AUBURN GRESHAM — Closing time at Lemelle's Luxury Lounge in Auburn Gresham often leads late-night parties spilling over into the surrounding neighborhood, according to those living nearby.
Neighbors have complained for nearly two years that patrons of the lounge at 1801 W. 87th St. leave with plastic cups filled with alcohol, play loud music and smoke marijuana, said Officer Kurrin Beamon of the Chicago Police Department's Morgan Park District.
Others have witnessed people having sex in cars parked outside the lounge and found used condoms scattered about in the wake of wild parties, said Beamon, the CAPS officer assigned to the area.
She and others who attend the monthly CAPS meetings will discuss the things they've seen with Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 in his 21st Ward office at 9011 S. Ashland Ave.
The owners of Lemelle's Luxury Lounge did not respond to a request for comment. An employee on Thursday said she was unaware of such complaints.
Beamon was quick to point out the business itself is not the problem. Rather she pointed the finger at problem patrons for the disturbances, and she hopes the issues will be resolved after the meeting.
If not, she said follow-up efforts might include inviting owners of the lounge to a CAPS meeting. If that doesn't work, she said neighbors are prepared to proceed in whatever ways possible to quell the problems.
Beamon said leading such an effort is new to her, as is her position as a CAPS officer. Still, she believes neighbors have valid complaints, and she hopes the lounge steps up to remedy the situation.
"Let's remember 'The Cocktail Lounge' has the opportunity to be a viable business in the community if given the opportunity," Beamon said in an email to those who regularly attend the CAPS meeting in Beat 2221.
"If they choose not to, we will determine the next plan of action," she said.
