Police issue 111 citations in Mad Hatters bar raid
Joe Astrouski / City Editor
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News
Charleston Police performed an alcohol code compliance check at Mad Hatters, 1419 Fourth St., early Sunday morning, according to a Monday press release.
Police cited 68 people for various alcohol-related offenses, most involving underage drinking, according to the report.
In total, police issued 111 citations, the release said.
Deputy Chief Bryan Baker said the citations included "frequenting an establishment (that serves alcohol) by a minor" and "purchase and acceptance of alcohol by a minor."
Baker said because Mad Hatters has a restaurant liquor license, it is not always illegal for underage people to be there.
"With a restaurant liquor license … it requires more scrutiny," Baker said.
Baker said police also cited a member of a band performing at the bar with obstructing justice for trying to help an underage friend out of the bar during the raid.
The band member told police that the underage person was also a band member and had the underage person carry music equipment out the back of the bar.
Police did not cite the bar's owners with any violation, Baker said, adding that the city attorney typically files charges against establishments accused of serving alcohol to minors.
Owners of Mad Hatters were not available for comment Monday afternoon.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
Police cited 68 people for various alcohol-related offenses, most involving underage drinking, according to the report.
In total, police issued 111 citations, the release said.
Deputy Chief Bryan Baker said the citations included "frequenting an establishment (that serves alcohol) by a minor" and "purchase and acceptance of alcohol by a minor."
Baker said because Mad Hatters has a restaurant liquor license, it is not always illegal for underage people to be there.
"With a restaurant liquor license … it requires more scrutiny," Baker said.
Baker said police also cited a member of a band performing at the bar with obstructing justice for trying to help an underage friend out of the bar during the raid.
The band member told police that the underage person was also a band member and had the underage person carry music equipment out the back of the bar.
Police did not cite the bar's owners with any violation, Baker said, adding that the city attorney typically files charges against establishments accused of serving alcohol to minors.
Owners of Mad Hatters were not available for comment Monday afternoon.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Yeah....
posted 4/07/09 @ 6:38 PM CST
"Police did not cite the bar's owners with any violation"
-Imagine that, the owners who just so happen to be related to the mayor get off scot free. (Continued…)
Marco Santana, DEN EIC Fall '07
posted 4/07/09 @ 10:48 PM CST
What a great idea. Kudos to whoever came up with it. Nice job online!
Lowering the bar age...
posted 4/08/09 @ 2:01 AM CST
Once again, lowering the bar age to 19 would be a viable solution to this. 111 DRINKING TICKETS!!!! I see this a s an act of racketeering on the police department and City of Charleston's end. (Continued…)
Kelly
posted 4/08/09 @ 9:29 AM CST
Are they really related to the mayor? Last I heard they were just related to Jim Edgar.
Hatters
posted 4/08/09 @ 2:45 PM CST
Whatever the relation is there is definitely something going on there. The DEN should send someone to investigate this. It's a great opportunity for some real investigating, but of course nothing will happen and we will all look the other way. (Continued…)
Just a thought...
posted 4/08/09 @ 5:22 PM CST
Underagers do create more problems at bars (fights, destroying bathrooms, etc.) then people of age do; so allowing ALL 19 year olds in bars would create more work for the bar staff and the police. (Continued…)
Joe Astrouski
posted 4/08/09 @ 7:39 PM CST
I am the reporter who covered this story. I'd like to address some of the comments above, particularly the charge that owners of The Mad Hatter received preferrential treatment because they are "related to the mayor. (Continued…)
?
posted 4/27/09 @ 6:08 PM CST
Any update on the Edgar/Hatters thing or has it been successfully swept under the rug?
pj
posted 4/27/09 @ 10:56 PM CST
yep, we've got a corrupt police force in charleston...all because they try to keep 19 yr olds from being in bars. lets not blame the people really at fault here. (Continued…)
pj
posted 4/28/09 @ 4:48 PM CST
so because the doorman made a bad/stupid decision it's the owner's fault? i say fire the doorman. if underage kids weren't trying to get in the bars you wouldn't NEED doormen now would you?
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