Melissa Bailey File Photo
The law’s inspiration: Larry Livingston of the Taurus Cafe.
Thanks to a last-minute vote in Hartford, New Haven is set to serve as the testing ground for a new law to make it harder for problem bars to re-up their liquor licenses.
Before adjourning last Wednesday night, the state House of Representatives voted to approve a bill that will require the state liquor commission to hear testimony from the New Haven police chief when considering liquor permit requests or renewals from New Haven bars.
The governor is expected to sign the law, which will go into effect Jan. 1. It will apply to New Haven and be in place for only two years as a “pilot program.”
That’s how it was described by New Haven State Rep. Roland Lemar, who put the bill up for vote Wednesday at 11:52 p.m. It passed 117 to 30.
New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney introduced the bill in his chamber.
“I think it was a bad decision,” said Larry Livingston on Thursday. He manages the Taurus club on Winchester Avenue, a bar that has drawn the wrath of city officials due to a history of crime outside the club. After the state prevented Livingston from renewing his liquor license, a friend applied to reopen the cafe under his management.
The new bill is designed to help prevent that kind of work-around.
Under the new law, bars applying for liquor permits will be required to notify the police chief, who will then have 15 days to give the liquor commission testimony about history of police calls and incidents at the location.
“We’re going to ensure that we’re evaluating all of these liquor permits from a public safety standpoint,” Lemar said. “A lot of times our police know these are problem bars, but there’s no way for us to weigh in.”
Livingston said the law gives local city officials too much power. “I don’t think one person should have all that power,” he said. “In my case, the mayor don’t like me. He would do anything to shut me down.”
Livingston said the process should remain as it has been, without interference by the city, which may not be impartial. “The state handled it before. The state should handle it now.”
“It doesn’t surprise me that Larry Livingston has a problem with us trying to address problem bars,” Lemar said. He said the permitting process is still carried out by a neutral third party; that third party will just have better facts to work with. “All we’re saying is they must consider the advice from out law enforcement,” Lemar said.
“I think it only makes sense in a jurisdiction to have the local law enforcement officers provide comment,” Mayor John DeStefano said. Police have a “better perspective on what happens on the ground.”
DeStefano dismissed Livingston’s criticisms, pointing out that the law requires the commission to consider statements from the police chief, not the mayor.
“We’re not seeking to limit the number of licenses or anything like that,” DeStefano said.
“He lost his license, didn’t he?” DeStefano said of Livingston. And didn’t he then apply for a license to open Taurus up again under a new name? “I think that’d be useful information for liquor control to be aware of.”