Aug. 17, 2004. 07:14 AM

Nightclub owners rapped by police
Entertainment district targeted
New unit lays series of charges


TRACY HUFFMAN
CRIME REPORTER

The new Toronto police 52 Division plainclothes unit, created amid the recent police corruption scandal, laid a flurry of charges during a weekend crackdown in the entertainment district.

The team of officers, led by Detective Sergeant Mike Davis, on leave from the homicide squad, laid charges against nine nightclub owners for liquor licence violations, fire code infractions and illegal activity in the busy downtown district that has recently been rocked by allegations of police corruption and shakedowns.

The former 52 Division plainclothes unit was disbanded earlier this year by Chief Julian Fantino after an organized-crime investigation uncovered allegations of corruption and unfair liquor enforcement.

Several officers from the unit face criminal and Police Services Act charges.

During the sweep, plainclothes unit members, inspectors with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and Toronto fire department personnel entered bars and informed owners or managers they were there for an intense inspection.

So far, said police Inspector Don Campbell, nightclub owners have been co-operative with the inspections, which take between 15 and 45 minutes.

"Overcrowding is my biggest fear," Campbell said. "We all know of the horror stories down in the States with these clubs.... If something goes wrong inside those clubs, we want to be sure people can get out. I don't want to have 600 body bags on the road."

Campbell said he has had some calls from owners who want to discuss how they can be proactive.

"The whole idea is to find ways the bars can improve and to make sure everything is up to standard," Campbell said, noting the area — bounded by University Ave., Queen St. W., Spadina Ave. and Front St. W. — is home to about 70 large nightclubs and many smaller ones.

Some of the violations on the weekend included overcrowding, locked and unmarked fire exits, obstructed stairwells, and permitting drunkenness and the use of narcotics.

"This is an ongoing project," Campbell said. "We will be doing this again."

Morale at the troubled 52 Division was low when the plainclothes unit was disbanded, but Campbell said things are rapidly improving since Davis formed the new team.

"A lot of officers wanted to be part of this," he said.

well people on this board have been preaching this for say, since LOL'02. And now we have actual proof that it has been taking place.

for shame.

i have searched every news venue possible, and i could not find an actual list of the bars/clubs being fined. The least they could do is tell us!!!

I hope the Guv can finally be a dance friendly place

When the media and cops start focussing in on the club scene its never a good thing. Proof? How many 20,000 person syrous raves happen in Toronto in 2004 for example?

Look for the city to impose ridiculous rules similar to what they did in 2000 that effectively killed the rave scene.

I hope someone points them in Guv's direction!

They will be looking at "all" clubs according to this article. Including the ones you play at im sure

quote:

Originally posted by itikia Aug. 17, 2004. 07:14 AM Nightclub owners rapped by police Entertainment district targeted New unit lays series of charges TRACY HUFFMAN CRIME REPORTER "Overcrowding is my biggest fear," Campbell said. "We all know of the horror stories down in the States with these clubs.... If something goes wrong inside those clubs, we want to be sure people can get out. I don't want to have 600 body bags on the road." "The whole idea is to find ways the bars can improve and to make sure everything is up to standard," Campbell said, noting the area — bounded by University Ave., Queen St. W., Spadina Ave. and Front St. W. — is home to about 70 large nightclubs and many smaller ones.

quote:

I hope someone points them in Guv's direction!

Yup...

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Not to be harsh but.........

quote:

Originally posted by itikia and the use of narcotics.

It looks like they will be going after Boa and the Zone too.

Folks get a clue, when the general public starts focussing in on the club scene, ITS NEVER A GOOD THING FOR PARTIERS!

quote:

Look for the city to impose ridiculous rules similar to what they did in 2000 that effectively killed the rave scene.

And as a result made partying cleaner and safer. Not to mention we get a lot more headliner DJs than we got back in the day..

quote:

Originally posted by Durafei And as a result made partying cleaner and safer. Not to mention we get a lot more headliner DJs than we got back in the day..

exactly.

And our move away from the more intimate/underground venues to the big club venues, wasnt just in TO people. This is global EDM culture shift. Look at britain, huge super clubs, not little parties. Yes i know they still have them, but the big/in demand DJs dont attend.

Look at the bigger picture people. The scrutiny of the public was the not the only reason that partying became clubbing, there was just more money in it, so it went more main stream.

^^ Yup sounds about right...And I'm all up for cleaner and safer, i don't need drugs to party, nobody does...and if you need drugs to have a good time then youre just foolin' yourself hehe

But think I'm the only clean dude here...

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I am sure the COPS will be @ LOL3. Its the biggest party that weekend. The thing is though, is the $$ amount for having a packed room worth the fine??, DEFINITELY!!!, so I would expect the place to be packed anyway...which sucks!!!

i wanna know the clubs!