Liquor license of Warren bar in limbo
Councilman Al Novak shared with 21 News documents that show police called out to the bar at least 110 times in the past two years.
WARREN, Ohio - A bar on Warren's Northeast side will have to fight to keep their liquor license.
Councilman Al Novak said that despite efforts to work with the bar recent events have pushed city leaders to take action.
A few weeks ago, six or seven gun shots were reported outside the Powerhouse Bar. That's what triggered a man to be "dumped off" at the hospital after being struck by the gunfire, according to a police report.
The shooting also triggered Novak and other council members to take action against renewing the bar's liquor license.
"They're located right smack dab in the middle of the entertainment district," said Novak. "They were told you have problems here. We're giving you time, deal with it. On two different occasions, they were called in by the city administration."
Novak shared with 21 News documents that show police called out to the bar at least 110 times in the past two years.
"When it comes to some of these, as you'll see in those calls, there are some things that took time away from the police, they had other calls to take. But other times they were very serious issues," said Novak. "It's gotten back now to the point where it is the worst of the worst."
One issue Novak points to took place last past Saturday. A police report said two women were brought to the police station by a good Samaritan after a fight at the bar, where one of them was hit and kicked in the face and head.
The women then had their car keys and cell phones stolen.
According to the report, the women tried to get back into the closing bar for help but, when they said they were going to call the police the employees of the bar "locked them out and walked away."
Novak said the bar's future is now in the hands of the State Division of Liquor Control who will hold a hearing regarding their liquor license.
21 News tried to reach the owners or a manager at the Powerhouse Bar but, did not hear back.
One person across the street from the bar spoke with 21 News. He said he lives in the neighborhood and feels some of the issues take place in the parking lot of the bar, not necessarily the bar itself, and he felt the owners shouldn't be held responsible for everything that goes on there.
