A group of neighbors in Toledo's Vistula Historic District are seeking to vote their precinct "dry" - a move aimed at two carryouts they say are magnets for crime and problems.
"We're tired of this," said Lonnie Homan, leader of the area Block Watch, gesturing to one of the carryouts in question.
Mr. Homan lives on North Superior Street, just around the corner from The Beer Dock, 932 North Huron St. He said he believes The Beer Dock is responsible for loud noise, people loitering outside the store, and general disorderliness.
A resident of the area for 30 years, Mr. Homan said carryouts hurt his near-downtown neighborhood.
Representatives of The Beer Dock could not be reached for comment yesterday.
But the manager of one of the other stores threatened by the vote said he believes his business is being made into a scapegoat for neighborhood problems.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS16/810060304
Where does the owner thinks his customers come from? Does he think they drive from all over the region because of the "quality" of his booze? If his business isn't selling booze to them (local customers) they have to go elsewhere (maybe driving). So maybe he provides a public service in the fact that they can walk rather than have to drive to get drunk. I feel sorry for the people on whose lawns they piss, but that is the human nature of low-class drunkenness. Maybe the police would be smart to park a squad car in front of his establishment. They could write a lot tickets and make a lot of arrests without much effort. I am sure the owner would appreciate the protection (even if it cut into his "business").
Fueled by the success of taking away a persons right to his/her own property to be used for Jeep, and then fueled by the success of taking away a persons right to use a legal product, NOW the do-gooders are going after alcohol. Another legal product.
Once the nanny-stateers have taken away everyones right to alcohol, what's next? Trans-fats? Sugar? Coffee? French fries? Anything that is not on the officially approved Big Brother list of acceptable items?
After all, everyone knows that people are too stupid to make free choices.
If the owner of the Beer Dock were smart, he'd hire off-duty police to watch that lot. It's full of drug deals, pimps and whores, and selling of ripped-off merchandise. It's like a mini-crime wave on one corner. If you drive down the street during the day, it seems everybody in the neighborhood is sitting on the stoops drinking beer or smoking weed. It's bad news and brings the whole area down. I don't think many in the immediate area could have legitimate jobs, judging by the number of people standing around during working hours.
wouldn't it be safe to assume the Toledo police know as well? Why aren't the police taking care of the problem then?
If you drive down the street during the day, it seems everybody in the neighborhood is sitting on the stoops drinking beer or smoking weed.
Then who's doing the bitching??
It's bad news and brings the whole area down.
the carryout, or the bums on the stoops??
don't think many in the immediate area could have legitimate jobs, judging by the number of people standing around during working hours.
So you're putting this all on the shoulders of owner of the carryout??? If he shut down his doors and moved away, would the stoners on the stoops move?? Would they get jobs?
What if he DID go dry and just sold pop and candy - would it still not be 'da hood'???
The owner is not responsible for the neighborhood, but he is responsible for what happens on his property. I am only pointing out that he would be wise to control his own property if he doesn't want the city to shut him down. It's a bad part of town and he should take extra measures to secure his property.
...support your desire for a "decent" neighborhood. If your neighborhood is filled with people whose desire is only for smokes, alcohol and drugs then that's what will run your "local" economy. Even if housing is cheaper in such a neighborhood you can't control the environment. Police won't come around, business owners won't chase away the loiterers, and you'll have to deal with them pissing on the lawn in front of your kids. So get your ass of the neighborhood, and let the "fre-e-e market" prevail.