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Uptown Block Party Canceled After Noise Complaints, Police Say

By Nigel Chiwaya | May 29, 2014 1:36pm
Summer Series Block Party
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Vimeo/Roz B.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Party's over.

The popular uptown spot Apt 78 Bar and Lounge was planning a block party this August but police said the party last year was too unruly to be held again.

The second Summer Series party was set to be held on Dongan Place between Broadway and Arden Street, but the 34th Precinct rejected the bar's permits, citing public drinking, noise and wild behavior.

"We are not issuing a permit for that," Deputy Inspector Chris Morello said Wednesday night at a precinct community council meeting. "If that pops up, it's going to be shut down."

Apt 78 owner Jose Morales billed last year's party featuring performances by Audubon and Q-Tip as a booze-free, family-friendly affair with face-painting, a dental hygiene workshop and burgers from Inwood's Mr. Nice Guy food truck.

But police said the party ran later than its stated 7 p.m. end time and an officer was injured while trying to make an arrest.

Dongan Place resident Jim Aronson said he was happy to hear the party was canceled.

"Our whole building was shaking," he said, adding that partygoers spray-painted graffiti on lamp posts and sidewalks. "It was terrible, and this went on all day long. We can never do that again."

Morales, who posted a photo on Instagram in February showing approval for the street closure from the city's Street Activity Permit Office, which is responsible for sanctioning street fairs, declined to comment on Thursday. But he addressed the issue on May 16, posting a photo on Instagram announcing the closure. The photo has since been deleted.

"The city of New York approved us but the precinct didn't," the post read. "Over 3000 people not 1 ticket was issued and not 1 argument at this beautiful event."