BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said at a recent City Council meeting that the department is working with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board on issues involving the historic 540 Democratic Club.<\/p>\n
City Council President Michael Col\u00f3n asked Kott to explain the department\u2019s protocol for dealing with what he called a \u201cproblematic establishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kott said the police department has limited authority over liquor licenses, which are regulated by the state Liquor Control Board.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are actively working with the LCB in regards to the 540 Club,\u201d Kott said. \u201cThe BPD can\u2019t revoke a business\u2019s liquor license \u2014 that has to come through the liquor control board.\u201d<\/p>\n
She explained that a business can be designated a \u201cnuisance bar\u201d in one of two ways: through the Liquor Control Board or the Northampton County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something we\u2019re actively working on with outside parties,\u201d Kott said. \u201cIt can be very frustrating because we\u2019re working with an agency that\u2019s on its own timeline and has its own fact-finding and procedures in place. Ultimately, their goal is to try and get compliance \u2014 to try and get the establishment to start following the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n
The LCB considers a range of factors when reviewing an establishment, including noise complaints, assaults, shootings and calls from residents.<\/p>\n
The discussion follows a violent incident at the 540 Democratic Club last month. On Sept. 20, police were called to the club at 540 N. New St. for reports of shots fired and a fight in the parking lot.<\/p>\n