Arrests and summonses continue to be issued to some patrons of Pompeii Lounge after they leave the club on East Tremont Avenue. While the management has promised to rein in unruly behavior, neighbors are concerned about the element the club is attracting to their quiet residential community.
Most recently, Luis Ramirez was arrested at the corner of Coddington Avenue and East Tremont Avenue, and five other people were issued summonses on Sunday, May 16 at 4:15 a.m. According to a complaint report, Ramirez was arrested after police observed him allegedly punching people, yelling, and inciting a crowd of 40 other people outside of the nightclub. Ramirez, 25, was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct.
Councilman James Vacca said he has requested that officers from the 45th Precinct be posted near the club when it lets out, and credits the precinct with good work in the Ramirez arrest.
“The captain of the 45th Precinct made a commitment to me that they would watch Pompeii when it lets out at 3:30 a.m., and it was on the basis of the police being there that they were able to see this fight and stop it,” Vacca said.
A shootout between a man believed to be a patron and an off-duty police officer on the street near the club, in front of 3165 E. Tremont Avenue on April 10, ignited a series of investigations by government agencies led by Vacca and others as to whether or not the club is in violation of any laws.
Senator Jeff Klein is taking a hard-line approach to activities at Pompeii Lounge, located at 3133 E. Tremont Avenue.
“During the past month, my office has repeatedly spoken with community leaders, NYPD detectives and State Liquor Authority officials relaying concerns and discussing the ongoing investigation into Pompeii,” said Klein. “If we find out Pompeii is in violation of the law, we will make sure the SLA acts quickly to penalize the establishment appropriately. At this time, the case remains as an open investigation and I will continue to remain in close contact with all agencies involved.”
Community Board 10 district manager Kenneth Kearns said that the shooting has galvanized the community in the blocks surrounding the club to remain increasingly vigilant about the behavior of people leaving the club, which they said has come to include frequent fights and sex in parked cars.
“The community is very upset and interested in seeing the club go away unless it complies with community standards with respect to noise and inappropriate behavior on the part of club patrons,” Kearns said. “We have let the owner know that he is in the midst of a residential community and he has to control the behavior of his clientele. We hope that they will improve.”
Kearns said that he is cautiously optimistic that the club’s owner and management will make necessary improvements and learn to live in sync with the community. While the club was given a violation by the Department of Buildings for having dancing without a cabaret license, contrary to approved plans, there have been no arrests made inside of the club.
Reach reporter Patrick Rocchio at (718) 742-3393 or procchio@cnglocal.com.
