You are reading

NYPD to Crack Down on Bars in Astoria and LIC That let Patrons Congregate

Stock: Pexels

May 28, 2020 By Allie Griffin

The city is sending more police officers to patrol the bars and restaurants in Astoria and Long Island City to enforce social distancing.

The mayor said that the two neighborhoods are among nine “bar-heavy” districts across the five boroughs that will see more cops.

Last week Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed to crack down on bars on the Upper East Side, where crowds were seen forming on sidewalks outside bars as patrons got refills on their to-go drinks. He announced today that the NYPD is expanding its area of focus.

Officers are being tasked with breaking up any de-facto sidewalk parties formed by residents picking up to-go cocktails and food outside bars.

“We’re not going to tolerate people starting to congregate. It’s as simple as that,” de Blasio said.

Today, the mayor identified the “bar-heavy” areas where officers from the NYPD and Sheriff’s Office will target to prevent gatherings.

The list of targeted neighborhoods– in addition to Astoria and Long Island City–include the East Village, West Village, Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Hell’s Kitchen and City Island.

De Blasio said the city won’t allow New Yorkers to create “de-facto outdoor seating or de facto parties” outside bars.

“The idea is if you go to a restaurant, a bar, it’s for takeout — keep moving,” de Blasio said Friday. “We’re not doing congregating, we’re not doing gatherings.”

(NYC Office of Night Life)

The city’s Office of Nightlife is also working with bars and restaurants, advising them of the rules.

The office has provided guidelines for bars and restaurants. The office prohibits these establishments from putting out tables, chairs or benches outside the storefronts for customer use.

New York City’s open container law also prohibits people from drinking alcohol in public places like city sidewalks and parks.

“The message is as simple as it could be — take out, don’t hang out,” de Blasio said Friday.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
V. Dayan

How about getting the 114th Precinct cops to stop hoods from destroying Astoria by giving summonses to earsplitting motorcycle bums who roar around at all hours? People who r paying high rents don’t appreciate the eardrum shattering noise & we want motorcycle bums out. The fact that cops love fraternizing with these narcissistic jerks in Socrates Park means they dont have courtesy and respect for others. Too many people already suffering with Cov19 r suffering further with unnecessary noise on 25th Ave & 44th St. Too many immature narcissists in Astoria r disturbing decent working people and sick ones. Give them enough summonses
these pests WILL DISAPPEAR. It’s all a violation of NY State law and EPA law. So why r they all getting away with it including cops?

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Twenty people indicted in Queens-based $4.6M vehicle theft ring after three-year probe: DA

Twenty individuals were indicted and variously charged in a wide-ranging scheme to steal cars in Queens, throughout New York City and its suburbs, following a three-year investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, and the New York State Police dubbed “Operation Hellcat,” into the criminal enterprise based in Queens.

Some of the vehicles were stolen from owners’ driveways, some with the keys or key fobs inside. The stolen vehicles were often sold through advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The defendants are charged in nine separate indictments for a total of 373 counts, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Thursday.

Masked gunman robs Total Wireless store in Flushing, steals $6K: NYPD

Police from the 109th Precinct in Flushing are looking for a masked gunman who pulled off an armed robbery at a cell phone store on the night of Monday, May 5.

The suspect entered the Total Wireless shop located in the old Hua Cheng Restaurant at 41-19 Kissena Blvd., across the street from the Queens Public Library branch, just before 7 p.m. He approached the counter, pulled out a firearm, and threatened the 27-year-old woman who was working the night shift, police said Wednesday.