Letter to the Editor: Justice Has a Blind Eye in Lakewood
Dear Lakewood Observer:
On Oct.18, 2004 Harry Buffalo located at 18605 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood filed to expand their liquor license. Councilperson Corrigan requested a C.R.I.S report (it’s a report that keeps track of how many times police respond to an address). On Nov.1, 2004 Lakewood City Council passed the motion to grant the license. In the meeting Police Chief Malley stated “that since the new owner had taken over he didn't think there were any complaints and the report was not currently available". In fact this was all untrue. In some investigation into the business I have found terrible information. In an article on August 19, 2004 in the Sun News they named the Harry Buffalo as one of the leading nuisances by residents in Lakewood. On October 29, 2004, just three days before the meeting, the Lakewood Police Dept. did a Liquor License Check on the establishment. In the report Sgt. Favre stated the business was operating on an expired taxation permit and there were numerous entries in the C.R.I.S. information bank. They also stated there was an issue with propriety. It also states no further investigation was done. The new owner Council referred to was Thomas George's son, Robert George; this should have raised a red flag but because Thomas George is a politician no one even raises an eyebrow. On February 11, 2005 just three months after the new liquor license, the Harry Buffalo was cited for under-age drinking. This pattern of operation is still on-going. From 1-2-2005 until 10-05-2005 there were 76 calls to the Lakewood Police Dept. ranging from noise to sexual assault; to my knowledge, none of these were ever investigated. The bar scene in Lakewood has been an on going battle. Residents have to put up with patrons urinating on their lawns, destroying their property, and being awakened in the middle of the night - only for no action to be taken. Normal minds can only come to one conclusion Justice has a Blind Eye in Lakewood.
Toby Kinder
On Oct.18, 2004 Harry Buffalo located at 18605 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood filed to expand their liquor license. Councilperson Corrigan requested a C.R.I.S report (it’s a report that keeps track of how many times police respond to an address). On Nov.1, 2004 Lakewood City Council passed the motion to grant the license. In the meeting Police Chief Malley stated “that since the new owner had taken over he didn't think there were any complaints and the report was not currently available". In fact this was all untrue. In some investigation into the business I have found terrible information. In an article on August 19, 2004 in the Sun News they named the Harry Buffalo as one of the leading nuisances by residents in Lakewood. On October 29, 2004, just three days before the meeting, the Lakewood Police Dept. did a Liquor License Check on the establishment. In the report Sgt. Favre stated the business was operating on an expired taxation permit and there were numerous entries in the C.R.I.S. information bank. They also stated there was an issue with propriety. It also states no further investigation was done. The new owner Council referred to was Thomas George's son, Robert George; this should have raised a red flag but because Thomas George is a politician no one even raises an eyebrow. On February 11, 2005 just three months after the new liquor license, the Harry Buffalo was cited for under-age drinking. This pattern of operation is still on-going. From 1-2-2005 until 10-05-2005 there were 76 calls to the Lakewood Police Dept. ranging from noise to sexual assault; to my knowledge, none of these were ever investigated. The bar scene in Lakewood has been an on going battle. Residents have to put up with patrons urinating on their lawns, destroying their property, and being awakened in the middle of the night - only for no action to be taken. Normal minds can only come to one conclusion Justice has a Blind Eye in Lakewood.
Toby Kinder
Volume 2, Issue 6, Posted 3:03 PM, 03.17.06
