Living in the Twin Cities means that we have access to some pretty amazing entertainment and culture. In Minneapolis, the Warehouse District offers an array of club options at night and attracts many partygoers and music lovers.
A recent Star Tribune report addresses, however, how fun in the area is turning dangerous more and more due to alcohol use, both legal and underage. According to reports, one club in the area in particular is producing more alcohol-related trouble, including violence in the streets that warrants criminal charges.
Authorities are considering taking the club owners to court due to the business’ reputation as a “public nuisance.” They think it should have to close its doors until its operators reevaluate their security measures.
For the sake of the club’s privacy, we will not disclose its name here, but we can tell you that it is in the Warehouse District and plays primarily hip-hop music for its guests. Representatives from the club argue that their employees effectively run the club and protect people’s safety. Because they believe that, they suggest that officials have racist motivations to cause the club trouble.
The Star Tribune reports that related to this club alone, there have been about 160 police calls since the beginning of last year, one of those calls being related to a shooting outside of the club last month. Incidents like that are why the city has put more security cameras and policemen around the now notorious area on the weekends.
They want others, the majority of Minnesotans, to be able to have fun in our incredible city without feeling at risk. It is up for debate whether having fun at the Warehouse District clubs is a worthy option to keep open for people under the legal drinking age. Sources suggest that special “teen nights” at clubs foster environments where underage drinking and other alcohol-related problems thrive.
We will post an update if authorities move forward with trying to close down the specific club. What do you think about the Warehouse District area? Do you feel safe there? Do you have any suggestions about how to keep it safe without punishing law-abiding club goers?
Source
Star Tribune: “Crack down in the Warehouse District,” 9 Jun. 2011
