Senior Cpl. Kevin Janse, a spokesman for the Dallas Police Department, told me Tuesday morning that DPD issued seven citations on Friday night during an enforcement operation at the Dallas Eagle. Janse said the arrests were made at-large, meaning no one was taken into custody. Six of the citations went to bartenders for sale of beer without a license, a class-B misdemeanor, Janse said. The other citation went to the owners of the Eagle for allowing dancing without a dance hall permit, a class-c misdemeanor. Janse said it’s also possible that patrol officers made one arrest for public intoxication, but he was unable to provide further details. Patrol officers were called to assist the vice unit, which conducted the initial investigation, Janse said. These criminal charges are in addition to an administrative fine Eagle owners will face from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for selling alcohol away from their licensed premises.
Some have taken issue with the manner in which this operation was conducted. Rather than simply contacting the bar owners and explaining that they could not sell alcohol at the new location, DPD and TABC chose to conduct a large-scale enforcement operation. But I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this, given that it seems to be a common practice. So, I can understand the charges against the owners for allowing dancing without a dance-hall license and selling alcohol away from the licensed premises. However, I’m having a real hard time with the decision to file criminal charges against bartenders for a licensing issue they likely weren’t even aware of, and I plan to ask both TABC and DPD to explain this. If they can’t provide a valid explanation, these charges should be dropped.
12 Comments
Sloppy management.
They need to defend the innocent bartenders.
Case closed.
I was there Friday night. I was one of the last to leave. Before I left, I looked into the eyes of the owner and each one of the long-time staff. I knew then, this was not about me – or any of us. It’s about financial loss, trusting unworthy persons, being too anxious, and being a part of the cut-throat business climate in today’s America.
I plan to give money to the owner and to each of the staff with whom I am well acquainted to help defray the costs of this unfortunate event. I’ve been a CEO. I know that, even when you do all that you know to do and can do, mistakes still happen.
Some will disagree with me, but I’ll never know it. I will not read criticisms that are not constructive and compassionate.
Ok, so much for the Dance Hall License. If they put in an application for one now, it will be denied. That is standard procedure for DPD and is City of Dallas ordinance. As to the bartenders being fined, I guess they were TABC certified, because if the bartenders are certified, it places liability on them and not the owners. Bye Bye, New Dallas Eagle. Better stay in your old location and get a Dance Hall License for that location, yes you need one, you have to have one for any live entertainment, and you do have live entertainment, that is how you raised money for charity, leather contest, etc. Better not do any of those till you get your license ot the person/s that are out to get you will have you busted at the old location too.
A solution for the Dallas Eagle moving to the new location and obtaining a Dance Hall License would be to change the name. You would have to change the name on the liquor license also, but that is no big deal. You guys need some good advise.
I am glad to read that both sides begin to see that there were possible errors. This is a great move forward. Hopefully both sides will learn from errors and possible investigation and honing of future incidents.
This could prove to be a good outcome, and much of it because a light was brought onto it. While the original fears might not have been true, the reality of possible problems did bring good light and discussion.
I hope the cases aren’t closed. I have been watching the Judge Sotomeyer testimony and her wisdom would be great here. That there are many arguments and claims that have to be worked through each and every time a new situation arises. This is what we need to consider in this situation, there are many thoughts and ideas and there is a great deal to be learned on all sides.
You have to have a permit to dance in public? An a private building with no windows is public? This is insane.
This is straight out of the 1600’s when the Puritans banned dancing and raided pubs to make sure no one was dancing.
Texas laws seem to be stuck in the 1600’s…
Next thing they will be whipping people in the courthouse square… wait… some of the Eagle people might like that…
Yes Mark G., you have to have a license, not only for dancing, but for any type of live entertainment. One of Dallas’ great city ordinances. Good luck getting it off the books. It’s a money maker for Dallas, both for the outrageous fees they charge to get one and for the fines they rake in for not having one..
Carl,
I have been reading your comments on this story since it first broke and I’m curious if you are trying to speak directly to the owners of the Eagle? You seem to have a lot of suggestions and advice for them and I’m curious as to why you are offering this advice through a comments section of the Dallas Voice? I happen to know one of the owners very well, for over 15 years now. Would you like me to see if I can arrange a meeting for you?
Most bartenders have TABC licenses. Most bars require it.
Chip, was under the impression they were reading these post or being told about them so I was hoping they would see some of the post, since I did not have a phone for them other than at the bar and the voice mail was full so I could not leave a message. I called this afternoon and finally someone answered and I explained who I was and why I was calling and he did not want to take a message and just suggested I call back tommorrow. I’m not going to post my email address here or my phone number which is why I said they could contact me through Tammye if they wanted. She has permission to give them my email address. I also am on facebook so they could contact me there if they wanted. I am a Dallas Voice friend on Facebook so should be easy to find. I have a lot of experience in dealing with these matters and would be glad to offer my help for free, just because I have been on the end of the stick they are now with people trying to put you out of business and it just plain and simply is not right, but that is the way business is these days. There is going to be some difficulty, but nothing that I don’t think can be overcome. Problem is it takes cash, money, to do what needs and they need to be prepared to pay the fees and such. It is quite obvious that someone is trying to make trouble for them so they need to stay one step ahead of them.
I find this whole thing quite unreal. This is Dallas, where they will wage all out war on dancing but won’t chase real criminals. This city sure does have it’s priorities screw up.
What is really going on with the Eagle ?!?
The new building sat vacant for years (probably very expensive) and according to rumors it was because of licensing.
And now they open without the licenses in place?