To quash rowdiness, Craig says bars can send text warnings
A heads-up to police and other bars is similar to a system used in Las Vegas.
By Tom Bell tbell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND — Nearly half of the bars in the Old Port have embraced Police Chief James Craig's plan to tame rowdiness by using text messaging. Some owners say the vast majority of bars will eventually join the effort.
Surrounded by a group of business partners and police in Monument Square, Police Chief James Craig announces a plan to form a new partnership to deal with excessive drinkers and troublemakers in the Old Port.
Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Bartender Jeff Nappi, of the ForePlay bar on Fore Street in Portland, says the text message system will allow him to alert other bars about patrons that might be looking for trouble.
John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Additional Photos Below
Craig's strategy takes effect this weekend.
It works like this: When a bartender or a doorman encounters an unruly patron, they will use a cell phone to send a text message to other participating bars and to police officers on patrol in the district. Participants can also transmit photos.
There will be a designated phone number for all participants to use.
Craig said he's not aware of any other city in the country that has taken such an approach to alcohol-related problems.
The idea, he said, is borrowed from Las Vegas, where casinos share information about cheating gamblers.
Bar owners who plan to participate in the program said Thursday that improving safety is simply good business. "If people don't feel safe, they won't come down," said Bob Waitkevitch, owner of the Fore Play Sports Pub on Fore Street.
Jeff Nappi, a bartender at the pub, said someone who is angry but not obviously intoxicated can often slip past a doorman at one bar after being kicked out of another.
With Portland's new program, he said, he'll be able to alert other bars about someone who appears to be looking for a fight.
"Things escalate so fast when people are drinking," he said. "It's good to nip it in the bud real quick."
On weekend nights, the pub's 13 bartenders and security workers use cell phones to communicate with each other, he said.
Jeff Grundy, a bartender at nearby Bull Feeney's, said the texting program will be a big help for preventing violence.
"It would be nice to get a heads-up that someone was causing trouble somewhere," he said. "We could stop them before they walk in."
The number of participating bars grew from eight to 13 this week. There are 30 bars in the Old Port. Doug Fuss, owner of Bull Feeney's, said he expects more than 20 will join in the program.
Craig announced the plan during a news conference Thursday in Monument Square, where a Westbrook man suffered a fatal head injury in a confrontation before dawn Sunday.
William Googins, 20, of Gray is charged with manslaughter in the death of Eric Benson, 24. Some of Benson's friends and family members stood behind Craig during the news conference.
Part of the problem, Craig said, is a culture in which young men come to the Old Port to get drunk, sometimes with the intent of fighting.
Craig said his department will have a "zero tolerance" policy for all crimes in the Old Port, particularly drunken driving, public urination, assault and disorderly conduct, which includes fighting.
"Our message to those who visit the Old Port and the surrounding area to engage in fighting: You will be arrested and charged," Craig said.
This weekend, Craig said, police will also roll out newly purchased hand-held devices that allow police to scan fingerprints in the field so prints can be compared immediately with prints in a national database.
The texting idea, which police are calling the "Text-a-tip and pic" strategy, was developed about three weeks ago, during an annual pre-summer meeting attended by police, bar owners and their staffs, said Fuss.
He said staff members of several bars in the Old Port were already cooperating by calling each other. Some bar owners and police had planned to start using cell phone texting this summer.
Fuss said the new initiative expands the effort to the entire Old Port. The use of a single phone number is also new, he said.
He said organizers are using last weekend's violent incident to encourage more bars to participate.
Staff Writer Tom Bell can be contacted at 791-6369 or at:
tbell@pressherald.com
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Additional Photos
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Bartender Jeff Grundy, who works at Bull Feeney’s on Fore Street in Portland, supports a text-and-picture alert system proposed Thursday by Portland Police Chief James Craig. John Ewing/Staff Photographer |
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Portland Police Chief James Craig holds up a fingerprint device Thursday that he says will also help with heavy drinkers and troublemakers in the Old Port. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer |
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53 COMMENTS
Felix said...
GREAT IDEA, CHIEF, SOME LUNKHEAD STEROID JUNKY BOUNCER IS SURE TO QUICKLY TEXT YOU GUYS IF THINGS ARE GOING SOUTH!!!!!!!
May 28, 2010 at 1:37 AM Report abuse
Victoria said...
"Craig said he's not aware of any other city in the country that has taken such an approach to alcohol-related problems." Lite solution that'll be dead before summer. The solution to the Old Port problems must radical and ought to address the root of the problem, which is alcohol.
May 28, 2010 at 6:03 AM Report abuse
Phil04074 said...
Let me tell you, I predict there are going to be lawsuits on this one. Some food service worker who doesn't take a liking to you snaps your picture and reports you to the police and other establishments establishing a permanent data base stating that you are a trouble maker with your picture included. Where is the due process? And the portable finger print device and policy! Where is the probable cause for using that device? As Victoria said, the problem is alcohol sales. All one has to do is visit any of these very bars mentioned in the article and they will see visibly drunk patrons being asked "if they want another" by the bartender.
May 28, 2010 at 6:32 AM Report abuse
EdwardTMoore said...
I agree with Victoria. There are too many bars in the Old Port. If the city and the chief are serious about this there would be a moratorium on any new liquor licenses. Then would come much larger fines for violating the liquor laws. The fines must hurt, not just be a cost of doing business like they are with drug dealers and Big Oil. Liquor licenses should be denied, suspended and revoked according to a clear and swift process. Uncivilized and violent people like Googins should be purged from the streets. That part of the chief's plan I like. The more visible the police presence the better for the civilized citizens of Portland.
May 28, 2010 at 6:33 AM Report abuse
Knucklehead said...
Yeah this is great. It will be funny to watch the cops trying to fingerprint a belligerent drunk in front of Ri-Ra's, while all his friends surround the scene, with boos and catcalls.
May 28, 2010 at 6:48 AM Report abuse
nikonwilly said...
Odds are this turns into a civil liberties nightmare! The idea is fine and may actually help a bit, until someone abuses the power for personal retribution and then it will backfire. Why not enforce the consumption laws you have now ? Baahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
May 28, 2010 at 6:58 AM Report abuse
shakinmyhead said...
A lot of fluff for the media with little hope of making a difference. Zero tolerance and arrests for troublemakers and holding the bars accountable with license suspensions would bring better results.
May 28, 2010 at 6:59 AM Report abuse
mdenis46 said...
Hey, how about giving it a try before condemning it?
May 28, 2010 at 7:18 AM Report abuse
cooper said...
Holding the bars responsible for an individual's choice is like holding Chevrolet responsible for someone speeding in a 'Vette.
May 28, 2010 at 7:20 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
The illusion that something is being done is more important than actually doing something concrete and measurable. This is public image for the new police chief and the image of a dirty little town.
May 28, 2010 at 7:21 AM Report abuse
mainelined said...
Stupid approach to control stupid people. Close the bars at 11PM. If that doesn't reduce the violence; close them at 10PM. Then 9PM. Then 8PM. Then close them...
May 28, 2010 at 7:25 AM Report abuse
FNMYRICK said...
"cooper said... Holding the bars responsible for an individual's choice is like holding Chevrolet responsible for someone speeding in a 'Vette." Yeah, especially one with no front plate on it!
May 28, 2010 at 7:42 AM Report abuse
crackhead said...
Craig is in over his head. Its obvious
May 28, 2010 at 7:46 AM Report abuse
cooper said...
Stop it. That makes you sound like all the other whiners who post here.
May 28, 2010 at 7:48 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
I must admit to having my doubts about the wisdom of having doormen or doorwomen snapping photos with their cellphones of belligerent types. This seems like it could end up causing more trouble than it would solve. I am, unlike, some here, willing to give it a chance, but with some serious reservations.
May 28, 2010 at 7:49 AM Report abuse
dHNhaWxlcg%3D%3D said...
maybe craig can plug the whole too
May 28, 2010 at 7:50 AM Report abuse
UMalum2002 said...
Is the Oasis signed up? 7 or 8 years ago I'd hit the Old Port every weekend. I never got in a fight, but I definitely was "over served" on more than one occasion. From what I saw down there, a lot of people getting in fights were friendly with the bouncers. This is because many of the people who get in the fights are frequent patrons of the bars they're fighting in. This is a program that isn't going to work.
May 28, 2010 at 8:01 AM Report abuse
jude said...
Give it a chance, for christ sake. The only reasonable comment here was the suggestion to close bars earlier. And I'd love to see some drunks arrested for peeing in parking lots!
May 28, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
David said...
Even drunken, redneck moron in Maine descends on the Old Port on Fridays and Saturdays to get drunk, offensive, and aggressive. In the long run, improving the educational system is the best approach. But, for now, how about limiting the number of bars, having severe penalties for serving the visibly intoxicated or aggressive, and having police stationed on each block. On foot, not in squad cars.
May 28, 2010 at 8:10 AM Report abuse
YmF5Y2Fz said...
WOW This makes the Arizona laws look good. OOPS these 'victims' will mostly be white - so that makes it OK. Maybe Jesse Jackson will come to Portland to protest!!
May 28, 2010 at 8:28 AM Report abuse
YourGrammy said...
I agree with having SEVERE penalties for serving the visibly intoxicated, aggressive,or underage.But I believe the bar AND the bartender who serves them should both be severely fined! We are talking about saving lives and it maybe your childs life! 1st offence-Close the bar for 7 days -Fine the bartender $1000.. MAKE people more accountable for there actions. Start chargeing people with public intoxication, It is illegal to be in public place intoxicated. Let them sleep it off in the drunk tank maybe they would realize that its NOT OK and that they are NO different than any other drunk living,working,or playing on the streets in Portland!
May 28, 2010 at 8:49 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
While I think this is a good idea, it is only as good as those who WILL participate. The bad actors bars( the ones doing the over serving and serving the underage) won't participate. And how would this have prevented the GOOGINS problem?? It wouldn't!! Worth trying BUT IT IS a feel good solution instead of the needed one: SHUTTING DOWN THE VIOLATORS!!!In this case; OAQSIS!!!
May 28, 2010 at 8:59 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Holding the bars responsible for an individual's choice is like holding Chevrolet responsible for someone speeding in a 'Vette." Except over serving and serving to those underage is ILLEGAL, selling a vette isn't, DUFUS! Nice try though.
May 28, 2010 at 9:03 AM Report abuse
SL said...
Lets see. Hey, before you punch that guy could I get your picture? Hey, before you grope that lady or make comments to her, could I get your picture? Hey, before....oh damn a fight just broke out in the bathroom.
May 28, 2010 at 9:25 AM Report abuse
tacodon said...
The bouncers at some of these bars are the ones CAUSING the fights. Oasis & Asylum both employ gang members & drug dealers as bouncers. Let's shut them down and clean up this town!
May 28, 2010 at 9:25 AM Report abuse
BenHarrison said...
HUMM well since this is a reaction to the events of last Saturday early Sunday, How about we go back to basics Like DON'T SERVE UNDERAGE PATRONS!!!
May 28, 2010 at 9:33 AM Report abuse
Bobby said...
If it prevents one punch and one death it will have been worth it.
May 28, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Bigger warning labels on drinking cups? More warning signs? Get a real mayor in Portland, FAST!
May 28, 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse
Iwatch said...
Yeah Right! This is about to happen. It is always the bottom line for these bars.
May 28, 2010 at 10:33 AM Report abuse
RobJon said...
At least theyre trying something rather than just sitting around doing nothing about it. Youre all so negative about everything. I dont see any of you going out trying to make a difference in this city that you all seem so opinionated about.
May 28, 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse
Hawkeye9909 said...
Alcohol isn't the problem, people abusing alcohol are the problem. You can close all the bars in the Old Port and the problem still won't go away....it will just go to another neighborhood.
May 28, 2010 at 10:39 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Hopefully next to YOU hawkeye.
May 28, 2010 at 10:50 AM Report abuse
Hawkeye9909 said...
You're a true hero henryelm, don't waste any effort trying to solve the problem when you can just push it off to somebody else.
May 28, 2010 at 11:29 AM Report abuse
Murray said...
Might as well try it.
May 28, 2010 at 11:47 AM Report abuse
TheTruth74 said...
This Chief must be a laughing stock in the Old Port right now, bar owners make their $ off of over-serving chief! No one is going to go to a bar if they hear they're friend got hassled by the PPD for having a few drinks and staying out of trouble... Not enough arrests in Portland for you chief? maybe it's time to go back to LA. I'm pretty sure Portland has a disproportionate amount of police brutality complaints for a town of 60,000. The truth is a lot of guys become cops in Portland 'cause they want the chance to beat people up when they're cuffed and defenseless. The only person that's gonna benefit from this assinine plan is attorney Dan Lilley. Do we have another Media Mike on our hands?
May 28, 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse
FormerRep said...
Yesterday the unknowing and uneducated were whining about more restrictive and pro active policing, today Chief Craig announces an idea that will act as a force multiplier and the same people have the same complaints about him: any pattern seen here?
May 28, 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse
RnVuaw%3D%3D said...
Most of what I read here is a bunch of negative comments. Are most of you really that sad and pathetic that all you do is site on this site and complain and offer your 2 cents. Maybe you should stop complaining and do something about the issues you have. It's easy for people to hide behind their computers and offer their opinions and 'solutions'.
May 28, 2010 at 12:36 PM Report abuse
Jeff19 said...
mdenis46, You know why people here dont want to give it a chance.... They are all smarter than the Police Chief. They all know how to take care of everyone elses problems. They are all knowing.
May 28, 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse
meta5 said...
I have gone to Mardi Gras twice and although it was very wild, you only needed to be told once. Courts back up the cops, too. We could do that here. Let some 22 year old (or mom and Dad) drop $2000 on a lawyer a little more often and things will improve.
May 28, 2010 at 12:57 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
victim donation jars; warning labels on beer glasses; frisk all patrons; combo taser and cell phone;
May 28, 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse
crackhead said...
this guy craig is a complete joke. Get portland under control or Ride your sorry ass corvette back to LA. you are a phony. stop the photo ops and the gimmicks and just do your friggin job. thats what the taxpayer pay you to do.
May 28, 2010 at 1:05 PM Report abuse
watchdog1111 said...
This approach will not work. Other cities have tried it and found it to be——at best——minimally effective. The only thing it does is prevent someone who is already wasted from getting into other bars. In other words, now they are going to be walking around the streets, drunk AND pissed off because they've been banned from the bars. Its a recipe for disaster.
May 28, 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse
Beemeup said...
While we're cleaning up the streets of Portland, can we move along the panhandlers too? I went out for lunch today and ran across 4 of them on Congress St., 3 parked on the ground begging for money and holding signs and one who just walked up to me and asked me for money. I also encountered a guy selling cheap jewelry from a bench near the bus stop. Welcome to Portland, Maine trying really hard to become NYC.
May 28, 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
For Axel I hope that you never have to set foot in this "dirty little town" I would not want you to besmirch that vast intellect of yours. I applaud the Chief for trying something innovative. Now the City council has to try something innovative and add police support and toughen up the laws on drunkeness.
May 28, 2010 at 2:50 PM Report abuse
brightOne said...
"But I believe the bar AND the bartender who serves them should both be severely fined!" - - - - - well they can get into some deep doodoo now if they willfully serve obviously intoxicated patrons. So there's the motive to make the list. They'll reduce their liability if they create a list that works. I think it would be fun to bomb the Old Port with a facebook meetup with thousands of kids acting unruly and, well, intoxicated like, and see how they handle it.
May 28, 2010 at 3:25 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
I'm guessing that the reports of unruly patrons will include a fair number of people who didn't give a big enough tip, or who actually dared to complain that the beer they ordered 30 ago arrived warm, and it wasn't what they ordered in the first place (think Gritty's).
May 28, 2010 at 4:56 PM Report abuse
rushme said...
LOOK ITS NAPPI!!!
May 28, 2010 at 6:22 PM Report abuse
barrylincoln said...
once jeff nappi stops fighting people in the old port, the general population will follow.
May 28, 2010 at 7:11 PM Report abuse
null said...
I have to agree with the fact that asking bouncers and bartenders to text each other in response to aggressive customers is just plain silly. When the clown brigade is 5-8 deep and people are screaming at each other to be be heard over the din of the crowd and music, I doubt that the administration will be able to whip out it's iPhone and zap out a text that will be of any use. "Red shirt, Sox hat, trouble"....yeah that's going to stem the flow of trouble on Fore St. And, the last time I checked, most of the fights may well originate from encounters inside of a bar, but the fights themselves almost always take place outside. Chief, you're a great guy, but this is a really dumb idea.
May 28, 2010 at 7:43 PM Report abuse
rushme said...
Police Chief James Craig holds up a fingerprint device Thursday that he says will also help with heavy drinkers and troublemakers in the Old Port.......OKAY Picture this your a bouncer and your throwing out a unruly drunk. The fastest and quietest way is the best way.....but under the chiefs idea you have to stop and do a fingerprint scan of the unruly patron! Yeah I see that happening like I see Joe Soley giving his tenants a free month of rent!.....AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN!!! Nice Chief! Replace the all the OP Bouncers with Cops for a month, then see the outcome.
May 29, 2010 at 2:16 AM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
This is fascinating. I hope the press continues to report on how this unfolds. Will the nature of clients who continue to frequent the bars that participate show a change? Will the ones who want only to get drunk and punch someone out all go to the non-participating bars, leaving the other bars with quiet clientele who drink and have fun, but don't cause a rumpus? It could work out well for all involved. People who want a quiet evening can go to one set of bars, people who want to get rowdy can go to another. The police will know which bars need more monitoring and can basically sit outside the 'rowdy' bars, waiting to pick off the drunks.
May 29, 2010 at 10:43 AM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
This program also gives me a giggle. Officer Patty of NYC circa 1940 would just knock some drunk over the head with a night stick and drag him home to an angry wife for due punishment. I wonder how Officer Patty would think about police working through texting. Gosh, so very much has changed, it makes me duzzy to think about it.
May 29, 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse
frankmargel said...
Close the bars at eleven on the weekends! Everyone that wants to get drunk after that will have to find another place to party, like their home. Just do it and watch the crime rate plummet in Portland. Once citizens begin to drink responsibly reassess the situation. Leadership! The distribution of alcohol in bars and clubs is regulated by the state! Do something! Leadership!
May 29, 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse