2 more wounded as cops break up fracas outside Kim’s Lounge
The brawl at the Riverside Tavern was not the only one that police had to respond to Saturday morning. Half an hour past midnight, they were out at Kim’s Lounge on Church Street where another fracas was in full swing. This time, according to Williams, the police became targets. While he says the police have an issue with Kim’s Lounge even getting a liquor license, the proprietor of the business says the altercation had nothing at all to do with his place.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Deputy O.C. Eastern Division
“Upon the police responding, they had to detain an individual and it caused a commotion at which time the police were stoned with pint bottles and rocks and a group of persons were aggressing the police. As a result of that, shots were also fired from out of the crowd and the police fired several warning shots in the air and we believe that the shots may have ricocheted and caused injuries to two persons: one who is still in the Karl Heusner Hospital with a head injury and one who was slightly grazed on the buttocks. That matter is being investigated by the C.I.B. and when the investigation is through the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will determine whether or not criminal charges will be filed against anyone.”
“I will be bold enough to say here that this morning the Liquor License Board is meeting and we will be strongly objecting to Kim’s Bar getting any liquor license. The area is not a suitable place for a bar to be. It is right on a street corner, the people who goes to that bar do not stay inside the bar and drink the alcohol. They come on the street, they cause traffic hazard and it is a residential area. People in the neighbourhood cannot rest in peace because of the noise coming from that club so we’ll be posing our objections today to Kim’s Bar getting any liquor license. So, we’re very much concerned about Kim’s Bar.”
Richard Terry
“There was a group of young citizens defiant of the law, showing disrespect for law enforcement officers.”
Marion Ali
“That was inside the bar?”
Richard Terry
“No, outside. Not in here. I don’t tolerate that crap in here.
Marion Ali
“Were they in here drinking before that?”
Richard Terry
“I can’t speak on that because I don’t know who or which individuals had conflict with the police. I saw a group of people out there and all of them weren’t in here.”
“We don’t usually have conflicts nor fights in here and if a conflict or fight occurs outside that’s not my authority to really deal with that social problem. That’s why police exist. I don’t have that power. They regulate the streets.”
Marion Ali
“The police say that they will vehemently object to Kim’s Lounge getting a renewal of their liquor license. What’s your reaction to that?”
Richard Terry
“I function under the law so I have no problem with their opinions because once I’m under the law then if you try to stop me then I will defend my right. I have constitutional rights and I know them. So opinions are opinions. So you must show me that I violate a law for you to bring some kind of penalty against me, but if I haven’t violated a law then your opinion is just opinion.”
Marion Ali
“They’re saying that the neighbours—this is a residential area and neighbours have been filing complaints against the loud music and then people who have a beef with somebody inside end up on the streets and with their noise and the neighbours can’t sleep.”
Richard Terry
“Residential means that it is significantly habituated by residents, there are homes. I only have what, two neighbours and we all get along. I speak to my neighbours. One couple is Japanese and Colombian and I go to their house and I have another neighbour that are nationally Belizeans and I speak to them too and they never complain. I communicate with my neighbours and they enjoy the setting. As a matter of fact, the woman of—one of my neighbours she enjoys the music.”
