Chief Johnson: Violent Crimes at Bars Will Not Be Tolerated

This summer has brought several high-profile incidents of violence at bars and restaurants in eastern Baltimore County. This includes two stabbings at , a brutal assault at , a wild fight scene at .

River Watch is set to go in front of the county liquor board on Monday while Boomer's owners are facing the board on Aug. 22 to answer a variety of complaints filed against their establishment.

Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson has taken a tough stance on such violence and has said in public that he will not tolerate such incidents and will take the steps necessary—from working with owners to seeking to have a business shut down—if behavior does not improve at any given location.

Johnson, an Essex native and 1976 graduate, recently spoke with Patch about this subject and what plan of action the police and other county agencies have developed to reduce crime.

Patch: How concerned are you about the recent string of violence at bars and restaurants in eastern Baltimore County?

Johnson: The Baltimore County Police Department and, frankly, the county administration is very aware of the criminal acts that have taken place at these locations and we’re constantly looking for tactics, police methods, enforcement actions and even administrative actions that can be taken to reduce the incidents at some of these bars and locations in Baltimore County.

I would state that the record reflects that most of these establishments are run quite well. They are very orderly with quality customers and environments. But when we see a location that has several incidents in a short period of time, we have an obligation and responsibility to take a look at it, try to study what’s causing these problems and work with the ownership and progressively take action to ensure that location is safe and that the liquor license location doesn’t affect the quality of life in a surrounding community.

Patch: Can you expand on how crimes at these locations impact the surrounding community?

Johnson: The noise, the amount of people and the disruptions that can be caused by a bar and/or a restaurant could affect the quality of life in the community. Again, I would state that most of our bars and restaurants are great neighbors and welcomed by the community. But, from time to time, we have an incident or incidents that occur with great frequency such as Boomer’s and Club Baltimore.

Patch: How receptive have the owners of places like Club Baltimore and Boomer’s been to working with police to remedy their situations?

Johnson: It’s been my observation through the years that many bar owners have varying levels of sophistication in running such a business. For some, it’s a new venture and for others, they have spent their whole life making a living in the hospitality industry.

To date, Club Baltimore at least has been open and receptive to public safety recommendations and/or demands. We hope that will continue. But certainly time will tell.

Patch: What about Boomer’s situation?

Johnson: I know [the] Earls Road area (where Boomer’s is located) well, as I lived down that way for more than 20 years. We have increased traffic enforcement and a visible presence in that area. Certainly when you have two stabbings in such a short period of time, it raises some red flags. It warranted police action in that area, and I credit Capt. Mike DiPaula and the Essex Precinct for responding quite well.

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and the rest of his administration have worked hard to ensure that these businesses operate in the proper manner and that they work with public safety officials to ensure we do not have acts of violence at these locations.

Patch: Are you also concerned about River Watch in the same manner you are with Club Baltimore and Boomer’s?

Johnson: I believe that the community has concerns about the crowds at River Watch. But I believe River Watch has been responsive in providing transportation service to remote lots to alleviate those crowds that bleed into the community. They also continue to want to work with us.

Patch: Are the efforts to keep these establishments in line a collaborative effort and not just something for the police to handle?

Johnson: Today, public safety is a partnership of police, elected officials, county departments, the fire department and community associations and groups that have a stake in their neighborhood.

Patch: Can you expand on these partnerships and the collaborative efforts it has led to in dealing with these issues?

Johnson: I have to commend Liquor Board Chief Administrator Mike Mohler. He is always thinking outside the box. We’re looking at county codes, state codes and other laws like the “Padlock” law—which can shut down a business for two convictions in a 24-month period for a crime of nuisance.

We’re looking at working with the County Council to look at the law and make recommendations to include crimes of violence in that law to make the law clearer. I think that would be in our best interest when it comes to combating this issue.