CLINTON HILL — The State Liquor Authority has refused to renew the liquor license of a Washington Avenue bar known as a nexus for crime and mayhem.
Club Touché, the subject of frequent community complaints, will see its license gone before the end of the summer, a police official said.
"Club Touché's liquor license expires on Aug. 31 and as it stands, it will not be renewed and they will get a fine," said Capt. Scott Henderson of the 88th Precinct. "This was the result of a cooperative effort between the community and the precinct."
Since September of last year, locals had inundated Community Board 2, the 88th Precinct, the SLA, and Council Member Letitia James' office with complaints of stabbings, gunshots, broken bottles, obscene fliers, domestic violence and public urination.
Henderson said that police were able to establish a good case before the SLA that there was a connection between the club and crime.
Complaints against the club by nearby neighbors began when local Renae Holland says she witnessed a shooting. Though no one was hurt, she feared for the future of the block.
"The next time shots are fired they may hit someone," said Danelle Davis, manager of The Chocolate Factory, where Holland lives. "We cannot wait around for that to happen — we have families living here."
Henderson said he was also aware of the problem, writing in an email to residents that the club "represents a great deal of sparse resources that I have devoted to ONE location in a precinct covering 1.4 square miles."
Residents said they were pleased with the results and thankful for the efforts of the 88th Precinct.
"We have been through hell and high water over the last year." Davis said at a recent meeting. "I really want to thank the 88th Precinct for helping us."
Club Touché owners could not immediately be reached for comment.
