to intimidate the same bartender from pressing charges. Shootings have started in bars and bullets fired by drunks don’t know friends, family, foe or you.

If your in an environment that doesn’t feel right, seem right or is just plain toxic, not for girlfriend, boyfriend, fuck buddy or buy back, don’t stay in that place.

In a world where some bar owners will cater to any set of lowlifes to sell beer, you need to know that the place you choose to drink doesn’t attract an element that attracts the attention of law enforcement. Violetta could have been another beautiful girl stuffing a casket, leaving sorrow and grief for her family, friends and lover. Be you a patron or bartender, don’t get killed trying to have a good time.


NOTE FOR THOUGHT

Bar Assault Under Investigation

BY JENNIFER MALONEY | jennifer.maloney@newsday.com
November 17, 2008

Nassau County police are investigating an assault in East Rockaway that left a 26-year-old man in critical condition, police said. According to police, John Hargett, 25, of Maspeth, assaulted an East Rockaway man Saturday at 3 a.m. at the Rocks Bar (On The Rocks) at 33 Main St. The victim was admitted to South Nassau Communities Hospital for a serious head injury, police said. Hargett was charged with first-degree assault and arraigned yesterday in First District Court in Hempstead. Bail was set at $75,000 cash or $200,000 bond. He did not meet bail and remained in Nassau County jail in East Meadow.


Bar Owners, don’t let your little business become a big crime scene.



RJ