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Mar 22, 2006 10:22 pm US/Central
Some Say Race A Factor For Deep Ellum Nightclubs
by Jay Gormley
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
In an ongoing effort to clean up Deep Ellum both the city and the neighborhood association say they need to crack down on the after-hours night clubs.
But the tougher stance is raising cries of racism from some late-night bar owners.
A late-night permit allows a bar to stay open past 2:00 a.m. Critics say these clubs are the cause of Deep Ellum's crime problems.
So, if all the late-night bars are to blame, then why are some being forced to close at 2:00 a.m., while others remain open until 4:00 a.m.
Clubs that keep the party going until 4:00 a.m. are part of Deep Ellum's night life.
Those clubs are now the target of neighbors who want to clean up the area.
The neighborhood association blames crime problems on the late-night clubs. They argue most crimes in Deep Ellum happen between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. and often occur either in, or near the late night bars.
Club owners say the cause can be found in the streets, not in their bars.
"We feel like they're avoiding and not really dealing with the source of the problem. The source of the problem being, cruising and loitering and crime that is taking place in Deep Ellum," said Don Nedler, The Lizard Lounge.
There are seven late-night clubs in the Deep Ellum area. Four cater predominantly to minorities... the other three entertain mostly white patrons.
In the past year the minority clubs, 'Blue', 'Nairobi', 'Palm Beach' and 'Europa', were denied their late-night permits.
The three mostly white clubs, 'Lizard Lounge', 'Club One' and "Severn", had permits renewed.
Augustine Ekukpe owns 'The Palm Beach' reggae club and says race played a factor.
"That is the reason why they denied my late-hour permit. They do not want my minority people here," Ekukpe said.
Off camera, the owner of a mostly white-club told CBS 11 News that he too, believes race is a factor when deciding the fate of late-night clubs.
The Deep Ellum Association says... not true.
"Whether it's a minority owned club or a Caucasian owned club, it has nothing to do with it. Absolutely no bearing. We want to bring people back into Deep Ellum. We want them to have a good experience," said Gianna Madrini, Deep Ellum Association.
The city also denies racism, arguing that the permit appeal board considers many factors, especially crime.
"A police officer or police officers will testify and they will present crime statistics. They will provide for the panel any other evidence that they believe shows there are crime problems there or there are other problems that affect the neighboring community," said Tom Perkins, Dallas City Attorney.
In the case of 'Europa', police provided video surveillance of minors leaving the club, allegedly under the influence.
In other cases officers testified to the number of police calls they receive.
But calls do not necessarily equal crimes. According to the Dallas Police Department in the past year there have been no crimes on the premises of each of the minority clubs.
When police say crimes they're referring to offenses such as assault, theft, exchange of gunfire, rape and murder.
But police are also quick to point out that it's not unusual for patrons to leave the late-night clubs only to commit a crime a few blocks away.
(CBS 11 News)
