Police and neighbors question management of Veterans Post after weekend fights
Story Created:
Aug 3, 2009 at 4:21 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 4, 2009 at 10:28 AM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - As the investigation continues into a fight among 150-200 people, police question the number of similar incidents that have arisen in the area in the past few months.
No serious injuries were reported, but between 150-200 people spilled onto the streets after leaving a party at the Polish Veterans Post No. 13 and a series of fights followed.
"At one point it was described as one of my officers outnumbered, 30-1," said Utica Deputy Police Chief Mark Williams.
According to Police and neighbors, the Veterans Post rents its space to different parties and multiple incidents involving large crowds have occurred. Nearby property owner, Jim Bushwell, says he's seen four similar instances in the last four months.
"The gentleman that owned it before kept it nice and orderly, nice and cleaned up," Bushwell said. "Since the new regime has been opened up, there have been nothing but one problem after another - inviting groups from outside the area and renting out the club and overbooking the club."
Police say eight arrests were made, most facing harassment, disorderly conduct and harassment charges.
Following the weekend fights, Bushwell began a petition he hopes will garner support against the management at of the Polish Veterans Club.
It will be forwarded to the Utica Common Council and Mayor.
The Polish Veterans Post No. 13 did not wish to comment on this story, and when asked if a party was held there over the weekend, the man who answered the phone promptly hung up.
Bushwell and a nearby resident say most of the crowd was made up of youth.
Common Councilman Bill Phillips blames parents of these juveniles for helping facilitate such problems.
"The first thing that we do is we blame it on the area, we start saying Oneida Square, Cornhill, Noyes Street, its about responsibility," said Phillips (D-5th District)
First District Councilman Frank Vescera, also a Democrat, says it's unfair to say most involved are youth.
"...It's not just juveniles, average age is 35 down," Vescera said.
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