It’s a story you'll only see on FOX23 News: after a trend of violent activity at a Troy bar, police are now warning Broadway Brew could be shut down if things don't change.A recent incident at another Broadway bar (called Bootlegger's) led us to this story.
FOX23 News got a hold of some police reports that tell a troubling story.
The reports describe some violent nights outside Broadway Brew and also what police call an attack at Bootlegger's on Saturday.
“The kid that was hit - I was standing two feet away from him,” said Bootlegger's Owner Mike Keller.
He says they never have any trouble, but that changed early Saturday morning.
“The kid just walked in, walked past the bar, grabbed glass, and smashed him in the face with the glass,” Keller said.
Police charged 24-year-old Cohoes resident Jamey Musto and North Greenbush resident Luis Batres Jr. with felony assault.
The victim suffered severe lacerations to his eye and was rushed from Samaritan Hospital to Albany Medical Center.
“There are severe injuries in this case,” explained Troy Police Captain John Cooney.
“I wouldn't want to see this happen to anybody, but this is a really nice kid,” Keller said.
Police tell us Saturday was an isolated incident and they have no other reports of trouble at the bar but, according to police reports, that's not the case just a block away at Broadway Brew.
“Approximately 100 persons were out on the street with 30 people actively fighting,” said Captain Cooney.
A December 18th riot outside Broadway Brew was caught on surveillance cameras.
Police say it started inside, moved into the streets, and five people were arrested.
A month earlier, there was a similar situation.
“A subject was sighted by witnesses holding a blade in his fist and swinging it around, attempting to cut other persons,” Captain Cooney said as he read the police report.
On Thanksgiving Eve, police say they shut down Broadway Brew for code violations.
Officers say they counted about 211 people inside; bar capacity is 121 patrons.
Broadway Brew Owner Kareem Jandali says he didn’t notice there were too many people at his bar that night, and says he is looking to get it rezoned.
Three days after that, police say there was a more violent scene outside.
“A commotion inside the bar was followed by over a hundred people spilling out into the street and fighting,” Captain Cooney said.
Jandali attributes all this to people acting out when they drink.
“Fights happen at all bars," Jandali said when we asked him about the police reports. "We have had a few and the only thing we can do is try to fix it and move on.”
Captain Cooney says bars that uphold strict rules tend to see fewer problems; he uses Bootleggers as an example and hopes other bars follow suit.
Jandali says he is.
“We try not to do hats, no hoodies, no baggie jeans,” Jandali said. “The only thing we can do now is keep bad people out and good people in.”
Police say reports have been filed with the State Liquor Authority, which has the ability to shut down establishments.
Jandali says he is hoping they won’t see any more trouble at his bar, and doesn’t expect any problems with the SLA.
