At last months council meeting Morrisville Chief of Police George McClay cited recent issues at a business in a residential district, seeking guidance on how to proceed, citing public safety issues.
McClay during his monthly report to council said the business located at 630 Crown Street is becoming a problem – the Nebula Hooka Lounge Multiple fights there recently and its starting to escalate, the chief said.
I’m just afraid the violence is going to escalate there and these fistfights are going to turn to gunfights.” said McClay.
McClay said he sent a memo to the Mayor Dave Rivella and council members on the issue.
“That is a business that does not work in a residential area” he said.
Council members discussed the issue for a short while, with some seeking an immediate fix, however that discussion was tampered down in tone when when borough solicitor Scott Holcomb said borough officials were very much aware of the issue and were in the process of performing their due diligence for coming up with possible resolutions.
Morrisville in recent years, has earned court victories with businesses violating local ordinances, such as a recovery house operating “illegally” on North Delmoor Avenue and a private home that came to be known as “The Party House” which was a private home owned by Morrisville resident Jean Augustin in which parties were held weekly.
“Neighbors should continue calling the police to report issues. The Manager, Solicitor, and Code Enforcement will work with the Police Chief and police reports to document issues and develop a paper trail to support whatever they can do within the confines of Borough ordinances and Pennsylvania law to bring the business either into compliance or have it shut down through the Court system. It will take time, it’s not a fast process, and with the Court system backed up more than normal due to Covid, residents need to be patient. It’s taken years to fix other issues through the Court system and I expect this situation to follow the same course” said Councilman Justin Bowers, who represents the ward which the hookah bar resides in.
McClay said last month police responded to approximately 25 complaints since January involving the business.
Borough officials declined to information pertaining the number of community complaints and code violations, f any, have been given to the owner of the popular night spot.
Owners of the business did not return requests for comment from the publication.
J
Georgia Cinq-Mars Tashjian
May 10, 2021 at 10:30 am
Thank you for the update! Did the Mayor make any comments?
I wonder if the establishment could pay for their own security or be charged for using MPD as their own personal security. Should the tax payers have to pay for what it costs to keep a place like that open and safe?
Ralph
May 10, 2021 at 12:01 pm
Nebula Hookah Lounge has never reported any type of fights in the facility to the police department since the time we have been opened. We have three security guards that make sure nobody comes in with weapons checking Ids and making sure everything is under control. Most of those 25 complaints are coming from a racist neighbor that has issues with us being foreign. He calls for no reason most of the time. Nebula Hookah lounge has been working with the neighbors by cutting our hours and days of operations. We are not doing anything illegal and again we have never reported any type of fights or issues in our facility. Thank you!
Jeff Bohen
May 14, 2021 at 11:25 am
Raplh, they don’t have to be “reported” by the lounge. Anyone in the proximity of the business for example can. Have a nice day.
Kathy
April 29, 2024 at 6:46 pm
So Ralph, if I crossed the river at 2 or 3 in the morning, went to your family’s home revved my car, blasted loud music, smashed bottles and threw trash everywhere, urinated and vomited in your parent’s garden, blew my horn, drunkenly stomped your mother’s flowers, would you be a racist for complaining about it? Calling others racist does not excuse your lack of common consideration for the rights of others in your ongoing flagrant disregard.